Spouse visa

[DrS]

Hello, everyone.
This is going to be my first post.

Here is my situation.

I live in US(Los Anegeles) and married a Chinese girl.(I am a Japanese.)
We married last year and registered KOSEKI at the same time.
Now I would like to apply Spouse visa for my wife.

I guess I prepared all cocuments needed but would like to know how long usually it takes to get the visa.

We plan on leaving for Japan this April.

Thank you.

 

[Glenski]

I'm American married to a Japanese woman. I got my spouse visa while in Japan, and it took less than 3 weeks. I would think it might take a little longer if you are not in Japan.

Just recently Japanese immigration came out with a large set of documents for people to complete for their spouse visa. If you haven't already done that (citing lots of information about both your personal history), expect that to happen, with ensuing delays.

Here is a good reference link if you need it.
UPDATE: Visiting Immigration re Spouse Visa questionnaire | debito.org

 

[Mike Cash]

Nothing anyone tells you about "how long" it will take is going to be accurate, including the people at 入国管理局.

I applied for a change of status and was told it would take from six months to one year. That was 16 months ago and I'm still waiting.

 

[Glenski]

Nothing anyone tells you about "how long" it will take is going to be accurate,

I beg to differ. Immigration is usually pretty close to being accurate, provided that you have completed your documentation properly. That's what I have seen for myself and lots of friends. The only time it takes longer is when you don't do the paperwork right.

It might help to know what sort of "change of status" you are talking about, Mike, and what hoops you've been asked to jump through.

 

[Mike Cash]

Beg to differ all you like and express wonder over whether I completed my documentation properly all you like.

Immigration gave out the info in October 2005 that changes to PR status were taking 6 months to 1 year to complete. When we called in October 2006 to see what was happening we were informed that Immigration was running a tremendous backlog and that applications from July 2005 were just beginning to get approved.

 

[Glenski]

Gee, Mike, then why, did I and 2 other people get the news from immigration that PR would require 3-6 months to get (last year), yet it only took all of us about 2 months? Well, I guess, in that sense you could say that one can't believe immigration's timelines, but it seemed to have worked in our favor that time!

I'm just guessing that the backlog came from a particular immigration location. Tokyo, perhaps? Some place where there are tons of people applying.

Best of luck to you. I would be very upset if I had to wait as long as you.

 

[Mike Cash]

Gee, Mike, then why, did I and 2 other people get the news from immigration that PR would require 3-6 months to get (last year), yet it only took all of us about 2 months? Well, I guess, in that sense you could say that one can't believe immigration's timelines, but it seemed to have worked in our favor that time!

Exactly. It is another example of their stated timeline being unreliable. Congratulations on living in an area unflooded with applications due to the recently relaxed policy for granting PR.

I'm just guessing that the backlog came from a particular immigration location. Tokyo, perhaps? Some place where there are tons of people applying.
Best of luck to you. I would be very upset if I had to wait as long as you.

My life has been on hold for over two decades, so I'm used to it by now. At this rate, however, it does look as though I'll have to renew my current visa while waiting for word on the PR. Hell, I'm halfway through it already.

I suppose I could go to Takasaki on Tuesday and inquire what?, but I also sort of want to visit my internet provider and ask them what happened to the fiber optic campaign I signed up for last August and which was supposed to be installed by October.....but still isn't.

 

[DrS]

Thank you so much for the link, Glenski.
It is very informative.
BTW, I just came back from Japanese Embassy.
It was very simple and easy.
He says it only takes 3~4 days for my wife to recieve spouse visa.
I let you guys know.

 

[GaijinPunch]

I got a spousal visa in the US before coming. It took 10 days. Like a *****, I didn't come here within 90 days, so I'm on a tourist. I applied last month just at the New Year, and here I am, waiting.

 

[DrS]

I just called Japanese Consulate and was told that the visa is ready to pick up.
It took me only 2 days!
Thank you very much, everyone.

 

[k8to]

applying for a spouse visa

Hi everyone,

This is my first post. My fiance is Japanese and we plan to be married in the US this fall. My fiance is in Japan now and I plan on moving back there with him after the wedding. I'm wondering if it is better to apply for the spouse visa before or after going to Japan. I don't want to get into trouble at customs. Any recommendations? Thank you!

 

[Glenski]

You're not going to get into any "trouble" if you come to Japan as a tourist and then file for a spouse visa. It's up to you to decide whether it's easier to get all the documentation needed and deal with whatever consulate or embassy is near your US home, or to do it in Japan. You'll have to translate your marriage license if you apply in Japan, if that makes any difference. And, if you get married in the US, I believe there is a time limit within which you must register your marriage in Japan (3 months? 6 months? can't recall which) anyway.

 

[Petaris]

I want to say it was 3 months when my wife and I were married on Kauai, HI in 2007.

 

[naveeh]

Question

i married my gf in new york , Us last year , and she is japanese national and im a pakistani citizen.. we planed to live in japan together and she already registerd our marriage in city hall and applied for my visa already , embassy said it might take upto 3 months, but 3 months passed already but no response, so i want to ask if we should wait or is there anything else we should do to know about our status?

 

[Mike Cash]

There is no harm in calling/visiting to check the status.

 

[naveeh]

..

There is no harm in calling/visiting to check the status.

oh all right ,, thank you mike