Dear loyal readers of our blog,
We are very sorry to have kept you all eagerly waiting; we know it has been quite some time without any updates. If you have a facebook account, then you might have seen our recent statuses through Carol's updates. But just in case you haven't, let us summarise what had done.
2nd Sept: Carol came to Japan. Carol had successfully arrived with her spouse status visa for long term stay in Japan.
19th Sept: Carol went back to Hong Kong to take care of errands.
30th Sept: Carol and Jin met in Taiwan. Our Taiwan trip!!!!! Yey!!
7th Oct: Jin went back to Japan alone.
8th Oct: Carol went back to Hong Kong to take care of more errands.
11th Oct: Carol came back to Japan and our long term living had started.
We have bought lots of items to refurbish our home sweet home. Carol also bout lots of items to prepare for Japanese winter. At the same time much items were bought, lots of old items were thrown out. We still have just a bit more re-organization and cleanup, but overall, living is comfortable and smooth.
Coming back to the topic. JP Banquet.
Since some of you loyal readers want to attend, please open 29th of March. We are currently working hard to prepare for our big day.
The preparation is much smooth. We have an organizer booklet which contains all information about the wedding preparation, and our designated banquet planner gives us requests to prepare from time to time. We can just reactively prepare one by one (although for some preparation items, we have already become proactive, hehehe...).
So today is our first meeting. The agenda is about general items:
1. Decision of Wedding gift and snack.
2. Master list creation for invitation.
3. Top level discussion about MC (survey).
4. Top level discussion about overall wedding banquet style.
5. Top level discussion of speeches.
There is still lots of items we need to discuss and decide to prepare. Please look forward of our big day!!! (^-'v
06 December 2008
23 August 2008
Countdown! The time has come!!!
Time flies fast.
It was only several months ago where Carol and Jin both were saying "oh geesh, how long more do we have to stay apart?!" We had long waited for this moment. However, when the it is only ten more days, we really feel that the time really flew fast.
In this post, we would like to share with you, our friends, our upcoming travel plan, so that you can plan your reunion with Carol either in Hong Kong, Japan, or elsewhere (^-'b
2nd Sept: Carol comes to Japan
16th Sept: Carol goes back to Hong Kong (Tentative)
30th Sept: Carol and Jin meet in Taiwan
7th Oct: Jin goes back to Japan
7th Oct: Carol goes back to Hong Kong (Tentative)
11th Oct: Carol comes back to Japan (Tentative)
For Carol, I understand this is not a simple trip. It is more than a happy happy travel. There may be obstacles and worries in the future. However, as much as we had overcome the hurdles in the past, I am ready to be besides her at all times and be her most reliable and closest partner of life. We are looking forward for our happy happy married life!
After the above is over, we are planning to come back to Hong Kong for a CNY visit in late Jan 2009. Friends, hope to see you there!! If not, earlier ♪
It was only several months ago where Carol and Jin both were saying "oh geesh, how long more do we have to stay apart?!" We had long waited for this moment. However, when the it is only ten more days, we really feel that the time really flew fast.
In this post, we would like to share with you, our friends, our upcoming travel plan, so that you can plan your reunion with Carol either in Hong Kong, Japan, or elsewhere (^-'b
2nd Sept: Carol comes to Japan
16th Sept: Carol goes back to Hong Kong (Tentative)
30th Sept: Carol and Jin meet in Taiwan
7th Oct: Jin goes back to Japan
7th Oct: Carol goes back to Hong Kong (Tentative)
11th Oct: Carol comes back to Japan (Tentative)
For Carol, I understand this is not a simple trip. It is more than a happy happy travel. There may be obstacles and worries in the future. However, as much as we had overcome the hurdles in the past, I am ready to be besides her at all times and be her most reliable and closest partner of life. We are looking forward for our happy happy married life!
After the above is over, we are planning to come back to Hong Kong for a CNY visit in late Jan 2009. Friends, hope to see you there!! If not, earlier ♪
05 August 2008
Action! from Carol
Being the sponsor of my spouse visa, Jin had to take care of almost all application procedures. Finally, it's time for my action!
Having the Certificate of Eligibility obtained (Thanks to Jin’s huge efforts), it was then my turn to visit the General Consulate of Japan in Hong Kong, for issurance of the final legal paper - spouse visa label for my one-way trip to Japan.
As always, we were well-prepared for that important visit at the Consulate. We checked our friend who went through the same procedure, and decided to present in a couple for an “interview” by the officer. We were able take advantage of Jin’s business trip to HK by end of July for the visit – goodo!
Let me side track a little bit…it was only by that time I took a serious look at the Certificate of Eligibility and my cert shared the same category of Refugees!!! hahaha…it must be the collective efforts (Jin’s parents and us) that moved the officers…my application was approved in the least required time.
We made our visit on Jul 25. It was so smooth that we couldn’t even believe it. Everything was done in 10 mins (or even less!). A happy couple was told to get the passport back in 2 working days, with the following receipt presented.
On Jul 29, I successfully get my spouse visa. I am good to go now. Happy? For sure. Worries? For sure. Leaving my beloved parents and friends to start a new life. It’s gonna be some challenges, I will need a lot of courage. Haha…maybe I am really a refugee, I need Jin’s shelter!
Having the Certificate of Eligibility obtained (Thanks to Jin’s huge efforts), it was then my turn to visit the General Consulate of Japan in Hong Kong, for issurance of the final legal paper - spouse visa label for my one-way trip to Japan.
As always, we were well-prepared for that important visit at the Consulate. We checked our friend who went through the same procedure, and decided to present in a couple for an “interview” by the officer. We were able take advantage of Jin’s business trip to HK by end of July for the visit – goodo!
Let me side track a little bit…it was only by that time I took a serious look at the Certificate of Eligibility and my cert shared the same category of Refugees!!! hahaha…it must be the collective efforts (Jin’s parents and us) that moved the officers…my application was approved in the least required time.
We made our visit on Jul 25. It was so smooth that we couldn’t even believe it. Everything was done in 10 mins (or even less!). A happy couple was told to get the passport back in 2 working days, with the following receipt presented.
On Jul 29, I successfully get my spouse visa. I am good to go now. Happy? For sure. Worries? For sure. Leaving my beloved parents and friends to start a new life. It’s gonna be some challenges, I will need a lot of courage. Haha…maybe I am really a refugee, I need Jin’s shelter!
20 July 2008
The next step.
As written in the previous post, the most difficult step in preparing for Carol's immigration has past. Now, we can really get ready to move forward.
As for the next step, we foresee the following:
1. 25th July: Go to JP Consulate to apply for spouse visa.
2. In 5 days: Visa is ready and given.
3. Carol packs and prepares for her move.
4. Latest October: Carol moves to Japan.
5. Upon arrival, if Carol passes the passport control, she has entered Japan for good.
From this point on is just my note, but a review of what we need to do after Carol arrives Japan.
1. Within 90days after arrival: Go get alien resident card (外国人登録証明書): Gov't office (市区役所)
2. Before next departure: Go get re-entry permit (再入国許可書): Immigration Bureau (入国管理局): Expires one time single permit or 3yrs multiple permit.
3. Already done: Go to post office and apply for change of registrant: Post office
4. Whenever possible: Apply for social insurance and security (社保・年金): Through Jin's company
Other items to prepare:
- Before Arrival: Stamp (印鑑): Get in HK.
- After arrival: Mobile phone: Get in JP
- After arrival: Bank account: Get in JP.
- Credit Card - Jin's family card: Should be alright with Jin's.
- SUICA/EDY - Already has it: 無問題.
After the arrival, in order to sustain status, below needs to be considered:
・Renewal of Certificate of Eligibility: 在留資格認定証明書更新 （2009 March)
- current certificate has 1 year expiry.
- need at least three year, so need to renew once in order to apply for permanent alien.
・Permanent Alienship: 永住権
- after three years of marriage, and more than one year of residing in Japan
- this proves permanent eligibility to stay in Japan and thus does not need to be renewed.
・Re-entry Permit: 再入国許可
- expiry has two scheme: one time or three year multiple entry.
- the re-entry permit must be in line with the certificate of eligibility.
・Foreigner's Registration ID: 外国人登録証明書
- there isn't an expiry of the registration card, but there is an expiry date on the card (need to check).
- need to go to city hall government office (市区役所) for application.
・Naturalisation: 帰化申請（http://kekkon.homn.net/kika.html）
- over 20 years of age.
- has good status.
- has a way to live with his/her own work, or by his/her spouse or other family member.
- doesn't mind giving up his/her old nationality.
- has not performed terroristic operations to Japanese government.
- has married to a Japanese and lived more than three years in Japan.
- has married to a Japanese for over three years, and has lived in Japan for more than one year.
- has no problem living in Japan, both linguistically and understanding of culture.
That's it for now. It really the final countdown for Carol to move to Japan. やっとだね（＾＾ｂ
As for the next step, we foresee the following:
1. 25th July: Go to JP Consulate to apply for spouse visa.
2. In 5 days: Visa is ready and given.
3. Carol packs and prepares for her move.
4. Latest October: Carol moves to Japan.
5. Upon arrival, if Carol passes the passport control, she has entered Japan for good.
From this point on is just my note, but a review of what we need to do after Carol arrives Japan.
1. Within 90days after arrival: Go get alien resident card (外国人登録証明書): Gov't office (市区役所)
2. Before next departure: Go get re-entry permit (再入国許可書): Immigration Bureau (入国管理局): Expires one time single permit or 3yrs multiple permit.
3. Already done: Go to post office and apply for change of registrant: Post office
4. Whenever possible: Apply for social insurance and security (社保・年金): Through Jin's company
Other items to prepare:
- Before Arrival: Stamp (印鑑): Get in HK.
- After arrival: Mobile phone: Get in JP
- After arrival: Bank account: Get in JP.
- Credit Card - Jin's family card: Should be alright with Jin's.
- SUICA/EDY - Already has it: 無問題.
After the arrival, in order to sustain status, below needs to be considered:
・Renewal of Certificate of Eligibility: 在留資格認定証明書更新 （2009 March)
- current certificate has 1 year expiry.
- need at least three year, so need to renew once in order to apply for permanent alien.
・Permanent Alienship: 永住権
- after three years of marriage, and more than one year of residing in Japan
- this proves permanent eligibility to stay in Japan and thus does not need to be renewed.
・Re-entry Permit: 再入国許可
- expiry has two scheme: one time or three year multiple entry.
- the re-entry permit must be in line with the certificate of eligibility.
・Foreigner's Registration ID: 外国人登録証明書
- there isn't an expiry of the registration card, but there is an expiry date on the card (need to check).
- need to go to city hall government office (市区役所) for application.
・Naturalisation: 帰化申請（http://kekkon.homn.net/kika.html）
- over 20 years of age.
- has good status.
- has a way to live with his/her own work, or by his/her spouse or other family member.
- doesn't mind giving up his/her old nationality.
- has not performed terroristic operations to Japanese government.
- has married to a Japanese and lived more than three years in Japan.
- has married to a Japanese for over three years, and has lived in Japan for more than one year.
- has no problem living in Japan, both linguistically and understanding of culture.
That's it for now. It really the final countdown for Carol to move to Japan. やっとだね（＾＾ｂ
05 July 2008
Certificate of Eligibility arrived!!!!!
Today marks a significant event of our project!!!!!
As I had written on the previous post, we have been long waiting for this certificate to be issued. If we look back, this certificate was the certificate we had been working so hard to apply for it without any flaw, errors, or mistakes. The 100 page application had resulted in an expedited issuance of this certificate.
Now, Carol can apply for the spouse visa which will only take several days, and then she is good to stay in Japan as my spouse!!!!!
I will be visiting Hong Kong once again later this month, so I will be taking this certificate and together, go to the Japan Consulate in Hong Kong to apply for the visa.
Finally, it is again good to be a junior applicant.
Discussing with a senior friend (not the age, just that she had done the transition from HK → JP recently), we found out that there are several actions we need to take:
1. Apply for Re-entry permit (再入国許可) from Immigration Bureau.
2. Alien resident ID (外国人登録証明書) from Government office 横浜中区役所.
3. Apply for resident registration at post office, so that post sent to my address under her name can come without any errors.
4. Register for social insurance (社会保険 or 国民保険) to be done through Jin's company.
Still, a long long process goes. And even on top of this, our senior had explained that the Certificate of Eligibility is only valid for one time use. The re-entry permit is the one which is required when coming back to Japan after coming with spouse visa. Essentially, below is the status:
1. First time to Japan: Certificate of Eligibility & Spouse Visa
2. x times after coming to Japan: Re-entry permit & Spouse Visa
**Note: Spouse Visa is valid for 3 year. After then, Carol may have the choice of:
a. Renewing the Spouse Visa (in which case she needs me to renew the Certificate of Eligibiilty)
b. Applying for Permanent Alien 永住権 (in which case she needs me to apply for the 永住権)
c. Naturalise to a Japanese [In fact, she should be able to apply for that even now... still haven't checked the detail yet.....]
In any case, our union will be coming shortly!!!!! Yey!!!!! Another step towards the start day of our happy happy union!!!!!
02 July 2008
One month past...
1st of July marked the full 4 weeks since I had went to the Immigration Bureau. Indeed, the application takes much time. However, as time passes by, we are sure that the day the certificate will be issued is coming closer day by day.
During these worrying days, Carol had come to Japan for a visit. We feel more that we both are in dependence of each others' existence and closeness. We both feel extremely comfortable and safe when we are together. However, when we have any time where we cannot get a hold of each other, we feel soooo insecure.
We feel this is a very natural and healthy feeling. It is partially true since we are far away now. However, the real challenge comes in when Carol comes to Japan and we can ALWAYS be together. As long as we don't forget this feeling, we should be fine.
So, still another some time to go for the certificate to be issued, but we will just pray for it to be issued earlier!!!
During these worrying days, Carol had come to Japan for a visit. We feel more that we both are in dependence of each others' existence and closeness. We both feel extremely comfortable and safe when we are together. However, when we have any time where we cannot get a hold of each other, we feel soooo insecure.
We feel this is a very natural and healthy feeling. It is partially true since we are far away now. However, the real challenge comes in when Carol comes to Japan and we can ALWAYS be together. As long as we don't forget this feeling, we should be fine.
So, still another some time to go for the certificate to be issued, but we will just pray for it to be issued earlier!!!
08 June 2008
JP photo-shooting: 1st draft ready!
It's such a long process...- Apr 8: photo-shooting in Nara, Japan - around 400 photos taken
- Apr 28, 30: photo selection - we chose the best 100
- May 20: softcopy of all "raw" kimono photos received
- Jun 8: 1st draft ready - a layout putting 100 pictures into 35 pages
It's been sooo long that we almost forgot images other than those in Kimono...so happy to view the wedding dress & evening dress photos, as if they were new...very fresh and excited us!!!
So, it's homework time. We need to look into detail every page and feedback if we want any adjustment. Hopefully that can be done smoothly and our target date to collect final products in July can be held.
hehe, an enjoyable task...looking at the photos = replaying the day in Nara, all the fun fun and sweet moments we had, our hard work of how to make perfect photos & the always "look forward" sentiment...^0^
Hope xx and other "about to get married" friends will enjoy their photo shooting experience, too! Yeah yeah!
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