Forum	Title	Content	Member	Sex	Country	Date/Time
Asia: East and Pacific	All Japan Filers	My fiance is getting her interview packet together and now she tells me she cannot find her receipt of payment for the visa. Does anyone know if another receipt can be requested or in another document can be use for proof of payment?	Takeo	Not Telling	Japan	2013-08-09 01:53:00
Asia: East and Pacific	All Japan Filers	The online portal was showing "Administrative Processing" yesterday when I first checked the portal following interview. Now today, the day following interview. The portal is returning "Issued" as the status. Of course it's about the 10th time I queried today but looks like the boys and girls in Akasaka liked my positive review ;-) https://ceac.state.g...ker/Status.aspx I'm hoping next week I'm feeling the same elation! Actually I'm confident all will be well.  Thanks for sharing!	Takeo	Not Telling	Japan	2013-08-06 03:29:00
Asia: East and Pacific	All Japan Filers	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. Thanks for that info, it's so good to hear from somone who went through the process, that's the nice thing about visajourney.  You are the first person I have had contact with who had a visa approved in Tokyo.  I wish I could be there with my fiance but I just got back from visiting her, it was a trip planned before we got NOA2.  This week makes 1 year since I129F, so we are excited to get this over with.  I'll look for your review! Aloha!	Takeo	Not Telling	Japan	2013-08-05 19:37:00
Asia: East and Pacific	All Japan Filers	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.	Takeo	Not Telling	Japan	2013-08-05 17:56:00
Asia: East and Pacific	All Japan Filers	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!	Takeo	Not Telling	Japan	2013-07-25 14:04:00
Asia: East and Pacific	All Japan Filers	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	Not Telling	Japan	2013-07-25 13:53:00
Asia: East and Pacific	All Japan Filers	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.	Takeo	Not Telling	Japan	2013-07-24 16:51:00
Asia: East and Pacific	All Japan Filers	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 by Takeo, 23 July 2013 - 08:51 PM.	Takeo	Not Telling	Japan	2013-07-23 20:51:00
Asia: East and Pacific	All Japan Filers	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	Not Telling	Japan	2013-07-23 20:47:00
Asia: East and Pacific	All Japan Filers	One real question now:   What must be sent to the Tokyo embassy for packet 3?   I see it says to send DS-230 Part I, but do I also send the DS-156 (two copies) and DS-156K along with it?  Or do they only need receive the DS-230 as part of the packet 3 paperwork?         When my fiancee got packet 3 from the Tokyo embassy, she just followed the directions, it's straight foward.  I don't recall exactly what she sent DS230 Part I for sure.  From what I read, 2 copies of DS156 and a copy of the passport photo page.  If you want me to ask my fiancee, msg me but as I said, the packet is pretty self explanatory.    We took a short break after packet 3 because I went to visit her in Japan.  Recently my fiancee paid online for the visa and emailed the request for interview and received acceptance for August 12.   Now for the medical eval, police certificate, and documents for the interview. Almost there.	Takeo	Not Telling	Japan	2013-07-23 17:22:00
Asia: East and Pacific	All Japan Filers	Got the NOA2 e-mail just moments ago! WooHoo!!!  Congrats!!	Takeo	Not Telling	Japan	2013-07-22 01:02:00
Asia: East and Pacific	All Japan Filers	After further research, I found that to schedule with the Tokyo embassy, my fiancee needs to email them requesting the interview date.  She sent it out yesterday, we'll see if she gets a response.  Any information from those of you who have gone through the interview process in Tokyo will be appreciated.  We hope to get an interview on August 12.	Takeo	Not Telling	Japan	2013-07-10 16:23:00
Asia: East and Pacific	All Japan Filers	Hi all, My fiancee paid online for the Visa last night and tried to choose an appointment date on the Travel Doc website, but  when she gets to the calendar section, all days are greyed and it says something about Interview Dates are Unavailable.  Did any of you have this?  Is there a few days for the Travel Doc website to open up the calendar so that she can choose a date?  Appreciate some feedback.  My fiancee will obtain her police certificate and schedule her medical evaluation so we are getting there, but being unable to schedule the interview after paying was an unexpected hurdle.	Takeo	Not Telling	Japan	2013-07-09 14:09:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Packet 3	I have never receive packet 3. Its been 12 days. What should I do? Your timeline does not indicate that your case has left NVC and received by the embassy, has it?  If you called NVC and found out when it left, there is a trick to use the DHL website to guess when your case may have been received by the embassy.	Takeo	Not Telling	Japan	2013-05-31 20:41:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	DHL Tracking From NVC to US Embassy	I used this tracking method and after figuring out the spacing to input the reference number, found my package arrived at the counsulate on 5/28 and sure enough, my fiancee got her packet 3 on 5/30! thanks for sharing!	Takeo	Not Telling	Japan	2013-05-31 20:44:00
Philippines	Honolulu Civil Surgeon	I live on the Big Island and we have two Civil Surgeons.  One wants to do a full exam for $400, the other will transcribe the DS3025 info to I-693 for $180.  My wife is adamant that her DS3025 is full and complete but I did warn her that some have gotten RFEs.  We will most likely submit a copy of her DS3025 with the quoted USCIS info that I-693 is not needed and pray no RFE.	Takeo	Not Telling	Japan	2013-10-15 16:43:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	APPROVED!!!!!	Cheehooo! Congrats Hawaiian!	Takeo	Not Telling	Japan	2013-02-21 17:37:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	CSC NO2	Congrats!!!!	Takeo	Not Telling	Japan	2013-02-21 17:29:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	NOA2 CSC AUGUST FILLER	Congrats! I'm an August filer also and contacted my Senator last week but no response yet.	Takeo	Not Telling	Japan	2013-03-28 13:20:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	Called the Senators office..	I've written my two Senators. I heard my email is sitting at the first Senator's office that I wrote to, but no email or call back yet, over 3 weeks. I'm sorry for your frustration, hurt, and anger. Many of us are experiencing similar frustrations and there is no logical explanation, which adds to the frustration. Add these stressors to our individual challenges in life and it can be a bit overwhelming. Everyday, when I talk with my fiance, I am grateful that we can communicate, Skype and Line are wonderful internet tools to stay in touch. In June 2011, I was in a shoreline fishing tournament and got swept off the cliffs here in Hawaii by a big wave. There was no where to climb back up. I was exhausted and drowning. Four of my friends, tied a rope that I had brought, to a lifeguard float, also which I had brought, threw it out to me, and after about another 10 minutes or so of bobbing up and down in the rough surf and becoming totally exhausted, they pulled me up a 20 foot cliff! Life changed that day! My perpective on life changed. As I face challenges, it's still stressful, but I am grateful to be alive to experience them. A month after my accident, I met my fiance and although this visa process has been challenging, having her in my life has been such a blessing. She is thousands of miles away, but each morning when I get up, I am grateful to have that relationship and know that this separation is only temporary. As my fiance and I face these challenges together, we try our best to stay positive and to allow ourselves to grow as individuals as well as a couple. It's not easy, but it's much healthier than wallowing in grief and sadness. The whole purpose of the K1 is to pursue my life's happiness. The Japanese have a word "Gambatte" which means, "do your best" and "never give up". Gambatte my K1 friends, Gambatte! Aloha!	Takeo	Not Telling	Japan	2013-04-12 21:05:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	Approved!!! 6th August	Yay!! An August CSC filer, congrats!	Takeo	Not Telling	Japan	2013-04-15 20:39:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	thank you GOD.	CONGRATS!!!	Takeo	Not Telling	Japan	2013-04-16 20:14:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	K-1 Visa Approved!	Congrats!!	Takeo	Not Telling	Japan	2013-04-16 15:02:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	August filer, CSC, NOA2!	Congratulations!	Takeo	Not Telling	Japan	2013-04-17 23:09:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	Info from Sen. Boxer's office on K-1s	What I was told by an aide of hers this morning (4/19) is that CSC has gotten local field offices to pitch in with DACA applications which has freed them up to work on other apps including I-129Fs. They have been flooded by calls (both the USCIS and the Senator's office) regarding this matter so based on the inquiries she has made she was told that all July and Aug applications should be processed by the end of April. Sep (where mine is) and Oct will all be taken care of by May. Obviously they have approved some Sep apps as well in this flurry. I am just passing info I was given, have no clue how accurate or inaccurate it is. That's great news! Recently, a few VJ members, myself included, had their local Congressmen/Senators inquire about the delay, especially in processing July-October petitions. I really hope that these inquiries helped speed things up. Whatever the reason, I'm sure many of us are cautiously optimistic!	Takeo	Not Telling	Japan	2013-04-19 16:35:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	Over 20 approvals today!!!!	So awesome to see that! Maybe USCIS is monitoring this forum, haha! Or maybe they were getting tired of receiving inquiries from Senators and Congressmen. Whatever the case, lets all pray that CSC continues at this rate! What the heck, lets hope the rate increases!	Takeo	Not Telling	Japan	2013-04-18 20:31:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	noa2 finally	Congrats! Good to see July filers getting approved, that was a long wait!	Takeo	Not Telling	Japan	2013-04-21 01:54:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	NOA 2!!!	Congratulations!	Takeo	Not Telling	Japan	2013-04-23 03:49:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	I'm a July and California approved me at 2:30 am!?!!! Woo -hoo	Congrats! I have the same problem, forgot the next steps been waiting so long! First on the list if my memory serves me right is "celebrate"!	Takeo	Not Telling	Japan	2013-04-23 13:15:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	NOA2!	Congrats!	Takeo	Not Telling	Japan	2013-04-23 03:53:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	Another happy thread!!!	Congrats and aloha!	Takeo	Not Telling	Japan	2013-04-23 03:38:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	NOA-2!!	Congrats!!! Thanks for being sensitive to those of us who have been waiting longer.	Takeo	Not Telling	Japan	2013-04-15 14:31:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	Pinching myself...	Congratulations!! August to April, nice! That is the timeframe I was predicting, but still waiting. Happy Anniversary to you two!	Takeo	Not Telling	Japan	2013-04-23 14:55:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	Is it normal?	I keep reading others got 2 notices, one for the decision and one when the hard copy is mailed.	Takeo	Not Telling	Japan	2013-04-24 03:59:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	Wow! We got action!	I just got 2 more notifications for RFE I don't think USCIS has a separate notice to say "We are sending an RFE" from that of "An RFE was sent". Hopefully the first two was notice to inform you, and the recent two was to inform you that your RFE was mailed. Since you are in California, you should get it soon. Keep us updated and good luck with the RFEs!	Takeo	Not Telling	Japan	2013-04-24 13:24:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	Wow! We got action!	Well i live in california, Should i get the RFE pretty soon in the mail from CSC? I was searching the RFE posts today since I also got an RFE. The petitioners in California seem to get it within 3-4 days of mailing but some said it took them 3-4 business days to mail, so don't be suprised if you get a second notice with an RFE date in a few days, that's just the notice of mailing. I followed the VJ guidelines, but still got an RFE, hope it's an easy fix.	Takeo	Not Telling	Japan	2013-04-23 21:04:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	Crying so hard	Congratulations!	Takeo	Not Telling	Japan	2013-04-23 03:51:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	RFE query	Good luck to you too. We have the same NOA1! Thank you, good luck to you too! Just wondering why so many RFEs in the past few days. Is it just because more cases are being processed? When you get your letter, please share your info on the other thread I started regarding "April RFEs". Curious to hear what sort of corrections USCIS is asking for.	Takeo	Not Telling	Japan	2013-04-25 14:27:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	RFE query	There have been quite a few others asking the same questions. I did an RFE search on this forum and it turns out the first notice is when the decision is being made. Although the notice says an RFE was mailed, it isn't mailed till you receive the second notice. Good luck on your RFE, I just got one also.	Takeo	Not Telling	Japan	2013-04-25 13:19:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	Sent Letter to Senator (Hawaii)	don't forget, she doesn't have to travel with her dog, since it will be in quarantine once it arrives into Hawaii, she can send it ahead prior to the cut off date and hopefully reunite sooner when she arrives. I sent my cat from Australia to Hawaii last August, and I arrived in December. He didn't need quarantine as Australia is rabies free, but he was quite happy and relaxed when I got here. Yes, she can send her dog ahead of time, but we completed the 5-day-or-less requirements which should allow an immediate release of her dog upon inpsection at the airport quarantine center. We did a 120 day waiting period after required shots and labwork, which makes the dog eligble to be released as long as the shots are up to date and I think within 3 years of the labwork. It's pretty complicated, but the wait is way less frustrating than the wait for NOA2!	Takeo	Not Telling	Japan	2013-04-25 18:40:00