Job Discussion Forums

[fion]

Thanks again for constructive posts. Actually the visa renewal seems to be going quite smoothly, I will post an update after I get the final stamp in my passport. If I post before that I might risk leaving incorrect info on the site for other people, and frankly there is too much of that sloshing around already.

Glenski made a point about me asking a question when I already knew the answer, and he's not wrong there. I just wondered if anyone had more up to date information, my last time round was three years ago remember.

Will leave full details for other people *after* I get the stamp in my passport!

[fion]

OK as promised here is the update on visa renewal, as it is known in English. The Japanese call it 'application for extension of permission to remain' or some such, butⅠam going for the English version.

I needed:

1) application　form, completed, with details of ONE of my employers

2) certificate of employment from ONE employer, actually the same one whose details were on my application form

3) tax details, in my case the bottom copy of my 2005　　tax return, the bit that they stamp and give back to you

4) passport and gaijin card.

I am leaving this here in case this info is of use to other people, but with the usual caveat that what worked for me at shinegawa won't necessarily work for someone in　a different situation in a different part of Japan.

For example, I only needed details from one employer, but that's no reason you shouldn't take info from other employers if such is easily available. Someone suggested taking city tax receipts；　I have never been asked for those but it's not such a big deal to put the payment book in your bag just in case. I'm not sure, buit I am basically guessing that city tax info might be a useful fallback position if you don't have or can't find your national tax info.

Anyway, good luck to all applying for 'visa renewal' as we quaintly call it in English!

[SeasonedVet]

Fion,
I am glad to see that you took the trouble to post your findings after you had finished. That's good.

And as for people who write unhelpful or disparaging comments you have a choices:

You can reply to them and they to you and you to them and it might go on for pages of argument as I have seen on this site (some people like arguing and that's why they come here)

OR you can reply once with Your constructive criticism and they might reply constructively and it ends there

OR you can just NOT EVER REPLY to that person's comments on any topic unless you feel the need to or unless their comments are great and you really want to commend them at that time or such.

Anyway again it's good that you felt the need to give back correct info from your experience after asking for help.

[Like a Rolling Stone]

Hey, thanks for the info young lad or lady It reminds me that paying the tax is important. Your post is useful thankyou

[Like a Rolling Stone]

[Apsara]

As it was less helpful than PaulH's usual posts (he must have been having a bad day) it seems like it was deleted by the moderators.

[Like a Rolling Stone]

yes, but... where is PAULH?

[fion]

I wasn't imagining　 it: paulh did leave some negative comments on this thread, but as the comments seem to have disappeared I assume he has deleted that post. No worries, I have some respect for paulh, but I do sometimes feel that guys who spend too long on daves or gaijinpot run the risk of contracting sad old gaijin syndrome. Let's face it I am now at risk of the same after six years in Japan, but maybe guys with wives, kids, proper careers and a phd to finish could spend their time in more constructive ways than patronising　people on this site. I don't mean this as a criticism, just something that causes me concern about people I basically respect and wish well.

I don't know where paulh is but I hope he is ok