Hi all,
Im a bit confused on this process and need some clarity, and how to go about all of this.
I am a US citizen, my wife is a Japanese national US green card holder, and we're both currently living in the US.
We are considering moving to Japan but I'm really confused on the spouse visa process.
I already know that we first have to get married in Japan, and once that's approved, we can start the application for the COE…this is where I get confused.
Apparently my wife can only apply for the COE in Japan, NOT at the embassy here in DC…and she'd have to prove her residency in Japan, I guess by maybe giving her Mom's address, as we live in the US…but then when I receive the COE, I can apply for the visa at the Japanese embassy, but I only have 3 months from the COE issue date to get to Japan…I'm guessing they know this and would get visa to me pretty quickly…but I don't know…
I feel like maybe we should hire a Japanese immigration lawyer to assist?
What do others do to make this a smooth process?
Thank you for any and all advice.
Edit: also to add, can I be in Japan while waiting for the COE, and do I have to come back to the states to apply for the spouse visa, or can I apply in Japan for it and if so, where? Because a lot of things I'm seeing say you have to apply at the Japanese embassy in your home country…
by tattoojew