privette

We are very happy because my husband visa was approved! First, I want to thanks the people of this excellent forum... Here I always found the information and support needed.

We applied for a CR-1 through DCF in Tokyo, Japan. The interview appointment was for september 11, 2006 at 2 pm. There were few people for appointment for different visas... maybe 15.

We were received by a woman how checked my husband on a list. Then she gave us a number and a plastic file where we arranged documents in the order specified on a checklist.

We sited until our number was called. The first official greeted my husband in japanese (he does not speak english) and took our plastic file. She checked on a list all the docs received ans asked us to sit until called.

Minutes later another official called my husband for finger printing. This one talked in spanish what was great to hear.

Sited again until the last official called us. She said that I might be present in the interview. That was the final interview, and in japanese she asked how we met, if we have childrens, where we are going to live and if we had family in US. I worried a little when she asked us to wait a minute until she checked if she could accept our tax returns from Puerto Rico. I was worried but at the same time confident because I have checked it and knew that immigration accept our local returns in place of the federal ones, which Puerto Rico doesn't fill. She returned shortly and sent us to the cashier for the fees. Once paid we returned to her and after receiving the paiment receipt congratulated my husband for his visa!!!! She put a big smile on our faces!!! We were out in an hour. We were the last to leave the hall.

Doing DCF through Japan was great. We were never asked for more evidence. All the officials (women) were very nice and respectful. In 3 month we got the visa. The passport sure will arrive by mail in 2 days.

Thanks again to the members who helped me with their answers and support and for the rest, who helped me too by posting their experiences. Hope all of you doing this visa journey, finish it soon.

I've read that the police certificates DO need to be translated, and also that they DON'T....and both replies seemed to come from very reliable sources.

I guess the best option is to call the Embassy. Maybe someone already has???

Thanks to all!

I will take them untranslated. The japanese one came in a sealed envelope and it seems to be in both languages. And for the peruvian, It will be ok, I think that what they look for is a big NO in this certificate.

Now I am ready for the interview in sept 11. Fortunately I am not superstitious! Hope we get the visa!

Thanks again and good luck to all!

I'm not sure what is exactly what in your description, but the Consular documents (for the visa portion of your applicaion) can be in English or the local language.

So, if this is a Japanese certificate going to the US consulate in Japan (not Peru), then it does not need translating.

If you're filing in Peru, check back.

What does this mean at the bottom.. that you may be granted an IR vs a CR classification? If you are not married for 2 years and are admitted in class IR-1, it could cause a problem if you are not entitled to that class--it's not a benefit.

Anyway, hope you're doing a DCF in Tokyo!

Hi meauxna!

Yes, I am doing a DCF from Tokyo. I read back the police certificate info on the embassy in Tokyo webpage and there say that the japanese police certificate will be issued in duplicate, both in English and Japanese!

About the R1 visa, the petittion approval letter said the preference category is IR1-Peru. Thats why I thougth this. I am married for almost 1 rear and 6 month. I hope there wont be any problem with that...

Meauxna, thanks for your help!

Thanks! All your help is always appresiated!

Hi to all! Hola a todos!

Do I need to translate a peruvian police certificate to english?

Necesitare traducir al ingles un certificado policial peruano?

TIA

I'm not sure what is exactly what in your description, but the Consular documents (for the visa portion of your applicaion) can be in English or the local language.

So, if this is a Japanese certificate going to the US consulate in Japan (not Peru), then it does not need translating.

If you're filing in Peru, check back.

What does this mean at the bottom.. that you may be granted an IR vs a CR classification? If you are not married for 2 years and are admitted in class IR-1, it could cause a problem if you are not entitled to that class--it's not a benefit.

Anyway, hope you're doing a DCF in Tokyo!

Hi meauxna!

Yes, I am doing a DCF from Tokyo. I read back the police certificate info on the embassy in Tokyo webpage and there say that the japanese police certificate will be issued in duplicate, both in English and Japanese!

About the R1 visa, the petittion approval letter said the preference category is IR1-Peru. Thats why I thougth this. I am married for almost 1 rear and 6 month. I hope there wont be any problem with that...

Meauxna, thanks for your help!

Hi to all !

I planned to translate the police certificates before the interview... but, the japanese certificate will arrive in a closed envelope to be open only by the embassy in Tokyo!

Do anybody knows if the japanese police certificate is made in both languages?

Thanks for replies! I am not worried for the blood tests, but for the x ray films. The misterious envelope contains the x ray films. I am sltill wondering how many people received the reports the same way...

I just received my husband medical exam results... but in an envelope labeled "To be opened only by the US consulate officer"!!!

Is something wrong with it?

Thanks donandjacky and aussiedude!

Each one of them charge differently, from 25,000 and 350,000 yen for an examination without immunisations and with times from 3.5 hours to 1.5 hour.

I have to make a correction,

It should say from 25,000 to 35,000 yen

I wanted to post this message for future people doing a DCF in Tokyo, Japan and researching for advice on medical examination in the city.

The Embassy provide a list of approved medical facilities for the visa medical examination. I called them and asked for costs and how much time the examination will take. Each one of them charge differently, from 25,000 and 350,000 yen for an examination without immunisations and with times from 3.5 hours to 1.5 hour.

Our choice was Tokyo British Clinic, which charged 25,000 yen for the exam and 31,250 yen for immunisations (a total of three shots because my husband didn't have a vaccination record). They were very professional and practical. They will send us the certificate by mail. All did in less than 1.5 hour. It was great for us because we use the rest of the day in the city, collecting other visa related documents.

Hope this will be of help for people with the same doubts and questions that I had.

I have the withholding statements those are in english...though..they show all the money earn in the year and and how much was given to social security, adress and employer info.

Hi Luis!

I sent copies of PR tax returns and W-2, from joint sponsor and mine. They weren't notarized nor translated. I clearly labeled each withholding statements as W-2 PR, name and year.

Here in Japan, when Embassy approve a petition, they send you a letter with next instructions and if it is necessary, asking for more evidence. In my case, they didn't asked for more documents or evidence. They kept the last Tax returns from joint sponsor and me, and returned the rest of them. So, Embassy in Japan accepted them.

I think that each puertorrican in a visa journey has the same doubt about our taxes.

Good luck!

So I know which doctor handles the medical examination here on behalf of the Embassy.I´ve been wondering if I should make the appointment myself knowing how long it can take to get one at an Icelandic doctor in order to make the wait for the interview shorter. Would the Embassy disapprove of that?

Although I'm a newbie, my advice is to go for the medical examination as soon as you can. You don't need any letter or evidence from the embassy in order to get your medical examination. This is not the case for the police certificate, for what you must present the letter with the Visa instructions that Embassy sent you. I don't think there is going to be any problem with the embassy.

But, lets see what the forum experts have to say about your case. Good luck!

Hi meauxna! Thanks for the topic.

We are doing a DCF for an IR1 in Tokyo, Japan.

When we sent our I-130, I didn't included any cover letter. I just simply followed instructions on the US Embassy in Tokyo web page. But now I think it is a great idea to do so. Instead of a cover letter, I sent a copy of the web page check list, with its appropriate marks.

http://japan.usembassy.gov/e/visa/tvisa-ivi130checkmail.html

Talking of expenses, here is an approximation...

$190 for I-130

$20 Birth certificates of my husband

$50 for affidavit of Support for sponsor and joint sponsor

$60 in documents translation from Spanish and Japanese to English

$380 Visa application fee

$20 Police certificate from Japan and Peru

$230 Medical exam

$260 immunization

$280 for 2 travels to Tokyo, for Medical exam and final interview

$20 Photos

A total of $1510.

I am not including travel to US.

Thanks for the information!

Hello!

I am researching for medical examination fees. It seems that each facility has its own fees, although US Embassy at Tokyo says that it can be about $250.

One facility ask for $265 and other $350!!! This is without vaccines, that can be another $330. Of course I will go to the first!

How much the medical examination cost you?

And vaccines?

Did you got vaccines the same day of examination?

Did you waited long time for receiving the complete medical examination forms?

Domo arigato gozaimasu. Thank you very much!

Hi people!

Its Maria again. I just received my I-130 approval and instructions for the Visa interview. I am very happy!

I was very stressed because Tokyo never sent me a NOA for the I-130 receipt. Twenty two days later I am receiving a package with a letter saying the most spirit lifting word ... CONGRATULATIONS! But I suspect it was approved by 21 jun, because that's the priority date in the letter.

Now comes the questions...

With my case number, where can I check the process status?

My husband will be unable to find medical and vaccines records from Peru. What to do in this case?

When submitting the I-130 and all the docs they asked for, I stated Undecided at this time where it ask for an US address. It was true because we must have the visa before accepting a job and look for a place to move. Is it advisable to state a new address on US at the time of interview?

What fees must I expect to pay the day of interview?

Any advice will be very appreciated..

welcome to VJ good luck

Thanks for your support!

Ah! One thing... now I am less worried after knowing that sending my Puerto Ricans tax returns with the I-864 were ok!

maria hello i filed in tokyo and it was very fast and easy, my suggestion to anyone who files there is dont mail it in take it in person, i married my wife who is a citizen of the philippines and resident of japan on may 12 2006 filed the I-130 in person on may 16th they approved it on the spot.. then proceeded to get all the documents for the interview the longets wait was for the police cert. from the philippines once we got that made an appointment online for the interview interview set for july 3rd approved on the spot!!!!! july 8th visa in hand!!!!! she will be coming with me to hawaii permanently the 18th of july!!!!! again i suggest to everyone using the embassy in tokyo file in person if u mail as a friend of mine did it takes longer dont know why but he filed his 3 months ago and still no word. hope this helps.

Hi Murphdizzle!

Congratulations for the visa!

Now I am understanding very well what you say... I sent my application by snail mail! It will be a month from that and didnt received any NOA. I know they received and are working on it because I emailed them. But no more info. I am feeling in limbo! Not sure if they are working on it or not right now. If I had applied in person the story would be other.

Please, tell me if your friend received an NOA... Are they supposed to send an NOA after receiving the applications?

Also, how was the interview? Easy? Were nice? I think this situation is very intimidating, maybe I will have a nervous breakdown if I dont take a valium this day! kidding!

What you are suggesting MIGHT HAVE BEEN possible had you not filed for the K1.... Now the USCIS knows there is an intent to marry.

She will need to return and wait for her interview.

Thanks for the replys. I know its not a good idea for her to come here on a tourist visa and then get married. I just didn't see the difference between her having an interview here or there. But... I don't make the rules. Hahaha... I'm going to visit her again in Tokyo on the 29th of this month. I should just go and marry her. Aww... but then I'd need to start all over again with another process. Thats it!! I'm moving to Japan!

Hi fjohnette! My name is Maria. I just read your posts and completely understand your feelings. I wanted really bad to be with my fiance too, so I decided to move to Japan and get married here. Now I am applying for his visa by DCF at Tokyo. I just sent the I-130 Petition and am waiting for its approval in order to continue with the visa application. In case you decide to marry her and file from Tokyo, let me know. I think we can be a support for each other. Good luck!

Hi, guys! This is Luis speaking

A little help wit the 3 years tax notification thing...you see I live in Puerto Rico and we dont file federal tax return...because we aren't required. So, what shold I do send the local ones? or dont send any explaining the situation?

Thanks in advance

Hello Luis and Laura!

My name is Maria and I am puertorrican too. I read this post and even not having an answer for you, I will comment my case.

I am doing a Direct Consular Filling at Tokyo, Japan. My husband, Peruvian, and I met on Internet too. We got married at Japan. I returned to PR, and in the meantime, he applied for a Japanese visa for me. Since this visa was granted, we were happily living together in Japan.

Now I am applying for his CR-1 visa. I did have the same doubt about the taxes returns. But I decided to submit my 3 years of PR taxes. Also, my joint sponsor is puertorrican and I submitted her PR taxes too. I think there wont be any problem. I sent copies because they don't ask to certify them. I am waiting for the letter that say that my husband I-130 was accepted or not. Then I will know if they accepted my PR returns. If you want, I will contact you with the results.

Sorry if you already have answers about your taxes. But if this is the case, tell me if I am wrong.

Hope you will get together soon! Good luck!

BTW I believe you are applying for a CR-1 visa for your husband not K-3.

Now that I know that his visa is going to be a CR-1, I tried to find the timeline for a CR-1 DCF at Japan, and found too few cases. I found a similar case and their visa was ok in less than 3 month! Please! Tell me that with an CR-1 we are as near or closer to his visa than with a K-3! I was so happy looking at the K-3 timelines... and now I dont have a clue of how long it will take...

My God! This is an emotional rollercoaster!

This is for ququ24 and Sadie33138. Thanks a lot for your quick reply! You made me VERY VERY HAPPY! There are people that want to help me!!!

I am from the Common Wealth of Puerto Rico and my husband is from Peru. I am the US citizen. He is a permanent resident of Japan. I also have a spouse visa to live here. We got married and actually live at Japan.

I went to this link http://tokyo.usembassy.gov/e/visa/tvisa-ivi130checkmail.html to collect information on how to get a visa for my husband. I collect all the documents, copies and translations and sent the package to the address in the link. It was on June 17, 2006.

Right now I am waiting for the embassy response. If the petition is approved, the next step is the interview, and it is when the embassy will require other docs. This is the link for the information on this step. http://tokyo.usembassy.gov/e/visa/tvisa-iv...viewcheck2.html

As you could see, Is not easy to omit a document thanks to the checklist. And Sadie, you are right! I read where it said that a petition can be rejected if: "your application is received without the required documents, it will be returned to you unprocessed" And I sent everything they asked for!!! And in case I missed something, they will return all unprocessed! Thank you very much for make me remember this!

I am learning a lot from this forum. Sadie, you are right again! I am applying for a CR-1 visa for my husband not K-3!!!

I have a question... Is it possible that the interview may be in Spanish?

I will appreciate all the support and help from both of you and the forum. TIA

Hi to all in the forum.

My name is Maria and am doing a DCF at Tokyo, Japan. I began by reading and following all the instructions on the US Embassy in Japan Visa web pages. I mailed all the package by June 17 2006. But after that, I found this forum and started to read its posts. That make me nervous because I think I should did better with my docs.

Before mailing my docs, I asked the Embassy what to write as my US address, because rigth now I am living in Japan... They answered that I may write- NOT DECIDED YET. In a short letter I explained why I don't have an address in US at this time, but as soon as a visa is available, I will be able to accept a a job position and a place to move in Florida. I submitted some emails from recruiters contacting me offering a job position. BUT, reading some post, I understand that I should put an US family address. How do you think it will affect my petition? Do you think that they may give me the opportunity to supply an address?

Other thing I am worried about for is the too little info sent as proof of our relationship. As I followed the instructions on the Embassy web page, I sent a letter explaining how we met, when we got married, a few photos printed from my pc, and the vacation trips we made at this time. Also included a copy the Japanese visa my husband applied for me in order to live together in Japan. It all in only 3 pages!! The instructions didn't mention how much info or how long the letter must be. Now I am worried because I think I should sent more info like, copies of flight tickets, phone bills, more photos... We are married for 1 year and 3 month only!

Do you think my petition was going to be rejected???

I pray that your answer will be... Don't worry! If they need more docs or info, they will ask for them, but don't think they will not reject it!