Oct. 14 - The other day when I visited our non-immigrant visa section, I was impressed by the sense of teamwork as a combination of American and Japanese Embassy employees worked together closely to process over 250 non-immigrant visa applicants that day. Visa Unit Chief Gary Wakahiro and Deputy Chief Lisa Washburn took me first to the interview windows. An American employee was calling applicants up to the window to take their finger scans. These scans are part of the security procedures used to keep travelers safe.

I observed two of our American officers, Stephanie Morimura and Andy Utschig, interviewing applicants. I was impressed with their Japanese language skills. They told me that Embassy Tokyo issues visas to over 98% of the Japanese applicants. The things they look for are indications that the applicant has no intention to immigrate to the United States, that there are sufficient funds to cover visit expenses, and that there are no other factors (such as a criminal record, or communicable disease) that would disqualify the applicant from travel to the United States.

Behind the windows, of course, the many Japanese employees are entering data, checking the supporting documents (such as evidence that an applicant for a student visa has been accepted into an accredited school), helping prepare the passports for the visa, and taking care of correspondence. They told me that almost all Japanese applicants receive their stamped passports within a week of their application at the embassy. Because the Japanese mail is so reliable, they simply mail the stamped passport back to the applicant so they do not need to appear a second time to pick up their passports.

This unit strives to provide good service to the applicants, and they recognize that the experience they provide to the applicants can present a positive image of the United States. Tokyo is one of the world's busiest visa-issuing posts. Without the collegiality, diligence, and teamwork of the non-Immigrant visa section, we would not be able to facilitate the travel of so many persons to the United States.

Until next time,

Jim