Our situation

[Izumisano 0]

I'm an American, and my girlfriend is Japanese (we are staying in Japan). We weren't planning on doing this for a while, but she just got pregnant so we've decided to speed up our marriage plans. We haven't decided which country to live in for the next year, but it very well might be America, we we are preparing for that now.

There are some complications.. we were planning to go to grad school and her applications are all finished, plus obviously, she is pregnant. Can anyone tell me how those facts might affect our visa process? I'd be really grateful if anyone could help out...

[Medieval 0]

I'm an American, and my girlfriend is Japanese (we are staying in Japan). We weren't planning on doing this for a while, but she just got pregnant so we've decided to speed up our marriage plans. We haven't decided which country to live in for the next year, but it very well might be America, we we are preparing for that now.

There are some complications.. we were planning to go to grad school and her applications are all finished, plus obviously, she is pregnant. Can anyone tell me how those facts might affect our visa process? I'd be really grateful if anyone could help out...

If you have been living in Japan for at least 6 months, then you can apply for DCF, that would be a very speedy path, however that applies only to I-130 "petition for a spouse". If you're getting married soon, you may want to consider this option.

My humble opinion!!

[Dakine 26]

There are some complications.. we were planning to go to grad school and her applications are all finished, plus obviously, she is pregnant.

Can't see how they would effect your petition at all. If nothing else being pregnant would support you guys having a bonafide marriage.

You won't have to worry about the child as it will be a US Citizen as long as you report the birth to the USE there.

Edited November 20, 2007 by Haole

[Jigi 0]

Hi,

Marry your girlfriend...... Apply for DCF.... get int ouch with US Embassy in Japan and meet them in person for all the paperwork you will require to do DCF. You will have to mainly see about your taqx returns in USA. I dont have much knowledge of DCF fillings. May be couples who have done DCF filing will help you out in that to what paperwork to prepare and what precautions to do

God bless you

Jigi

[Izumisano 0]

I'm very grateful for everyone's reply -- thanks! It's quite reassuring to know we shouldn't encounter any extra bumps. Just to be clear, I know about the I-130, but what is the DCF? And, is there a possibility I will have to go to the States to do any paperwork before she comes, or can everything be done in Japan?

[djturbo 0]

Hi,

Marry your girlfriend...... Apply for DCF.... get int ouch with US Embassy in Japan and meet them in person for all the paperwork you will require to do DCF. You will have to mainly see about your taqx returns in USA. I dont have much knowledge of DCF fillings. May be couples who have done DCF filing will help you out in that to what paperwork to prepare and what precautions to do

God bless you

Jigi

GOOD ADVISE JIGI!!

[pushbrk 13,069]

I'm very grateful for everyone's reply -- thanks! It's quite reassuring to know we shouldn't encounter any extra bumps. Just to be clear, I know about the I-130, but what is the DCF? And, is there a possibility I will have to go to the States to do any paperwork before she comes, or can everything be done in Japan?

DCF is Direct Consular Filing. Check the "Guides" for the basic information. If you qualify for Direct Consular Filing, you can do everything in Japan. When you contact the Consulate, don't use the term DCF. They won't know what it means either. It's just an abreviation used on visa discussion groups.

[Izumisano 0]

Ok, thanks.

I have another question -- my fiance and I probably cannot afford to have a wedding ceremony in Japan, where they are very expensive (her brother's last weekend cost $30K). If we don't have wedding photos, are we less likely to get her visa approved? I remember reading that they are very important.

[Beauty for Ashes 257]

Ok, thanks.

I have another question -- my fiance and I probably cannot afford to have a wedding ceremony in Japan, where they are very expensive (her brother's last weekend cost $30K). If we don't have wedding photos, are we less likely to get her visa approved? I remember reading that they are very important.

take alot of romantic photos with her in a a dress... SHES PREGNANT.. I am sure that will be OBVIOUS at the interview... LOL...

Dont kick yourself about photos... LOL

[Goldtrom 0]

You can't file DCF unless you are in the military... Why is everyone telling him to do that????

BTW, I'm in the exact same situation. My GF got pregnant... we got married last month, and now I've been waiting for over 1 month for ANYTHING to come back from USCIS.

If you want to see the birth of you child, stay in Japan. The USCIS is hopeless....

I will quote from the Japanese embassy page:

http://tokyo.usembassy.gov/e/acs/tacs-7114a.html

"Immigration procedures start when you, the U.S. citizen spouse, file an immigrant petition (I-130) for your foreign spouse with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). Until recently, it was possible to have these petitions approved at the Embassy, but due to recent legislation they must now be approved by a USCIS office before you can begin the visa application process. Since the I-130 does not expire, and this change in the petition process will likely add to the amount of time required to obtain an immigrant visa for your spouse, we urge couples to start as soon as possible after their marriage, even if you do not have any immediate plans to live in America."

Now I just saw this:

http://tokyo.usembassy.gov/e/visa/tvisa-ivgeneral.html

But it contradicts the other page... Maybe you should call the embassy and find out which one is correc

"Important Notice

Effective immediately, the consular sections of the American Embassy in Tokyo and the American Consulate General in Naha will accept family-based I-130 petitions filed by American citizens who have been resident in Japan for at least the preceding 6 months. "

[dbzman 0]

You can't file DCF unless you are in the military... Why is everyone telling him to do that????

BTW, I'm in the exact same situation. My GF got pregnant... we got married last month, and now I've been waiting for over 1 month for ANYTHING to come back from USCIS.

If you want to see the birth of you child, stay in Japan. The USCIS is hopeless....

I will quote from the Japanese embassy page:

http://tokyo.usembassy.gov/e/acs/tacs-7114a.html

"Immigration procedures start when you, the U.S. citizen spouse, file an immigrant petition (I-130) for your foreign spouse with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). Until recently, it was possible to have these petitions approved at the Embassy, but due to recent legislation they must now be approved by a USCIS office before you can begin the visa application process. Since the I-130 does not expire, and this change in the petition process will likely add to the amount of time required to obtain an immigrant visa for your spouse, we urge couples to start as soon as possible after their marriage, even if you do not have any immediate plans to live in America."

Now I just saw this:

http://tokyo.usembassy.gov/e/visa/tvisa-ivgeneral.html

But it contradicts the other page... Maybe you should call the embassy and find out which one is correc

"Important Notice

Effective immediately, the consular sections of the American Embassy in Tokyo and the American Consulate General in Naha will accept family-based I-130 petitions filed by American citizens who have been resident in Japan for at least the preceding 6 months. "

I believe that you can file in Japan as long as you meet the residence requirements. It is not necessary that you be in the military. They understand that some people will be in Japan for long periods of time other than for military service.

All of the information is on the Tokyo Consulate website.

If you decide to call Tokyo there is a fee to ask immigration related questions.

I am by no means an expert but my wife and I were all set to file DCF and then got hit by the Adam Walsh thing. We had researched this a little before that happened and we believed that we could file in Tokyo even though I live in the US.

As far as what you will need to prove a relationship:

1. Do you have any bills/bank accounts together?

2. Do you have a rental/housing agreement with both names on it?

3. Anything that shows joint co-habitation and a relationship.

Wedding photos do not have to be professionally done. They can be taken with your own camera.

I met my Japanese wife in June of 2006 and we married in April 2007. The pictures that I sent (wedding and honeymoon) to the USCIS were sufficient to prove our relationship was legitimate. I think that since she is your girlfriend and is pregnant that you can come up with enough evidence to prove a relationship exists.

Good Luck!!!

[Scorpiankh 0]

One other thing to take into account, some airlines don't allow pregnant women to fly while they are in the last trimester of pregnancy. So if you want to be in the US before the baby is born you'll need to get onto things asap, get married and get the DCF started otherwise it'll likely you will have to stay in Japan until after the baby is born whether you want to or not.

As for weddings, they don't have to be expensive if you use your noodle and get a little bit creative. They can be expensive if you want all the trimmings but that doesn't mean a cheap wedding can be any less beautiful than an expensive one. The most beautiful wedding I've ever been to only cost $200.

I'm currently planning my wedding for early next year (ok i'm already married, but we never had a nice ceremony, got married in a courthouse in Texas, and my family wasn't there to see) I picked up my dress on sale for $40, the wedding will be at my parents house in their garden, the reception will be on the deck, we're growing all the flowers ourselves, and the wedding guests will be asked NOT to bring presents (cuz I can't afford to take much over to the US with us when we go) but to bring some food instead. Luckily for me, my aunty is a professional photographer and will do the photos for us, but even if she wasn't my mum has a pretty good camera and can take nice photos. A wedding isn't about how much money you spend, it's about your love for each other and sharing that with the people you care about.

[rjp44 1]

During this past summer, the U.S. Dept of State changed their rules and began accepting DCFs again. If you decide to stay in Japan for now, it may also affect you that if you have been married for 2 years, you can apply for a Permanent Resident Visa and don't have to go through applying to remove conditions.

[Dylan'sWife 2]

Ok, thanks.

I have another question -- my fiance and I probably cannot afford to have a wedding ceremony in Japan, where they are very expensive (her brother's last weekend cost $30K). If we don't have wedding photos, are we less likely to get her visa approved? I remember reading that they are very important.

The photos don't need to be professional quality that you would use for picture over the mantel, just a shot or two oon the wedding day and ones you her and the extended family will suffice.

They may or may not ask for pictures, it varies.

However, if your child will be born in Japan and you are planning to have your child be given US citizenship via you, it's best you get married before the birth. The tend be more suspicious of paternity when the couple isn't married.

[Izumisano 0]

We were planning to get married in Japan, but maybe just at City Hall... trying to think of ways to put together an affordable ceremony here. We do have an apartment in both our names, and will have the baby here too. Probably not going to the States until August. And just like Scorpainkh's suggestions we will have a very nice, cheap ceremony there!