Job Discussion Forums

[Speed]

Sorry Sherri, I'm not sure if you're directing the green card question at me or not but I' ll answer.

Wifey received her "temporary" permanent residency document from the US embassy in Tokyo before we left for the US. Once she arrived in the US, she had her passport stamped with the admission of a "temporary" permanent resident at the airport. It was valid for one year and it allowed her to live/work in the States.

After a year, she still hadn't received the actual 'card'. But INS did mail her a document extending her "temporary" permanent residency status until the actual card arrived in the mail, which it did 5 months later.

-About 1 and a half years from the time of permanent residency approval to receiving the actual green card.
-Green card valid for 10 years - used to be valid for lifetime but not anymore.

Sherri, I believe you're applying for a green card (permanent residency) for your hubby. If hubby gets permanent residency, this negates the necessity of having a spousal visa (if there is one for the US?). It works the same way.

As far as the interview is concerned in Tokyo, I went to the restroom for about a minute and returned to find out my wife had already had her interview at the window counter! He asked her: how long we'd known each other, how long we've been married, and where we got hitched. That was it.

One more interview was necessary one year after receiving the green card in the states. We'd thought that we'd need pictures of us living in marital bliss and all that but the interview was about as short as the one we had in Tokyo. No problem. Maybe we looked happy together hmmm...

I hope this wasn't confusing. Well anyway good luck.

[Sherri]

Thanks for the info Speed. What you wrote was helpful, especially about the interview itself. I don't see too many problems about proving the validity of our marriage since we have 2 kids!

If I remember I will post about our interview experience. I think we are almost ready to request a date since dh had his health check and got his police report, all papers are assembled and ready to go.

[Lynn]

Hi Sherri,
The hard part is over. You don't even need to be present for the next step.

I flew to Japan in Feb., went to the US Embassy in Tokyo w/ my husband to file for the I-130. It was at this time we had the "interview". We just stood at the window and the clerk asked us how we met and a few other questions.

After that, I flew back to NYC, and my husband got his police and medical check. He went back to the Embassy and submitted those forms, plus my employment verification form(forgot what it's called) which I had notarized when I was in Japan the first time. He basically had to say where he wanted his greencard mailed to in the states, and that was it.

OR******

I just realized something. Since you are a long time resident of Japan, did you sumbit the I-130 by mail? If so, the situation might be different. At any rate, the main point is to verify if this is a legit marrige or not. And like you said, having 2 kids, they will hardly even question you.

Good luck, and don't bring any food or drinks with you because you'll have to leave them in a bin outside the Embassy.

[Sherri]

Yes, we did the I-130 by mail and that was approved. It took about 10 days. I am relieved to hear that the second stage is painless. Thanks for your replies, Speed and Lynn!

[Sherri]

OK, we did it! I was very easy. It took about 3 days for us to get an interview appointment--2 weeks from the time we applied. I thought that was very quick.

At the embassy we submitted our documents, waited for about 20 or 30 minutes, got instructions on how to pay. Waited another 10 mins or so, then were seen by a consular official who picked up on different points on our application, saying things like "oh you were born on Long Island, I grew up there". Then he agreed to approve the application--a matter of minutes. The onlyproblem is that their computer system is down, so I have to go back later today to get the stamp in dh's passport. Overall the whole process was quick and easy.

We didn't have to show any pictures or talk about our relationship. I was worried about not actually having US residency, but they didn't seem to care about that even though it says on the form that only US residents can be sponsors. I was also concerned because I don't have a job in the US, but as long as you can show that you have enough savings/ assets then that is not a problem either.

Good-bye Japan, Hawaii here we come!

[Lynn]

Contrats Sherri! Everything went smoothly. It was pretty easy, right?

I admit, I am super envious that you are going to live in Hawaii. That's where I met my husband. I've longed to return to Hawaii and attend grad school at UH.

Good luck, Sherri! The best to you and your family. I really mean that. I've always enjoyed your posts because they are so insightful. Stop by now and then, okay?

Yours,
Lynn

[Gordon]

Congratulations Sherri.
You won't miss Japan.

Where specifically will you live in Hawaii?

[Speed]

[Sherri]

Thanks Lynn, Gordon and Speed for your well wishes. We are going to the Big Island. We have done tons of research and hubby has work sorted. I hope to pick up pt teaching somewhere along the way and have made some contacts with regard to that.

As for missing Japan, well, as much as I am ready to leave I am sure there are some things I will miss--just can't think of any at the moment! There is a pretty big Japanese population on the Big Island, so we can get Japanese food pretty easily, a big concern of dh.

Top 3 things I will not miss:
3. Struggling on a crowded transportation system with 2 small children
2. Having to share the road with bikes, buses, trucks and cars (no sidewalks in my area)
1. Being a major object of interest to the people around me, the staring and all the "special" attention that my kids get

We won't be off until August, so will be around for a while.
Sherri

[Gordon]

I spent 10 days on the Big Island on my honeymoon. Beautiful place. Is there much of a market there for teaching? I know that Hilo has a big Japanese population, I imagine that is where you'll be. The volcanoes there are spectacular, still very active.