Tymotal

We paid the fee and will wait for the GC in the mail. Looks like some of the documents the embassy gave my wife were dated 2022 and are not current, which was the source of our confusion. Looking back at the photos of all the documents, the proper info was listed on her visa packet that she gave to the border agent upon arriving in the US, so this was our mistake. Tough that we will have to wait even longer for the GC (hopefully the next administration won't slow things down come January 20) but happy that it is now resolved nonetheless.

I just got off the phone with USCIS, who's letter asked me to contact their help center if we are unsure what our A-number of DOS Case ID number is... and they said that I need to contact the DOS for those. I have reviewed the documents my wife received from the embassy and sure enough they did not provide her with information about this. I am fairly confident that the Department of State Case ID is her case number... but where on earth can we find her "A-number?"

So my wife received her visa and entered the United States last month. We were expecting her GC in the mail but have instead received a notice from USCIS that we have not paid for a $235 immigrant fee listed in an Immigrant Visa Packet given to her at the embassy, and they will not process the GC until that time. According to my wife the Embassy did not inform her of this or give her such a packet. Is this a mistake? My understanding was after DCF the green card is automatically processed upon entering the US? Has this changed?

My wife and I just finished the DCF process in Tokyo. It would have taken about 3 months, but we had to delay the final interview for about one month since my wife needed to travel outside of Japan and we didn't want her to have her interview until she had returned from that trip. As for the cover letter, I made sure to describe my wife and I's relationship, the nature of the job offer I had received, and the importance of the job for the success of my career and my professional relationships, and how long term separation from my wife would negatively impact our lives. EDIT: added some missing specifics

My wife received her passport back with the visa printed inside, as well as a large envelope that cannot be opened that she is supposed to give the border agent when she arrives at the airport. There is however, one last odd hang up. The airline is asking for her to provide her "Visa Number" and its not clear what number on the Visa they are referring to. The airline was unfortunately not helpful when we reached out for clarification. Is the Visa number the case number, the registration number, or the eight digit number in bold on the bottom right that has no identifier? I wish it wasn't so confusing. EDIT: Added more description for the last number

I checked the status on the CEAC website and it says the visa has been issued. Thank you everyone for your contributions to my thread.

Wife had her interview yesterday and by her account it seems to have gone well. The interviewer told her at the end "I am approving your visa." Does this indeed mean she has been approved? We were surprised that the whole appointment took less than an hour. Surely they couldn't have reviewed all the forms we submitted, which included the I-864, that fast? I suppose we will know for sure in 5-10 days when her passport is supposed to arrive, and will remain nervous until then.

So a little bit of an update and a question. My wife has scheduled her interview for next month, however she will be taking a trip to Malaysia beforehand. She has never been to Malaysia before so it was not listed as one of the countries she has been to on the DS-260 we already submitted. Does she need to update it? If so, how?

Got an email today saying the I-130 is officially approved. Spouse needs to do get the police certificate and have a medical check before the Visa interview can be scheduled. Any way to change the title of this thread?

Submitted the I-130 to the embassy yesterday and after a bit of waiting they returned my original documents and told me it was approved. But I haven't received any confirmation email. Does this take more time? They provided a letter for my spouse with her case number, and said she would receive an email upon approval but neither of us have gotten anything. EDIT: Also, as I has suspected the I-864 was optional at this time. My spouse will have to bring it for submission at her interview later.

I think it is indeed optional because they include it on the checklist for the later visa interview: https://jp.usembassy.gov/visas/immigrant-visas/family-immigration/how-to-apply-step-2/iv-checklist/

The checklist states that the Affidavit of Support I-864 form is "Optional in Tokyo but is required for visa issuance." Does that mean I don't need to submit it at this time?

They want me to bring all the documents I had sent them with my initial request and provided this list of additional documents to bring linked below: https://jp.usembassy.gov/visas/immigrant-visas/130-petition-checklist/

Got an email from the Embassy late afternoon Friday, they told me I have an I-130 appointment on July 12. Does this mean my DCF petition has been accepted?

Yes I will not file anything until I get a response. I was just worried because many threads here describe receiving a response within 24 hours. Furthermore I did not receive any confirmation receipt via email from the Embassy after submitting the forms. In any case, I will email them at support-japan@usvisascheduling.com to confirm if they received it.