US Immigration from Japan

Hi Everyone,

I am sure this question has been asked many times before, but I wasn't able to find a thread for it, so I apologize in advance.

I'm currently living and working in the United States.

My fianc currently lives in Japan.

We have been dating for about 6 months, and we have met in person several times, but we are not yet married.

My fianc will be visiting me in the United States on a tourist visa some time in March or April and staying for about 3 months.

We want to apply for the CR1 Visa as soon as possible.

I want to know how and when we should get married so that the process goes as smoothly as possible.

For example, should we get married when she visits me on the tourist visa? She will be returning to her home country after about 3 months regardless.

In this case, would it be possible to begin the CR1 Visa application while she is still in the United States on a tourist visa? Or should we wait until she is back home in Japan before filing.

Alternatively, should we have a virtual marriage while she is still in Japan, so that I can apply for the CR1 Visa before she visits me on a tourist visa?

Finally, it would be possible for me to visit her in Japan to get married there before applying for the CR1, although that would be the most difficult and expensive option.

I appreciate any advice on the subject.

Thank you,

Eric

PS: We are open to applying for the K1 Visa as well, but I heard that they take about the same amount of time to process, so the CR1 Visa seems to be more advantageous (cheaper overall, can being working immediately, etc).

Hello everyone!

My wife (Japanese citizen) and myself (U.S. citizen) just received our email confirmation from NVC last night that her IR1 visa interview at the embassy in Tokyo has been scheduled! The interview is scheduled in 2 months (mid-April) and we are starting the process now for the additional pre-interview requirements.

My main question is about health insurance. My understanding is that the consular officer will ask for either proof of enrolled insurance (either purchase in advance or be enrolled on a spouse's employer insurance) or be able to show proof you will be enrolling in insurance right away once arriving in the U.S. It seems having insurance lined up prior to the interview is the safest option. Is that accurate?

Unfortunately, since I, the sponsor, am also currently living in Japan with my wife, I do not have existing medical insurance in the U.S. from an employer that my wife can be enrolled in prior to the interview. So, I think it may be better to try to line up insurance for her before we go to the interview. I've been digging around and have found some articles (one example below), but I'm not sure if this website can be trusted.

Does anyone have any feedback about our situation and/or any trusted recommendations we can look at in terms of arranging health insurance in advance?

Article
https://www.***removed***.com/immigrant-visa-medical-insurance/

Insbuy "Health Insurance For Non US Citizens To The USA"

https://www.***removed***.com/new-immigrant-insurance/

Thanks so much!

My wife and I are trying to understand how to navigate the visa process and are struggling.

Context

I started a job in the US this month and have already moved back to the U.S. ( I was not aware that moving for a job made us eligible for Direct Consular Filing and now it is too late).

My wife (Japanese) and 2 children (Dual Citizens) are living in Japan.

Married a little over 4 years (married in Japan, no U.S. marriage certificate)

Question 1

My wife's mother is divorced and remarried (now separated but legally still married to the second spouse). The Japanese family registry lists both her birth father and her mother's new husband. New husband appears to be listed as an adoptive father and both my wife and her mother took the new husband's family name.

- Which father's information gets entered on I-130a Page 2 Part 1 - Information About Parent 2?

Question 2

Page 6, Part 7 requests an item number for adding additional information.

- Should I enter Page 2 Part 1 Item Number 17.a for the information and then type all of the second father's information in the space below?

Question 3

Typing into the pdf in Adobe prohibits a hyphen in the address line. Using chrome to type into the the pdf allows a hyphen.

- Will we run into problems by using chrome to bypass the block in the original document?

- Should we instead write the address in full in Part 7?

A few weeks ago I posted about the issue of them demanding my W-2/1099/Schedule form.

W-2 was not available as I worked abroad, but I did have a 1099 form as a twitch streamer on the side, and my schedule form was included in my whole tax return I uploaded. I also then submitted documentation and explanation about the circumstances.

It was accepted, but then I was harassed about proof of having an American permanent address for two weeks. Which was listed on my tax return, 1099, my DL, and all was rejected. But, finally, today they accepted my bank statement with my address for domicile.

But guess what? I got another review note yet again asking for my 1099 and Schedule form. -_-.

I already explained I sent all of my 1099 for 2023. Which was just one. And explained where my schedule form was (scroll down a couple pages on the tax return, it's right there due to me using a service).

This seems like a merry-go-round and is there anyone above the inquiry line we can go to? I keep asking why this happens to them as well and all I get is "we are reviewing"

As per this forum rules I really want to avoid the snark I wanna say, but this makes no sense.

Hello members. I am currently working in the US with my E-2 visa with my 2 children (18 and 16yrs-old). I am going to get married with an American citizen and will apply for the green card for me and my children.

My question is

1. Does my partner have to take a stepparent adoption to my children in order for them to apply for the green card?

2. Can I quit my job which supports my E-2, and stay in legally US after marriage (while applying the green cards)

Thank you