jmcl10

ANA All Nippon Airways. 

Thought pubic charge issue is on hold but apparently it could be asked.
For those who are to be interviewed, prepare the insurance info just in case.

Priority date: 5 September 2019.
Issued: 18 August 2020.

Wife had her interview this morning. Approved! Finally!

Sharing my wife’s experience from this past Friday’s interview. 
 
Got there at 9:15am. Appointment was at 9:30am. Was told that she could enter the embassy at 9:25am. 
 
Phone was allowed inside the building, bluetooth off. We were able to chat with each other while waiting. 
 
Received an instruction sheet for the order of documents 
1. 2 color photographs
2. Current passport
3. I-864 Affidavit of Support
4. Police certificate(s)
5. Court and prison records, military record (if applicable)
6. LetterPack Plus envelope
 
Went up to the first window to turn in documents. CO also asked for original marriage certificate and birth certificate with English translations (because from Vietnam). At this point CO gave back the I-864 and photographs, since they were already uploaded on NVC. CO gave her a paper about domestic violence to read while waiting. Sit down for a few minutes and then take fingerprints. 
 
Waiting time was long because there were others interviewing before her. 3 consular officers were working and only 1 was doing the interview. Each interview was around 10mins long with about a 15mins gap between each interview.
 
At 11:10am, interview time:
What is your husband’s full name?
How did you meet?
Did you meet in Japan or Vietnam?
Where is your husband now?
What does your husband do?
What other countries has your husband worked in?  
What island (in Hawaii) is your husband from?
Where are his parents from?
What language do they speak at home?
Does your husband have any siblings?
What will your husband do in Hawaii?
When did you move to Japan?
Why wait until now to move to the US?
 
Then the interviewing CO said that she was approved. Received original marriage certificate and birth certificate back. Would be receiving passport back with visa in the mail in about a week.  
 
Wife said that everyone there was very professional and kind. From the security guards, receptionists, and COs, everyone had a friendly demeanor. Be prepared and everything will go smoothly. That’s it for now, good luck to everyone!

Docs were sent immediately after the interview. I'm sure it's fine now. Just wish they said something before the interview.

Embassy just sent the email and rescheduled as they said they would. 
 
"Thank you for accepting new immigrant visa interview appointment date/time.
As we explained over the phone, due to unforeseen circumstances, we had to ask you to come in at different date/time.    Please find the new appointment notice below.  If you are unable to come in at the specified time, please let us know by replying to this email.  
We are sorry for inconvenience this may/may have caused you but we truly appreciate your cooperation.
 
Immigrant Visa Section
U.S. Embassy Tokyo"
 
must have been a case of Corona.

congratulations! glad that everything went well for you. I hope i get the same experience as you did on the 21st. Now time for you to shake the stress away

congratulations! so happy for you guys!

Sure will. Best of luck to you.

Wow... Congratulations! @攀弥旺
Glad to hear another fellow VJers got approved in Tokyo today. 👍👍 
 
Do share your experience of your interview when you have a chance.
 
Ours are next week.... So nervous and exciting.

I'm pleased to update you guys, our visa has been approved! @TaKane @jmcl10

Hello @TaKane     
 
I had my interview this morning. 

I arrived at 8:10 am (my appointment was at 8:30). I was told by the security guard to wait till 8:15 when they start letting people in. Before getting there, I had to show my appointment letter (printed from email) to two police officers standing near the gate. There were a LOT of officers standing to guard from the ultra right wings screaming toward the Embassy (it's Hiroshima A-bomb Day today).

I was escorted into the embassy at 8:15.  (For those who need to use a restroom before getting in, the building right next to the embassy has clean restrooms on the first floor.)

The security gate was just like any airport. You are not allowed to bring lap-top computers.  Only one cell-phone is allowed. They will ask you to turn off the Bluetooth function.

At the entrance into the building, at the reception, you will hand in your passport and you will receive a clear file case and a sheet of instruction -- what to do while waiting to be called by the intake officer.

Upon entering the visa section, you are to take a number and wait till your number is called (and shown on the monitor).  By this time you are supposed to have all the required documents ready in order into the file case.  Remember to write your full name on the back of the two photos. 

In the visa section (waiting room), there are restrooms, a beverage vending machine, a photo booth, and a water dispenser.  The room was pretty chilly with the air conditioners, partly because the room was practically empty. 

At 8:20, my number was called and I turned in all the documents.  At this stage, there were 2 other parties in the room.  Here, the officer asks basic questions.   The office opened the police certificate here. She was very friendly and kind. 
1.  Have you ever lived other than US/Japan?
2.  First marriage?  Any children?
3.  Any criminal record?
4.  Any rejection at US Immigration before?
5.  Med report is sent electronically?
6.  Mother (Father)'s maiden names
 
At 8:35, I was called to do the fingerprints.  The officer was very gentle and nice. Fingerprints are taken just as you do at the immigration at a port of entry ---  different from the way they did at the Police. Around between then and 9 am, another four applicants arrived.  Total 7 including me.

After that, the wait was a bit long. I saw a couple of officers talking behind the counters and frequently checking their computer screens. At 9:20 I saw a supervisor-look-like office coming out from the behind and chatted with the officers at the counter, and then they did little fist pumps.  I did not know what it meant but I took the liberty of interpreting it as a good sign -- "we can issue visas now!!" 
 
Though my number was #3, I was the first one to be called for the interview (around 9:25). Interestingly, they asked to take my fingerprints (right hand only) again.

Here are the questions the officer asked:
 
- What is your spouse' name?
- Where did you meet?  When? 
- Where do your spouse's parents live?  Where are they from?
- What does your spouse do for work?  How about yourself?
- Where are you planning to live in the US?  --- I told them we already have a house with no mortgage.
- How long were you together before getting married?  Had a big wedding party or what?
 
No question about insurance and finance.  No mention on DS5440.  The interview was short and simple.  8 minutes or so. Since the officer (and myself) was wearing a mask, it was not easy to hear, but he was generous enough to repeat if I looked confused or stuck.
 
At the end, the officer said, "OK. Everything's good. Approved. Congratulations" with a warm smile.  He said I will have my passport/visa on hand within a week or so. I could not ask for any better officer.  He was so friendly, gentle, and willing to be helpful.
 
Till the very last moment I heard the long awaited (we started in Feb 2019) word, "APPROVED", I was so afraid what if my visa is on hold like some people on July 31. 
 
I was out of the Embassy at 9:35.  The Ultra Right Wing were still screaming.....I rushed into the Hotel Okura and had a sigh of relief.  


 
 

 

isn’t that the public charge rule is currently on hold just recently? this is confusing. Oh well better have the public charge form ready

That tracks with the language for a denial under section 221(g).
In general it means that the consular office does not have all of the information required to determine whether they should issue a visa. Normally this would be due to missing documentation or forms on the applicant's behalf. Nothing new to most posters here.
 
Based on the denial letter @jmcl10 shared, it would appear that they are refusing visas where the public charge changes are muddying the waters, hence "pending until further guidance." That would imply more of a stall than an outright denial. I believe that is good cause to remain optimistic until they get their policies sorted.
 

Finally got my interview schedule on the 21st. Got it almost a month after i sent out an expedite request 😍🙏🏻

Finally got my interview schedule on the 21st. Got it almost a month after i sent out an expedite request 😍🙏🏻

I had my interview last month.
There wer no hard questions for me, just typical ones you see online (how did you meet? when did you get married? what does your husband do? etc)
 
To be safe, I took every document mentioned in the department of state website and documents submitted to NVC.
I also took my husbands's past 3months pay stubs in case they need proof for stable income.
 
Afterall, I only turned in birth certificate, passport picture, police certificate and my passport I think.
I was not asked to show any documents during the interview.
Each cases are different so I suggest you bring everything to the interview to avoid any problems.
 
Good luck with your interview!

Our interview date in Tokyo is set for August 18th! I hope everyone else is sent some good luck also!

Finally got an interview date in Tokyo. Aug 17. DQ'd May 20.

Looks like we finally have some action in Japan! That is very encouraging!

Wow! Great news! Patiently waiting, we got our DQ at the end of May. Finally this gives me some hope!