All Japan Filers

[Takeo 6]

Takeo, your fiancee and mine have an interview on the same day!

Before she even got packet 3 she was able to get confirmed for an interview on August 12th. So for everyone else, it seems you can set up an appointment before you pay the fee or send in any paperwork connected with packet 3. I expected to wait a month (which I would have considered a lucky break).

I'm not sure how long it takes for her to get the packet, but if it isn't too much trouble I'd appreciate it if you could ask your fiancee what she had to mail back to the embassy. I want to get the paperwork finished as soon as possible.

Interesting to hear they have the interview on the same date. I wanted to look at your timeline, but you don't have one established.

You can see my timeline to see how fast things moved along. Some people were having delays from NOA2 to NVC, mine was quick. By the time I called NVC, my case had been mailed which I tracked on the DHL website, using the trick explained in a thread. Once the embassy received the case, my fiancee got the packet in a couple days, completed it, and mailed it back. We took a break because I just went to Japan but back on track, medical next week, police certificate hopefully today.

My fiancee forgot what she sent, the break caused her to relax and forget, sorry. Your fiancee can prepare the DS230 Part I and make a copy of her passport. You can also see the DS156 online. All that can be done in a day, so don't sweat it. Did your fiancee get the medical and police certificate? Is your case still with NVC or did it leave? Have you done the financial support and letters of intent?

Feel free to msg me if you don't want to share all the details in this thread. It's nice to finally msg someone going through what I am experiencing. I tried to message a couple others, but they never replied back.

[Takeo 6]

Takeo, your fiancee and mine have an interview on the same day!

Before she even got packet 3 she was able to get confirmed for an interview on August 12th. So for everyone else, it seems you can set up an appointment before you pay the fee or send in any paperwork connected with packet 3. I expected to wait a month (which I would have considered a lucky break).

I'm not sure how long it takes for her to get the packet, but if it isn't too much trouble I'd appreciate it if you could ask your fiancee what she had to mail back to the embassy. I want to get the paperwork finished as soon as possible.

*duplicate post deleted*

Edited July 24, 2013 by Takeo

[CHRUKA 1]

Interesting to hear they have the interview on the same date. I wanted to look at your timeline, but you don't have one established.

...

My fiancee forgot what she sent, the break caused her to relax and forget, sorry. Your fiancee can prepare the DS230 Part I and make a copy of her passport. You can also see the DS156 online. All that can be done in a day, so don't sweat it. Did your fiancee get the medical and police certificate? Is your case still with NVC or did it leave? Have you done the financial support and letters of intent?

I don't have a standard timeline but I posted my dates in my forum signature.

My fiancee got a couple emails saying she still needs to send stuff in, since we applied for the appointment before she got Packet 3. The case is at the Tokyo embassy and her packet 3 had been sent out today, but I just wasn't sure how long it would take to get to her. We're going to wait until she gets it because nobody can seem to give us a straight answer and all the online instructions are too vague to chance.

Yeah she had applied for the police certificate a couple weeks ago and will get it this week. She'll go for the health check on the friday before her interview and just stay in Tokyo until it's finished on monday (Aug. 12th). I'm getting paperwork compiled now to send out next week so she has everything she needs.

[Takeo 6]

I don't have a standard timeline but I posted my dates in my forum signature.

My fiancee got a couple emails saying she still needs to send stuff in, since we applied for the appointment before she got Packet 3. The case is at the Tokyo embassy and her packet 3 had been sent out today, but I just wasn't sure how long it would take to get to her. We're going to wait until she gets it because nobody can seem to give us a straight answer and all the online instructions are too vague to chance.

Yeah she had applied for the police certificate a couple weeks ago and will get it this week. She'll go for the health check on the friday before her interview and just stay in Tokyo until it's finished on monday (Aug. 12th). I'm getting paperwork compiled now to send out next week so she has everything she needs.

I saw your timeline in the signature, thanks for pointing that out. Want to hear something, our wedding date is October 5 also, how ironic is that? What time is her interview? My fiancee's is at 8:30 am. If you message me your fiancee's name, I can share mine if they are similar times. Would be nice if they had each other to talk to.

You are right, there is very vague information on the web/forum. I kept getting confused, finally just waited till my fiancee got her packet, which I think was 2 or 3 days after they received the case. I'm sure it will be quick and easy.

My fiancee requested her police record yesterday, the office she went to told her 1 week to get the records.

Has your fiancee done immunization shots? My fiancee said there are quite a few shots to do and it might be cheaper to do at a local doctor or clinic. Also, there was one shot, she could not remember, that is two stage, so it needed to be done ahead of time especially if the medical eval is close to the interview date. Not trying to scare you, I don't know the immunization requirements, just sharing what my fiancee told me.

[CHRUKA 1]

Has your fiancee done immunization shots? My fiancee said there are quite a few shots to do and it might be cheaper to do at a local doctor or clinic. Also, there was one shot, she could not remember, that is two stage, so it needed to be done ahead of time especially if the medical eval is close to the interview date. Not trying to scare you, I don't know the immunization requirements, just sharing what my fiancee told me.

My fiancee has done a couple things at her local doctor's office already, and I think she did the two-stage thing you mentioned. She contacted the medical facility that conducts the evaluations for the embassy in Tokyo and asked what she could do ahead of time. I'll ask her again to make sure whatever she needs to do to complete the eval can be done in one day.

Her interview is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. but she'll get there beforehand. Pretty cool the coincidence about them having the same interview date and wedding date.

[TeamM&M 4]

Regarding the petitioner attending the interview and contacting the Embassy...

I contacted the Embassy during the Japanese business hours via the 703 phone number.

Unfortunately, my experience was a bit sketchy because she couldn't seem to get my name right.

Provided the case, beneficiary's passport, my passport, email address info etc.

After a few corrections, things are apparently in order.

To my surprise she was forwarding my request as opposed to taking it...

Anyway, I received a confirmation email that says I can attend so I have a document to print and present at the embassy.

Cheers,

M

[TeamM&M 4]

Kobe Medical seems like a Royal Pain in Butt!

We did it, they called back, needed a second trip for MMR? Should have got this juice the first time. What's up with that place? Still waiting on packet. 6 business days left before departure to TYO for interview.

British Clinic in TYO seems like the way to go based on everything I've read.

Total like 50,000+10,000=60,000 in Kobe.

Maybe I'm just a Gaijin, but I really don't get why you go to the hospital, take a blood test to check your immunity, then need to go back again a week later.

I had a minor cut in some sheet metal over the weekend and went to Walgreens and in lieu of a tetanus booster got Tdap.

Kobe said no problem, they will rush the report but I feel they need to be a bit more proactive, the rush wouldn't be necessary.

Cheers,

M

[Takeo 6]

Kobe Medical seems like a Royal Pain in Butt!

We did it, they called back, needed a second trip for MMR? Should have got this juice the first time. What's up with that place? Still waiting on packet. 6 business days left before departure to TYO for interview.

British Clinic in TYO seems like the way to go based on everything I've read.

Total like 50,000+10,000=60,000 in Kobe.

Maybe I'm just a Gaijin, but I really don't get why you go to the hospital, take a blood test to check your immunity, then need to go back again a week later.

I had a minor cut in some sheet metal over the weekend and went to Walgreens and in lieu of a tetanus booster got Tdap.

Kobe said no problem, they will rush the report but I feel they need to be a bit more proactive, the rush wouldn't be necessary.

Cheers,

M

Regarding the the immunity check, must not only be Kobe, must be a requirement for embassy in Tokyo. My fiance went to get blood drawn at a local clinic, then went back for results and doc said since results were good, there was no need for another $100 shot. The price of the immunizations are going up but luckily my fiancee found cheaper rates at local clinics instead of waiting to do it at the medical eval in Tokyo. Good luck to your fiancee on the interview.

[Takeo 6]

My fiancee has done a couple things at her local doctor's office already, and I think she did the two-stage thing you mentioned. She contacted the medical facility that conducts the evaluations for the embassy in Tokyo and asked what she could do ahead of time. I'll ask her again to make sure whatever she needs to do to complete the eval can be done in one day.

Her interview is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. but she'll get there beforehand. Pretty cool the coincidence about them having the same interview date and wedding date.

All I know is whoever makes it to the interview, should automatically be approved. I'm guessing the whole process is made to be difficult to weed out those who want to use and abuse the system. I give credit to every couple who has gone through this, it's not easy nor is it cheap.

In addition to the visa process, my fiancee is bringing a dog and a rabbit. Hawaii has very strict quarantine laws because we are a rabies free state. Blood samples needed to be sent to a lab and evaluated for months, that wasn't free. Then, the rabies certificates need to be submitted to Hawaii Quarantine, with translated copies, which is not always easy to get from the vets, and a payment made to Hawaii Quarantine. Then, the dog needs to get a full evaluation 10-14 days before the flight and the evaluation mailed overnight to Honolulu. The rabbit needs an evaluation just prior to the flight, translated in English. The rabbit also needs to stay two nights at Narita Airport for observation, so my fiancee has to stay at a hotel to feed the rabbit daily. There is a fee for the rabbit when it arrives and is inspected in Honolulu. Fees for travel for the two pets is $600.

Try to plan a wedding when dealing with the above. Oh, also, I have to move because my rental does not allow pets. That's what I'll be doing the next two weeks. All worth it though! What a journey!

[TeamM&M 4]

So I'm under the impression we do not need a letter pack 500. Will advise. Good luck to all.

[Holliver 0]

So I'm under the impression we do not need a letter pack 500. Will advise. Good luck to all.

Why are you under that impression? You need the letter pack 500 for them to return your passport with the visa in to you. I suggest you take one with you.

[TeamM&M 4]

Why are you under that impression? You need the letter pack 500 for them to return your passport with the visa in to you. I suggest you take one with you.

Well, because I did a little bit of research and I read that the courier fee is included in many of the Non-Immigrant visa fee. This coupled with my fiancé reading recent online Japanese posts that it wasn't required for K-1.

However, didn't want to blow it over 500 so I picked one up across the street from the Embassy at Lawson.

Bottom Line it was not required for K-1. We have an extra one now.

We got a verbal approval and I will be posting a review shortly.

Cheers!

[TeamM&M 4]

Do not be mistaken. I saw many people providing the letterpack 500s to the embassy staff..and I'll say again, the letterpack 500s are available across the street from the embassy at Lawson. However, when we were called up to window 3 to submit docs we were told it was not needed for k-1 visa. We choose to be safe rather than sorry. Some visa types obviously require the letterpack while our K-1 did not.

Edited August 5, 2013 by TeamM&M

[Takeo 6]

Well, because I did a little bit of research and I read that the courier fee is included in many of the Non-Immigrant visa fee. This coupled with my fiancé reading recent online Japanese posts that it wasn't required for K-1.

However, didn't want to blow it over 500 so I picked one up across the street from the Embassy at Lawson.

Bottom Line it was not required for K-1. We have an extra one now.

We got a verbal approval and I will be posting a review shortly.

Cheers!

Congrats!

My fiance's interview is next Monday we we are double checking her documents, here's what I got if any of you can review and see if we have everthing:

1. Copy of I129f packet.

2. New letter of intent, both she and I, signed.

3. I134 with supporting documents.

4. Copy of NOA2.

5. Proof of ongoing relationship (pics, receipts, boarding passes, ring receipt...).

6. Police Certiticate.

7. Medical Evaluation.

8. DS156 - 2 copies?

9. DS156(K) signed at interview

10. 2 photos 5 cm x 5 cm.

11. Birth Certificate

12. NVC Letter.

13. Copy of RFE.

Anything else? Getting a little nervous.

[TeamM&M 4]

Do not panic!

We enjoyed our trip to the embassy. Lot's of good people watching. Of course we were prepared ad joked and laughter the whole time.

Your list looks good. You are covering your bases. Worst case, your fiancé is carrying a lot of unnecessary paperwork around. Small price to pay.

Bring a copy of the appointment email to flash at security on the way into the embassy.

We also had had packet 3 with us and a ton of evidence.

Nobody looked at or requested any NOA or NVC documents, no body asked for more evidence,

We provided re-affirmation if intent. Not required.

The official list asked to organize the docs in this order...

Put picture in provided plastic bag

Passport

156k

156 with picture and payment receipt

156 no picture

(157 if applicable)

Birth Certificate/Kouseki with translation

134

Police certificate

Medical

More details coming in review.

Edited August 6, 2013 by TeamM&M