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| Tokyo, Japan |  Review on August 4, 2015: |
GreenPaddy
Rating:  | Review Topic: K1 Visa
Here's my recent (summer 2015) K-1 interview experience at the Tokyo Embassy.
Given the ferocious heat, the embassy is calling on interviewees not to come earlier than 15 minutes before appointment time. Anyway I planned to come to the gate by 8:30 for a 9:15 appointment. Unfortunately something happened on the way and reached there just at 9:00.
All the process was complete in about 2 and a half hours so if you come at 9, your expected out-of-the-embassy time should be 11:30.
- You have to walk around to reach the gate for security reasons. Give yourself additional time for it. Don't panic, follow the road rules, don't break rules in front of J policemen. It's hot, I know, I know.
- There's a TV in the room. You can check time on the screen.
- There's also a water cooler, a vending machine and a photo booth.
I waited about 1h and 15min to submit my paper works.(window #4, J officer)
- People who had sent 2 photos and a DS-160 confirmation page aren't required to submit them at the window again. In my case the officer returned them to me. Of course no Letter-Pack 500 needed.
- I had made two DS-160, as the first one contained some mistakes. But the officer said they are taking the first one instead of the second and returned my confirmation page saying they acknowledged the mistake and corrected them. I wanted to make the second one official as payment was done via the second DS-160 number.
After that another approx. 30min waiting to get fingerprints scanned.(window #5, US officer, smiley and nice)
Interview was about 30min later and took about 5min.
My case was unique as in it's my second K-1 interview with the same fiance. Furthermore, I have an failed work-related visa application some years back. So the history had made me a bit nervous.
But the interviewer was very nice. The American officer apparently had gone through our thick case file. He avoided inquiring into too much personal matters and kept it polite.
Some of his questions guided me in the right direction. He understands how nervous we can be in an interview and answering in English. So grateful for the care.
- Is this the first marriage for both of you?
- Do you have any children?
- Did you first meet him in 20xx in xxxx prefecture doing xxxx? (Already confirmed at the last interview)
- Did you keep communicating via Skype and other means?
- Have you met each other after the initial filing?
- Where do you plan to marry?
- You seem you couldn't use the last visa?
(Glad to have this subtle way of asking. I was able to answer in a straightforward and concise manner. Was ready to answer further questions on this but a short answer turned out to be sufficient.)
- Does your company intend to keep hiring you in the US?
(Mine is an American company. Just answered honestly.)
- You need to travel before Month/Day/20xx because the visa's validity is based on your health checkup date.
- Your case will be in processing and your passport should be sent to you in a week. Good luck on your journey. Do you have any question?
Although it sounded SO SILLY, I had to ask: " Are we approved?"
He answered yes 
I'm so glad the friendly officer was the interviewer.
Thanks Tokyo Embassy for your fairness and effectiveness.
For honey-bunnys going into the interview, it is advisable to keep your answers clear and concise!!
Update: After 1 day of Administrative Processing, Visa was issued (the next day). On hand 3 days from the interview.
(updated on August 5, 2015)
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #17473