Job Discussion Forums

[NorthofAmerica]

I searched, swear to god, but I couldn't find the answer to this particular question.

I came here on a 6 month working holiday visa and in February I applied to switch it over to a full work visa. I am living in Shiga so I went to Otsu to do that. What I forgot to do was get a reentry permit then and there.

I just booked a ticket for Seoul yesterday (leaving April 19th) and now I need to go get my reentry permit. HOWEVER, I am STILL waiting for my visa to come through. Is this going to be a problem? Can I just walk in there and get a reentry permit? Any ideas how long it might take because I teach every weekday beginning in the afternoon.

My working holiday visa expired February 21st though I applied for the switch/extension about 2 weeks before that. I know that a (multiple) reentry permit is good for as long as your visa but I am still waiting on any information back about my application. HELP!

[Apsara]

You cannot leave Japan while you are applying to change your status of residence- since your visa has expired it is the application stamp in your passport which allows you to stay in Japan and if you leave, even on a short trip, they will cancel it and if you came back it would be on a tourist permit.

There is no point in you applying for a re-entry permit before you get your visa (in fact, they most likely wouldn't let you) because you can't leave the country.

My guess is that you will have your visa by April 19- if you don't have it by the end of March contact the Immigration office to see if they can tell you something about its progress- occasionally the postcard they send out to tell you that you can come and get your visa stamp gets lost.

Don't leave Japan until you have that visa stamp in your passport, even if you have to delay or cancel your trip.

[NorthofAmerica]

AAAARRRRGGHHHHH!!!!!!

well thanks for the help....