MonkeyBoy wrote:

> I've still got plenty of time remaining on my current working visa
> here but also now qualify to obtain a spouse visa.  My question is
> that if I were to move back to the US in the next few months is it
> worth me getting my spouse visa here prior to that return as opposed
> to waiting until I'm back in the States and getting it if/when needed
> in the future?

Getting your visa fixed in Wa is always preferable to asking at an 
Embassy and it takes far less time.

What is the current rule on spouse visas?  When I got my first one, they 
were only giving one year visas three times and then they'd start giving 
three year visas if you were still married after that.  One BIG 
advantage to a spouse visa is that you now get a re-entry permit for the 
same number of years as your visa instead of having to renew annually.

If they give you a three year visa right away, it can remove the 
pressure of moving back ... although there is the problem of not having 
any Japanese tax receipts for your next visa renewal if you don't live 
here.

-- 
CL