DS160 form

Since I received instruction from Embassy, I started to fill the online form DS-160.
I did once when I applied F1 visa.
At that time, staff from study abroad agency helped me by phone.

This time, visa type is different, questions are different.
When move pointer on sentence, it shows translation, so mostly I could, no problem.

This morning I reviewed, enter correct answer which I was not sure.
Reached confirmation page, printed out.

With that number, I proceeded next process.
I made my profile on US embassy website, paid application fee by credit card, and made interview appointment!
It's one month ahead.
The earliest available date was Feb 12th. That's too soon.
I should get police certificate and medical exam.

Maybe this month passes quickly.
 

Packet from Embassy

Today I received big envelope.

From US Embassy!

When I checked visa status online, it shows "ready", that means they can accept my interview booking.
But I hadn't received this envelope AKA "instruction".
I guessed it should be on way here, then today!

Now I can fill the form DS160, they say it takes 1.5 to 2.0 hours.
I've done before when applied F1-visa for student.
So I know some but this time should be more info...

I do soon and make appointment for interview!

K-1 visa

Yesterday I went to Osaka Prefectural Police to apply Police certificate which is needed to submit at visa interview.
Whenever I go to police, I get nervous(^_^;)
From other bloggers, I heard it took 30mins but actually less than it.
Waited one staff to pick me up at lobby, she simply confirmed my ID, document from NVC and passport, led to the room.
I filled up one form (they explain what to write) then they scanned my finger print.
That's it.
2 weeks later, I go there again to pick up the envelope. (Do not open!)

Today, I made an appointment of medical exam.
The clinic is located in Kobe. (Not at your nearby hospital!)
On Feb 13th.
Ohhhh, I get nervous again.
But can feel taking each step.
 

Case number

Yesterday I wrote that we haven't received case number since we got NOA2 end of Dec.

Last night, we got it!
I was almost let my fiancé send claim mail(^_^;)
He and also our lawyer received that email which has case number.
Still it takes time to forward petition to embassy in Japan several weeks.

Several??

Again, too long!

Anyway, our visa journey goes on.
   
 

Visa situation

About fiancé visa, we got Notification of Action 2 (NOA2).
That was Dec 25th.
Petitioner received actual mail on that day.
Approval date is Dec 18th.

Our case is sent to National Visa Center (NVC), they issue a case number.
They say it takes around 30 days.
And our lawyer says 45 to 60 days.

What??

That's too long!
I'm really disappointed.
Why that takes so long...
In this letter, we have to allow at least 30days to hear next step.
I feel we can claim.
Wondering the US government shutdown affects or not.

Hope we hear something from them soon.



 

Approved

For these 6 months I kept checking our case status USCIS online.

This morning when I opened that site as my routine, I saw different alphabet.

"case was approved"

?!?!?!
I always saw "case was received", what??
Finally our petition for alien fiancé was approved!

Like other bloggers mention, took almost whole 6 months.

While waiting,  I feel worked a lot.
In September, I joined handmade market at World Trade Center in Osaka.
Now I have bulk order, 30pcs initial jewelries and some pieces.

Once approved, the embassy in your country sends or emails you next instruction.
That takes 3 to 4 weeks, I heard.
When you received case number, you can start next step like getting police certification and immune shot at certain hospital.

Maybe 3 to 4 weeks pass soon, because we have winter holiday, have fun.
I enjoy this season in Japan.







 

How are you?

I really left this page for long time...

Last post was 'questionnaire' , now current situation is...
we submitted our petition to USCIS last month! Finally!

We prepared lots of documents, filed them to the mutual folder of both of our lawyer and us, we waited, waited, waited for the farm prepare to send to USCIS for a month.
We guessed they are busy, maybe taking care of us too...
but almost 4 weeks, it was enough time to reach the last straw to me.
I sent message not to assistant but lawyer herself directly.

Probably it worked.
Suddenly they moved on our case.
From my previous work, I'm used to send claim mail...

Anyway we got case number, what we can do now is just waiting for NOA2.

In meantime, I had a pop-up store at Hanshin Department store in Osaka for a week in early July.
For me, it was a great experience and compared to daily sales, it ended up great.
I could meet some old friends, coworkers, and new customers.
Attending exhibition is not the first time but selling MY products by myself is very excited thing.

I try to upload this blog more often!
Have a nice weekend!
 

Questionnaire

For my fiancé visa, so called K-1 visa,
we decided to hire lawyer, after looking up some and asking,
came to one attorney.

My fiancé in New York met in person once at their office, sending email each other,
finally we started to prepare for petition.

First thing first is submit the questionnaire.
Each personal basic info, address history, employment history at least 5 years,
education info, family member, stay in US history etc...

Some words are unfamiliar to me because it looks very serious format.
Maybe just avoiding vague expression.

Filling out the questionnaire took 1 week already.
I had to check my passport again and again, look up my college information.

This document is only a tip of iceberg.
I feel really need to study English more...
   

The highest wall

In these days, I'm checking about K-1 visa to move to US.
Is it better to hire lawyer or can we do by ourselves?
Which documents should we submit?
Which place do I have to visit?

Nowadays, thanks to internet, we can access to a lot of information and others' experience.
The highest wall I have to climb is my mom's opposition.
That's almost just emotionally thing.
I'm only child so I know her feeling.
She is living in very close location to her mom. (a few blocks away)
Hardly she went abroad.
She has never lived in other city.
She can't understand why I want to live overseas.

Is there anybody who could persuade your parents?