H1B Stamping in TOKYO , JAPAN

[highflier_2000]

I had to travel for work urgently to Tokyo for a meeting from the US, where I currently work on a H1B visa. I got mine renewed recently, but did not have a chance to get it stamped.

I know a lot of people who have been to canada or mexico for stamping, but I couldn't find any info on folks that went to a different country like Japan for stamping.

I wanted to post info on my experience so it may be useful for others in the future, who may be travelling to a different country (like Japan) for H1B stamping.

I went on the Japanese US Consulate page and went through the process to schedule my appointment. It was very straight forward - I picked Tokyo as my appointment. Unlike India there was no HDFC/ Local bank. I could just pay online with my credit card. No hassles at all.

I was able to get a date pretty much any day I wanted (except Mondays... they don't do stamps on Monday).

link to the website: http://www.ustraveldocs.com/jp/

Once I got my date, I showed up around 30 mins earlier at the US consulate in Tokyo. The process was straightforward. They had a convenient option of checking in phones, laptops etc.. at security ..(which many consulates don't allow at all ). The staff was super helpful and friendly.

For detailed information on the process & procedures you can refer the link below-

http://japan.usembas...procedures.html

The entire interview took 2 hours. Very long. They had one window for doc submit, then they had one for finger printing and then the final interview. During the interview , it was general questions.. Where do you work etc..

I told him I have to leave back to US in 5 days and I'm here only for a meeting. The officer instructed me that he cannot guarantee anything but he will try. He also told me there will be an additional day for administrative processing and he cannot tell me if my H1B is approved..

I told him that I would want to pick up my passport to avoid any delays from shipping my passport. They made note on my file.

In three business days I received an email that my passport was ready for pickup. I was told to come between 2~3pm. I showed up and received my passport in 15 mins.

I am back in the US now but wanted to post my experience, hoping it would help others who might be in a dilemma travelling from US to another country (other than India or Canada or Mexico).

Wait times in the consulate you are interested to go to can be found on this page.

http://travel.state..../wait_4638.html

Just select the location and it will show you accurate wait times.

Overall it was a little easier than I thought it would be. Hope this helps.