Interview for CR-1 @ Tokyo

[Ring Ring 0]

I went thru an interview for CR-1 @ US embassy in Tokyo.

I will post the facts first to avoid info congestion,

then add some tips or my feelings if you are interested.

Hope this thread gives someone having interview some

hints and ideas to get well prepared for their interview.

Thank You.

Ring Ring - Japanese Wife

married Ling Ling in Japan in 2007.

[Ring Ring 0]

Our Visa Journey

2006-11-01: Met online

2007-01-28: Met in person in Paris

2007-10-02: Married in Tokyo

2008-07-05: I-130 Sent

2008-08-13: NOA2 I-130

2008-10-02: Case Complete at NVC

2008-11-04: Interview - CR-1 Visa APPROVED

2008-10-21: Last time together - (in Tokyo)

2008-11-??: Next time together - (in Chicago...with CR-1 visa)

Ling Ling n Ring Ring

[Ring Ring 0]

Tokyo, Japan / NOV 04, 2008

7:40

left my place. (Ebisu, Shibuyaku, Tokyo)

8:00

got off from a cab @ 3 blocks away from US embassy.

usually within a radius of about 500 meters from

US embassy is kinda restriction area. Japanese policemen

are standing at every corner and ask you for your ID and

purpose of going there.

8:05

called Ling Ling.

8:15

arrived @ US embassy, showed my ID and got in a line for

security check.

got a basket, put ALL electric devices in it.

cellphone, music player...

8:17

There were 6 people in front of me. there is a small room

for security check and saw a few people were already being

checked.

8:20

Went thru security check point w no problem.

Went to a reception desk, they had my name and gave me

a form and clear case to file doc.

Noticed my interview is for CR-1.

Got my paging number. #207. I think the first person got #200

or #201.

8:25

Got a chair, filled out the form. My name, address, phone number,

address / phone number in the US. The form also tells us to place

documents in order. #1 : 2x passport picts, #2: passport.........

I already filed most of doc, so I just put my picts, passport,

ExPack* and med doc + Xray.

Xray and med were in a huge envelope so actually I could not put

that in the clear file... It's about 12"x12", so I had it in my record vinyl

bag, perfect size.

8:30

First 5 numbers got called.

There were five counters and 4 of them were closed at that point.

8:40

My number got called.

Went to counter #4 and the staff (Japanese) made sure I had all the

doc I needed.

At first, she could not find the doc I already fined @ NVC.

My husband already confirmed and gave the date and person's name

who signed. Oct 17 by DHL arrived @ US embassy in Tokyo.,,

She asked her boss and took my doc from a drawer. (whew...)

She told me to go back and wait.

8:48

Went to counter #3 and got my fingerprints scanned by American staff.

All ten fingers. Then took seat again.

9:25

Went to counter #8 for INTERVIEW!

An American staff (lady in her 40s I suppose) asked me some questions

like Ling Ling wrote the other day.

didn't have to show them proof of relationship...

She smiled and said congratulations, and gave me a sheet of paper.

I didn't understand at first but she said congratulations so oh I'm getting

visa!

10:00

Went back to security and pick up my phone and such, and left.

Called Ling Ling - hubbiE on the way to metro station.

I was excited without knowing or something and took wrong street...

Arrived at station and took metro going back to my place.

I noticed, that paper, both sides printed she handed it to me this side up,

Portuguese and Spanish... flipped over then I found English and Japanese!

and it says...

"You have completed the interview portion of your application and visa has been approved."

I had big smile on my face.

[Ring Ring 0]

[interview Day] EXPACK

No matter what doc you've already filed,

I think every applicant is required to bring Expack500.

It is self-stamped (stamp is printed) envelope, 500yen.

It has tracking number and treated as registered mail.

DO NOT peel off the sticker with tracking #,

it is for Sender-US embassy, not yours.

WRITE DOWN the tracking # so you can check how soon

you'll get your passport back. (with VISA)

Japan Post / Track & Trace Service in English

http://tracking.post.japanpost.jp/service/...0.jsp?locale=en

[Ring Ring 0]

[interview Day] EXPACK

Japan Post / Track & Trace Service in English

http://tracking.post.japanpost.jp/service/...0.jsp?locale=en

here's mine,,,

Date: Nov 5, 16:08

Posting/Collection : AKASAKA Branch, Tokyo metropolis

Date: Nov 5, 18:00

En route : SHINTOKYO Branch, Tokyo metropolis <<<whattt? it's going further from my place!!

Date: Nov 5, 23:04

Processing at delivery Post Office SHIBUYA Branch <<< whew, now it's getting close!!!

[Shpat_Argjira 0]

Congrats to the both of you, and thanks for the additional info.

Well organized.

[Ring Ring 0]

[interview Day] EXPACK

Japan Post / Track & Trace Service in English

http://tracking.post.japanpost.jp/service/...0.jsp?locale=en

here's mine,,,

Date: Nov 5, 16:08

Posting/Collection : AKASAKA Branch, Tokyo metropolis

Date: Nov 5, 18:00

En route : SHINTOKYO Branch, Tokyo metropolis <<<whattt? it's going further from my place!!

Date: Nov 5, 23:04

Processing at delivery Post Office SHIBUYA Branch <<< whew, now it's getting close!!!

[Ring Ring 0]

Congrats to the both of you, and thanks for the additional info.

Well organized.

Thank You, "Shpat Argjira"!!

though you are not having an interview in Tokyo,,,

am wishing you two good luck from here

ooops sorry for posting same thing twice.(#7)

[Ring Ring 0]

[interview Room]

Actually there is no such thing,,, I mean,

you just stand at counter and talk with embassy staff thru

glass with microphone which is already set there,

like currency exchange booth!?

There are 10 counters, and 6 of them

were open at 8:30am and later they had 8 open.

There is a small space at counter where you can

slide doc, and it is about 3cm high and 25cm wide.

[Ring Ring 0]

[Waiting Room] [Photo]

There is room with about 75 chairs facing torward

the interview counter,

5 chairs X 5 lows X three, and some more by the wall.

There is Photo Machine for those who forgot bringing

passport picts. costs 1,000yen, get pict taken wait for

30 sec, you have picts!

They have a few pict cutter there.

Those two passport size picts you turn in, are used

for VISA pict, so make sure you like your pict!

[Proof of Relationship]

I didn't have to show them any though I had

some picts and phone bills ready.

I could slide the huge envelope including X-ray,

but I don't think you can slide a thick photo album.

But I noticed the lady staff was checking out

my ring.

[u2rsobad 0]

Congratulations!! You can also copy your post above on the link for embassy reviews, that's what we did.

You're lucky to live so close to the embassy. My husband and I used to live in Saitama, Iruma-shi. I have a few friends that live in Shibuya. At least we didn't have to travel from some where in the Tohoku region

Congrats again!!

[sasha414 0]

congratulations ! and thank you for this info, you kinda reminded me to wear my ring to the interview

[Ring Ring 0]

Congratulations!! You can also copy your post above on the link for embassy reviews, that's what we did.

You're lucky to live so close to the embassy. My husband and I used to live in Saitama, Iruma-shi. I have a few friends that live in Shibuya. At least we didn't have to travel from some where in the Tohoku region

Congrats again!!

Domo arigato and thank you so much.

I will take a tour thru Visa Journey again and post above tomorrow.

Saitama is right next to Tokyo. If I lived in my hometown Fukuoka,

it would be harder and more expensive...

[vsmtghdy 2]

Congrats to both of you and thanks for sharing your interview experience.

[Ring Ring 0]

congratulations ! and thank you for this info, you kinda reminded me to wear my ring to the interview

Thank You!!

since I went to the interview by myself,

I was feeling alone, but looking at my ring

and thinking about what my husband had said

right before interview, I started feeling alright.

Yes, please do wear your ring to interview.