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Here's my experience TODAY at US Embassy in Tokyo.


I got up really early and went to the Embassy at 6:45 am (yes, it was TOO early). I was the first in line and even the security people (Tokyo Police officers) made some comments like "Aren't you little early for this?"

I waited till 7:45 or so with 15 more people in the line outside the emabassy. I went inside the property but we were asked to wait outside again till the security is ready to put us in the building.

Waited for another 20 min or so and they let us in. By now, we have about 25 people waiting in line. I went through the security and 2 nice employees gave each of us a paper to fill in (to write down: Name, Address in Japan, Address in US, Phone numbers).

One of the 2 employees gave me a clear folder with a small paper with the list of documents that we were supposed to bring. He asked me to put them in the order that this small paper listed.

They never asked for the appointment letter because they had a list of people on a printout that they are comparing with the interviewee that came through the security. (But that doesn't mean you don't need the appointment letter.

You should bring it just in case the list doesn't have your name for a mistake or something.)
I was asked to sit in the waiting area. My number was called to the window. I submitted all the papers. The officer gave me back the X-Ray photo but took the rest. She asked me to sit down again.

Then I was called to another window for finger printing. After that, I was asked to pay at the window $755. I paid with my credit card.
I waited again, and I was called for an interview.

She took the receipt for the visa fees. She asked me to swear that all documents are true. I said "Yes" with my right hand in the air. She asked me if I had a job lined up already and I told her that I am already working in the US. And the employment letter is included in the pile of documents.

She saw it asked what exactly I did. I explained.

She said, "I have authorized to issue your immigrant visa. Come back at 4 PM to pick up the passport with the visa." I was so happy and relieved...
It was in a way so simple but the time tested my patience and sanity. (I got the 1st NL in early June last year and got my 2nd package in early August, now the interview is done in September... Gosh, what a long journey.)

Little bit about me: - H1B holder - Has been working in US for 7 years - Employment based green card application has been under process for over 2 years. NOTHING had happened for that duration. (Now I will stop that.) - AS109XX was my case number (how close it was to be truly "cut off" from the DV2005!) - No saving... so I didn't bring my bank stament - I brought I-134 from a US friend

Good luck to you all!! K