Job Discussion Forums

freesolo · Joined: 02 Nov 2004 Posts: 25

I have to go home quick and don't have time to get exit visa at immigration.

Is there a way to do it at the airport for a fee or something??

cheers.

callmesim · Joined: 27 Oct 2005 Posts: 279 Location: London, UK

Do you mean a reentry permit?

Appparently it is possible to get one at the airport but I've never known anyone who's done it.

They are usually issued in less than an hour if you can get to the Immirgration Office.

ironopolis · Joined: 01 Apr 2004 Posts: 379

Which airport?

In Fukuoka, I know that the local immigration office is actually at the airport.

I know it can happen that people who haven't previously arranged their re-entry permit get it sorted out at the port of departure, as I once witnessed this happening. This was at a ferry terminal when going to Korea - a woman in front of me didn't have a re-entry permit and it was apparent that she'd never realised she needed one. The immigration officer sent her over to one of the other counters, which was staffed but not open. I ended up behind her again in the immigration queue in Korea and asked if she'd got her re-entry permit and she said she they'd issued it as she was leaving Japan. I didn't find out if she'd had to pay any extra for it.

I must stress that I've no idea if this is what usually happens or if this person was just very lucky. Immigration authorities in any country and people's experiences with them are notoriously unpredictable, so whatever advice anyone gives on here, I'd strongly recommend trying to find out from Immigration themselves, even if it you're only able to call them, just to be as sure as you can be about it.

freesolo · Joined: 02 Nov 2004 Posts: 25

if I dont have a re-entry visa , can I still LEAVE the country?? and sort out the re-entry thing later.

I have an ARC.

cheers.

Apsara · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 2142 Location: Tokyo, Japan

If you leave the country without a re-entry permit, your visa will be cancelled by Immigration as you exit and you will be asked to surrender your gaijin card. If you then try to come back into Japan you will be given a 90-day tourist visa.

I have heard of people getting a re-entry permit at Narita as there is an Immigration office there, but apparently they express extreme displeasure at having to do so and generally make it as painful as possible. If you decide to go this way leave plenty of time for clearing Immigration as it is likely you will be held up for a while.

It's 3000 yen for a single re-entry permit and 6,000 yen for multiple re-entry by the way.

alexcase · Joined: 26 Jul 2007 Posts: 215 Location: Seoul

The last two times I flew the travel agent demanded a copy of my re-entry visa before the order for a ticket went through- another reason to get down your local immigration office sharpish.

If you've got time to write and read these posts, surely you can spend what is sometimes only 30 mins early in the morning getting one the usual way??

bornslippy1981 · Joined: 02 Aug 2004 Posts: 271

flyer · Joined: 16 May 2003 Posts: 539 Location: Sapporo Japan

yes it is possible

I did it once and yes I think it was Narita (??)
back then I didn't know I needed a "reentry visa", they weren't very happy about it (as Apsara says above) but it was easy (it was all over in 10-15 mins)

just do some paperwork and pay the money (3000yen for 1 entry?)

chollimaspeed · Joined: 11 Sep 2007 Posts: 120

I know of someone who got a re-entry permit as he was leaving Kansai. I think he was only offered the single-entry permit and not a multiple one for the same price as usual (3000 yen). He was given a severe dressing down for it and when it came to his next trip abroad he made sure he got himself a re-entry permit before going. flyer and Apsara's experiences seem to be the norm here.

alexcase · Joined: 26 Jul 2007 Posts: 215 Location: Seoul

HIS always seem to check, not sure if it is good service or panic at having a foreigner in the office though...

AgentMulderUK · Posted: Wed Sep 26, 2007 3:55 pm Post subject:

Isn't it great? You come　to work you arse off for (mostly) ungreatful employers and you have to actually pay to leave the country if you want to come back. And that is assuming you even knew beforehand you needed a re-entry visa...

Ho hum.

Firestarter2 · Joined: 27 Sep 2007 Posts: 14 Location: Osaka

My friend had to go home in an emergency last year (death in the family) and they issued her a re-entry permit at Kansai airport. There is an immigration office there, but it all comes down to the circumstances I suppose.

Apsara · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 2142 Location: Tokyo, Japan

I had to go home due to a death in the family 10 years ago. I got the phone call in the morning, arranged a flight for the evening, went to the Immigration office at midday and told them my situation so was put to the front of the line for re-entry permits, got home and packed in the afternoon, flew out of Narita in the evening and was back in NZ the next morning.

It is possible to get one in a very short time, if you need to.