Job Discussion Forums

[JimDunlop2]

Recently, I filled out the necessary forms to obtain a renewal of my working visa. They stamped my passport with the standard "you're in limbo" stamp and today I received my postcard in the mail to go to the local immigration office between the indicated dates...

My question is this: Must I present myself at the same office that I've been dealing with, or can I go to any local immigration centre, say in another city? The reason why I ask, is because I'm taking Japanese language classes in another city/prefecture over the summer, and it would be somewhat of a pain in the rear to have to go all the way back right in the middle of my course just to go to the immigration office. And I don't suppose I can go the immigration office after my visa expires on Aug. 19th, even though the postcard says: Aug 1 to Aug 30....

Next question: my wife is on a dependant's visa (that expires the same day as mine -- mid-August)... Can I initiate application procedures now? Or must I wait till I actually have my visa renewed and not be in limbo?

I've been looking all over the mofa website, but I guess this is a little too in-depth to get an answer for.... Does anyone have any experience with this? Or perhaps a link to some relevant info?

Thanks!

[Glenski]

I would think you have to go back to the original immigration office where you started the current paperwork. The postcard may say something to that effect.

A pain? "JUST TO GO TO THE IMMIGRATION OFFICE"????

Jim, where are your priorities?

As for your wife, how did you plan to start proceedings for her dependent visa renewal? You're probably going to have to go the same office. Go when you pick up your own visa renewal.

Oh, and don't go after your visa expires unless you want to spend an hour or two apologizing in a detention room.

[lajzar]

I just had mine renewed. I started the process before my old visa expired, but they didn't have it ready to collect until an entire month after the old visa expired.

As long as you started the ball rolling in time, I don't think they have any moral right to complain if you go before the final date listed, but personally, I'd prefer to have that stamp asap for peace of mind.

[JimDunlop2]

Glenski: Yes, it's most definitely "a pain" if I'm on course (over 5 hours away from home) and I have to miss an entire day of classes just to show my face for 15 min. at the immigration centre....

But anyway, in case anyone wonders, I got my answer today. They told me I MUST go to the same office where I originally applied.... However, Immigration also told me it had NO qualms about me coming in today (July 14th) even though I'm supposed to come in between Aug 13 to Aug 30... It's just that they stamp 1 year effective TODAY'S date in my passport, as opposed to my expiry date... SO, they just thought I was a bit cracked in the head when I told them that I was OK with that -- they wanted me to get the most "bang for my buck" so to speak, and have 1 year (give or take a day) -- whereas in this case I'm losing almost an entire month.

But for me, it makes not a lick of difference, as I will be doing the exact same hoop-jump next year, just a month earlier... Seeing that they didn't give me the 3 yr one.... But it's not like we're leaving Japan anytime soon or anything..... At least if I have anything to say about it.

As for my wife, because she already HAS a dependant visa, she merely has to fill in the standard form, and the immigration office graciously photocopied and stamped my income tax slip and proof-of-employment to be re-used on her application, as opposed to requiring a fresh copy of each from my employer...

We all learn as we go, huh? I'm very happy to get that out of the way now!

JD

[Gordon]

Jim, did you ask for a 3 year visa? If so, what answer did they give for not giving it to you. Is there any criteria for giving you 3 yrs or just 1?

[Glenski]

You can ask till you're blue in the face, but your request will fall on deaf ears. Immigration has its own black box system for determining whether people get visas for one year or three.

Jim,
Complain all you want, but the simple fact is that without the visa, you won't be able to stay here. Remember that you are dealing with a government agency, the same type that handles drivers licenses... get the picture? At least you weren't fingerprinted.

[JimDunlop2]

Yes, Gordon, I applied for a 3 yr visa. I didn't even bother asking why or why not I didn't get 3. Glenski is correct -- they may have a telepathic chimpanzee somewhere in Tokyo, and they show him every visa application that comes through.... Depending on which part of his anatomy he subsequently scratches, they issue the appropriate visa. No, seriously, I have no clue... I've heard of people applying for 1 and get 3, vice-versa, etc, etc, etc. The only thing I know is that getting a 3yr on your first go-around is nearly impossible.

Except here's the thing. Next year I will be forced to apply in June (so I get my visa by July 14) and if my contract runs to the end of the following summer (July 2006) it would be only logical to give me a 3 yr visa, otherwise I'm visiting them twice during one school term.... But, no one ever said they behave in a logical manner. Personally, I think they need to buy a new chimpanzee....

As an aside, Glenski, you don't have to tell me twice that dealing with government organisms is all the same.... Yes, I'm glad they don't have me fingerprinted, and it's not like I have the option of not wading through the bureaucracy if I want to stay in Japan, but somehow that's little comfort in making the whole experience less "mendoukusai" as we say... ? It's no different anywhere -- Canada, U.S., U.K., whatever.... I've dealt with them all, and I'm firmly convinced that customs officials are paid to be mean.

[shmooj]

I don 't understand the OP. Whenever I did this, and I did it four times, they took my passport off me in the interim. How could I then expect it to be at another immigration office.

or do they deliver now

[azarashi sushi]

My passport wasn't taken from me when I renewed my visa. I presented it when I returned to the office and they simply stuck in the new visa.

[shmooj]

Hmmmm different strokes then. I was always relieved of it for a week or so to be given it back with the stamp in it.

I guess the OP must have their passport then???

[J.]

As far as I know, when you get the stamp in your passport showing that you have applied, it acts like a temporary extension to give them enough time to process your papers and for you to get any you need to submit. As long as you have everything submitted within the date, and then pick up your passport by the date they say on the postcard, I think you're covered. I applied this year and now you don't have to leave your passport. I had also applied under the old system that smooj mentioned and they did take your passport for about a week. I think they sent the passports away to a regional office or something (or maybe they are now computerized) but now you keep your passport and then they put a stamp in it while you wait. It's pretty fast depending on the number of people waiting but never taken me longer than 30 minutes or so.

I don't know what rationale there is for the 1-year or 3-year decision, but it sure would be nice to know what it is. I'm sure there must be some rules about this; after all we are talking about a BUREAUCRACY. Anyone ever known one that doesn't do everything by the book? In fact it would be really nice if the whole process were more transparent, but guess I'm just a dreamer.