Questions and Answers > EB-5 Investments

How can I as a Chinese EB-5 investor do the consular interview in Japan, where I live?

I was born in mainland China but obtained Japanese permanent residence and live in Japan now. I understand I still fall into China’s backlog and I know I can do nothing to change my birthplace. However for a year, EB-5 China stopped moving forward since Guangzhou U.S. embassy has not been reopened for EB visas. This situation is going to continue. However while I am living in Japan, I generally go to the embassy in Tokyo. I have no idea of why my case should be stopped and wait for Guangzhou. Anyway, is there anything I can do to say that I am able to be interviewed in Japan so if there are available visas that cannot be applied to Chinese for embassy closing problem, they can be used for people like me who are available at another embassy?

Answers

• Fredrick W Voigtmann

  Immigration Attorney

  Answered on April 30, 2021

  If your priority date is current and you reside in Japan, you should be able to apply for your immigrant visa at the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo. The National Visa Center ("NVC") assigns a case number and a consular office for your immigrant visa processing. If your NVC immigrant visa case number begins with a GUZ, your case has been assigned to the U.S. Consulate in Guangzhou. If your case number begins with TKY, then your case has been assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo. If you wish to change from GUZ to TKY, you should contact the NVC and provide them with proof of your permanent residence in Japan. Your case number might stay the same, but they should be able to transfer the case processing to where you reside.

• Lynne Feldman

  Immigration Attorney

  Answered on April 30, 2021

  Inquire with NVC if your case can be transferred to Japan. They will inquire with that consulate.

• Bernard P Wolfsdorf

  Immigration Attorney

  Answered on April 30, 2021

  If you or your attorney write to NVC and show that you are a resident of Japan, they can change the designation to Japan.

• Belma Demirovic Chinchoy

  Immigration Attorney

  Answered on April 29, 2021

  Yes, you can contact NVC and request that your case be transferred to Japan. Be prepared to provide evidence of lawful residence in Japan.

• Stephen Berman

  Immigration Attorney

  Answered on April 29, 2021

  If you live in China, they will schedule you in China. There is nothing you need to do at all.

• Ying Lu

  Immigration Attorney

  Answered on April 29, 2021

  Yes, you can request the interview to be scheduled in Japan as long as you can prove your residency in Japan.

• Dale Schwartz

  Immigration Attorney

  Answered on April 29, 2021

  Ask your lawyer to request that the National Visa Center transfer your case to the U.S. Embassy in Japan. You may need to contact the embassy and ask them if they will take the case. If you are a permanent resident of Japan, they should accommodate you.