K-1 vs. K-3: fastest way to bring girlfriend from Japan to Seattle?
Dec 2nd 2003, 12:55 am
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
K-1 vs. K-3: fastest way to bring girlfriend from Japan to Seattle?
My situation: I'm a U.S. citizen, and she's Japanese and living in
Tokyo. Dating a long time, and planning to get married and for her to
come to Seattle, where I live. She's single with no children.
Timetable: I will visit Japan next week, and maybe again in March or
April. She would like to move to Seattle as early as the beginning of
June.
I'm confused as to what's the easiest process. By my research, if we
marry here, she might have to leave as she'd just be here up to 90
days on a visa waiver.
So, which is faster: the K-1 or the K-3 process? We would be
comfortable getting married in Japan during my visit this month, or we
can wait. Either way, we wouldn't be able to start filing the
paperwork until I return to the U.S. in mid-January - unless there's
some shortcut I don't know about by working with the U.S. embassy in
Japan. About how much time would each process take?
Advanced thanks for any help/advice you can provide.
Tokyo. Dating a long time, and planning to get married and for her to
come to Seattle, where I live. She's single with no children.
Timetable: I will visit Japan next week, and maybe again in March or
April. She would like to move to Seattle as early as the beginning of
June.
I'm confused as to what's the easiest process. By my research, if we
marry here, she might have to leave as she'd just be here up to 90
days on a visa waiver.
So, which is faster: the K-1 or the K-3 process? We would be
comfortable getting married in Japan during my visit this month, or we
can wait. Either way, we wouldn't be able to start filing the
paperwork until I return to the U.S. in mid-January - unless there's
some shortcut I don't know about by working with the U.S. embassy in
Japan. About how much time would each process take?
Advanced thanks for any help/advice you can provide.
Dec 2nd 2003, 1:27 am
#2
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 35,082
Re: K-1 vs. K-3: fastest way to bring girlfriend from Japan to Seattle?
Originally posted by Dimsumfan Either way, we wouldn't be able to start filing the
paperwork until I return to the U.S. in mid-January - unless there's
some shortcut I don't know about by working with the U.S. embassy in
Japan. About how much time would each process take?
Advanced thanks for any help/advice you can provide.
paperwork until I return to the U.S. in mid-January - unless there's
some shortcut I don't know about by working with the U.S. embassy in
Japan. About how much time would each process take?
Advanced thanks for any help/advice you can provide.
Dec 2nd 2003, 2:38 am
#3
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2003
Location: Bandera, Texas - Medellin, Colombia
Posts: 550
Re: K-1 vs. K-3: fastest way to bring girlfriend from Japan to Seattle?
You beat me to the punch because this is exactly the advice I was going to offer. If the rest of us poor souls could have done DCF, we'd be with our spouses now. Very few American embassies allow non-resident US citizens to DCF. Enjoy it! By the way, the US embassy in Japan has a site on marriage to a Japanese citizen with a lot of useful information. Check it out if you haven't seen it: http://usembassy.state.gov/tokyo/wwwhacs-7114.html
Originally posted by meauxna
There is a 'short cut' and it is available in Japan (or has been until recently). Search/read about DCF/Direct Consular Filing (here's a good explanation http://k1.exit.com/dcf.html) . I recall recent Japan processing times = less than 3 months. Keep in mind that this process will result in her entering with an Immigrant Visa/Green Card; no need to Adjust Status after. You do need to be married, and you can start your paperwork chase *now* (in fact, it's a good idea).
There is a 'short cut' and it is available in Japan (or has been until recently). Search/read about DCF/Direct Consular Filing (here's a good explanation http://k1.exit.com/dcf.html) . I recall recent Japan processing times = less than 3 months. Keep in mind that this process will result in her entering with an Immigrant Visa/Green Card; no need to Adjust Status after. You do need to be married, and you can start your paperwork chase *now* (in fact, it's a good idea).
Dec 2nd 2003, 3:00 am
#4
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: K-1 vs. K-3: fastest way to bring girlfriend from Japan to Seattle?
I applied for an I-129F for my Japanese fiancée 15 May '03, and received
approval 10 Nov. '03. It is now en route to the embassy in Tokyo where she
will have an interview, after additional paperwork (police record check,
medical exam, my affidavit of support) is completed (submitted?). I'm
estimating that the interview/visa approval will be complete no earlier than
mid-Jan.
I think, from what I've learned about DCF, that it is a much faster process,
if you meet the requirements. The real advantage is bypassing the AOS which
you have to do once you get married with a fiancee visa.
Omedeto (best wishes), and whichever route you select, get going ASAP.
"meauxna" <member1851@british_expats.com> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Originally posted by Dimsumfan Either way, we wouldn't be
> able to start filing the
> > paperwork until I return to the U.S. in mid-January - unless there's
> > some shortcut I don't know about by working with the U.S. embassy in
> > Japan. About how much time would each process take?
> >
> > Advanced thanks for any help/advice you can provide.
> There is a 'short cut' and it is available in Japan (or has been until
> recently). Search/read about DCF/Direct Consular Filing (here's a good
> explanation http://k1.exit.com/dcf.html) . I recall recent
> Japan processing times = less than 3 months. Keep in mind that this
> process will result in her entering with an Immigrant Visa/Green Card;
> no need to Adjust Status after. You do need to be married, and you can
> start your paperwork chase *now* (in fact, it's a good idea).
> --
> Posted via http://britishexpats.com
approval 10 Nov. '03. It is now en route to the embassy in Tokyo where she
will have an interview, after additional paperwork (police record check,
medical exam, my affidavit of support) is completed (submitted?). I'm
estimating that the interview/visa approval will be complete no earlier than
mid-Jan.
I think, from what I've learned about DCF, that it is a much faster process,
if you meet the requirements. The real advantage is bypassing the AOS which
you have to do once you get married with a fiancee visa.
Omedeto (best wishes), and whichever route you select, get going ASAP.
"meauxna" <member1851@british_expats.com> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Originally posted by Dimsumfan Either way, we wouldn't be
> able to start filing the
> > paperwork until I return to the U.S. in mid-January - unless there's
> > some shortcut I don't know about by working with the U.S. embassy in
> > Japan. About how much time would each process take?
> >
> > Advanced thanks for any help/advice you can provide.
> There is a 'short cut' and it is available in Japan (or has been until
> recently). Search/read about DCF/Direct Consular Filing (here's a good
> explanation http://k1.exit.com/dcf.html) . I recall recent
> Japan processing times = less than 3 months. Keep in mind that this
> process will result in her entering with an Immigrant Visa/Green Card;
> no need to Adjust Status after. You do need to be married, and you can
> start your paperwork chase *now* (in fact, it's a good idea).
> --
> Posted via http://britishexpats.com
Dec 2nd 2003, 7:30 am
#5
Forum Regular
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 39
Re: K-1 vs. K-3: fastest way to bring girlfriend from Japan to Seattle?
I have a little experience on this, and I'd start learning Japanese, now, if I were you. I would also get married in Japan (you just go down to the city hall and sign some papers, and don't forget you're 'I'm single' declaration which needs to be signed by the embassy I think).
You may want to figure out if you want to take her family's name in Japan (you get the kanji as well as katakana), or if she wants to change hers. It's important for the paperwork ('reishiki', I think) on that end.
Go for the DCF, go for the DCF....
J. Vlach, Amsterdam
You may want to figure out if you want to take her family's name in Japan (you get the kanji as well as katakana), or if she wants to change hers. It's important for the paperwork ('reishiki', I think) on that end.
Go for the DCF, go for the DCF....
J. Vlach, Amsterdam
Dec 3rd 2003, 3:14 am
#6
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: K-1 vs. K-3: fastest way to bring girlfriend from Japan to
Do the DCF----I can second the recommendations on this as it seems K-1
and K-3 filings are taking the same amount of time to process and K-3 is
no longer a fast-track route into the USA.
and K-3 filings are taking the same amount of time to process and K-3 is
no longer a fast-track route into the USA.
Dec 3rd 2003, 8:23 am
#7
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: K-1 vs. K-3: fastest way to bring girlfriend from Japan to Seattle?
Many, many thanks to all of you for your quick and fabulous help! I
had called BCIS, and they told me that Direct Consular Filing was not
possible for Japan. Thanks to your encouragement, I did some research
and called the Embassy in Japan directly - and not only is it
possible, but I set up an appointment for early January!
So, we will work on the marriage piece at the end of December, and be
compiling all the necesssary information starting now. Anyone have
experience on how long the initial filing takes (time we should expect
to spend at the Embassy)? Any tips on getting the "Packet 3" before
the first trip to the Embassy? Any other helpful suggestions also
welcomed!
Cheers...
Kocourkov <member17536@british_expats.com> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> I have a little experience on this, and I'd start learning Japanese,
> now, if I were you. I would also get married in Japan (you just go down
> to the city hall and sign some papers, and don't forget you're 'I'm
> single' declaration which needs to be signed by the embassy I think).
>
>
>
> You may want to figure out if you want to take her family's name in
> Japan (you get the kanji as well as katakana), or if she wants to
> change hers. It's important for the paperwork ('reishiki', I think)
> on that end.
>
>
>
> Go for the DCF, go for the DCF....
>
>
>
> J. Vlach, Amsterdam
had called BCIS, and they told me that Direct Consular Filing was not
possible for Japan. Thanks to your encouragement, I did some research
and called the Embassy in Japan directly - and not only is it
possible, but I set up an appointment for early January!
So, we will work on the marriage piece at the end of December, and be
compiling all the necesssary information starting now. Anyone have
experience on how long the initial filing takes (time we should expect
to spend at the Embassy)? Any tips on getting the "Packet 3" before
the first trip to the Embassy? Any other helpful suggestions also
welcomed!
Cheers...
Kocourkov <member17536@british_expats.com> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> I have a little experience on this, and I'd start learning Japanese,
> now, if I were you. I would also get married in Japan (you just go down
> to the city hall and sign some papers, and don't forget you're 'I'm
> single' declaration which needs to be signed by the embassy I think).
>
>
>
> You may want to figure out if you want to take her family's name in
> Japan (you get the kanji as well as katakana), or if she wants to
> change hers. It's important for the paperwork ('reishiki', I think)
> on that end.
>
>
>
> Go for the DCF, go for the DCF....
>
>
>
> J. Vlach, Amsterdam
Dec 3rd 2003, 1:31 pm
#8
SUPER CRUNCHY BALCONY COW
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 9,476
Re: K-1 vs. K-3: fastest way to bring girlfriend from Japan to
Originally posted by Maryanne Kehoe
Do the DCF----I can second the recommendations on this as it seems K-1
and K-3 filings are taking the same amount of time to process and K-3 is
no longer a fast-track route into the USA.
Do the DCF----I can second the recommendations on this as it seems K-1
and K-3 filings are taking the same amount of time to process and K-3 is
no longer a fast-track route into the USA.
Dec 3rd 2003, 5:43 pm
#9
SUPER CRUNCHY BALCONY COW
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 9,476
Re: K-1 vs. K-3: fastest way to bring girlfriend from Japan to Seattle?
Originally posted by Dimsumfan
Many, many thanks to all of you for your quick and fabulous help! I
had called BCIS, and they told me that Direct Consular Filing was not
possible for Japan. Thanks to your encouragement, I did some research
and called the Embassy in Japan directly - and not only is it
possible, but I set up an appointment for early January!
So, we will work on the marriage piece at the end of December, and be
compiling all the necesssary information starting now. Anyone have
experience on how long the initial filing takes (time we should expect
to spend at the Embassy)? Any tips on getting the "Packet 3" before
the first trip to the Embassy? Any other helpful suggestions also
welcomed!
Cheers...
Kocourkov <member17536@british_expats.com> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> I have a little experience on this, and I'd start learning Japanese,
> now, if I were you. I would also get married in Japan (you just go down
> to the city hall and sign some papers, and don't forget you're 'I'm
> single' declaration which needs to be signed by the embassy I think).
>
>
>
> You may want to figure out if you want to take her family's name in
> Japan (you get the kanji as well as katakana), or if she wants to
> change hers. It's important for the paperwork ('reishiki', I think)
> on that end.
>
>
>
> Go for the DCF, go for the DCF....
>
>
>
> J. Vlach, Amsterdam
Many, many thanks to all of you for your quick and fabulous help! I
had called BCIS, and they told me that Direct Consular Filing was not
possible for Japan. Thanks to your encouragement, I did some research
and called the Embassy in Japan directly - and not only is it
possible, but I set up an appointment for early January!
So, we will work on the marriage piece at the end of December, and be
compiling all the necesssary information starting now. Anyone have
experience on how long the initial filing takes (time we should expect
to spend at the Embassy)? Any tips on getting the "Packet 3" before
the first trip to the Embassy? Any other helpful suggestions also
welcomed!
Cheers...
Kocourkov <member17536@british_expats.com> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> I have a little experience on this, and I'd start learning Japanese,
> now, if I were you. I would also get married in Japan (you just go down
> to the city hall and sign some papers, and don't forget you're 'I'm
> single' declaration which needs to be signed by the embassy I think).
>
>
>
> You may want to figure out if you want to take her family's name in
> Japan (you get the kanji as well as katakana), or if she wants to
> change hers. It's important for the paperwork ('reishiki', I think)
> on that end.
>
>
>
> Go for the DCF, go for the DCF....
>
>
>
> J. Vlach, Amsterdam
Anytime
Timelines vary so I can't tell you how long it takes, every consulate is different
Take care!
Dec 3rd 2003, 6:32 pm
#10
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 35,082
Re: K-1 vs. K-3: fastest way to bring girlfriend from Japan to Seattle?
Originally posted by Dimsumfan
Many, many thanks to all of you for your quick and fabulous help! I
had called BCIS, and they told me that Direct Consular Filing was not
possible for Japan. Thanks to your encouragement, I did some research
and called the Embassy in Japan directly - and not only is it
possible, but I set up an appointment for early January!
So, we will work on the marriage piece at the end of December, and be
compiling all the necesssary information starting now. Anyone have
experience on how long the initial filing takes (time we should expect
to spend at the Embassy)? Any tips on getting the "Packet 3" before
the first trip to the Embassy? Any other helpful suggestions also
welcomed!
Cheers...
Many, many thanks to all of you for your quick and fabulous help! I
had called BCIS, and they told me that Direct Consular Filing was not
possible for Japan. Thanks to your encouragement, I did some research
and called the Embassy in Japan directly - and not only is it
possible, but I set up an appointment for early January!
So, we will work on the marriage piece at the end of December, and be
compiling all the necesssary information starting now. Anyone have
experience on how long the initial filing takes (time we should expect
to spend at the Embassy)? Any tips on getting the "Packet 3" before
the first trip to the Embassy? Any other helpful suggestions also
welcomed!
Cheers...
You do understand that you will need to appear for the first "interview"?
This NG is called alt.visa.us.marriage-based & the archives are at google/groups. The most recent post for a Japan DCF shows processing of 2 months. Typically you can go to the consulate at any time and ask real nice for the Packet 3 (I got my P3&P4 info before I'd filed anything, tho my Consulate doesn't normally do that). Look into what docs you can order now while you're in the US (tax traxnscripts etc). Your GF can order police/birth/divorce records etc.
Start a checklist and a binder & start organizing!
