Eric Takabayashi wrote:
> I can't believe the paperwork it will take
> (in Osaka or from the US), to try to get my
> family to Hawaii in time for me to attend
> school, or if that will even be possible.
> It's quite possible that the paperwork
> (including trying to sponsor a family with no
> income for two or more years) is more trouble
> than moving home is worth.
>
> In contrast, all I had to do to come to Japan
> or get a permanent resident visa was submit a
> handful of handwritten forms to the local
> office and sit on my ass at home for a few
> weeks for a post card. It took my wife's
> signature on a piece of paper to "prove" she
> could support ME in Japan. Her financial
> sponsor (apparently not me) needs to read and
> fill out a 16 page form, for starters. WTF?
>
> Is there anyone here who accomplished this
> recently (preferably post 9/11)? Only person
> I know back home in such a situation is a guy
> with a Japanese wife who hasn't shown up yet.
>
Wish I could help for the post 9/11 bit, but my info is about ten years
old now. It wasn't easy, but mainly because my wife had to go to the
main embassy in Tokyo to have a medical check for some reason or other.
I don't recall a lot of paperwork regarding fincancial sponsorship,
though. Did you not register your kids with the embassy when they were
born? If so, isn't there some sort of provisional visa for spouses so
they can go with you until the final paperwork on the permanent
residency goes through?

John W.