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Anyone come back after a break using the same Visa?

 
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AgentMulderUK



Joined: 22 Sep 2003
Posts: 360
Location: Concrete jungle (Tokyo)

PostPosted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 12:24 pm    Post subject: Anyone come back after a break using the same Visa? Reply with quote

Dear all,

I have something of a dilemma. And advice appreciated.

I left Japan just before xmas, now it seems the best thing for me is to return to work there , even thought I am not overjoyed about it ,its better than the alternative right now.

I still have my working visa from the job I left. I have a re-entry permit too, visa valid until Novemeber 08

Now, what will the people say as I arrive at immigration..I have been out the country for nearly 3 months.

What did you say to them ?

Should I say I was working back home...or basically lie and think of a reason.

Under quite a bit of stress at the moment, in my life.

Hence, I would be real greatful to you.

Regards
Mulder
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dove



Joined: 01 Oct 2003
Posts: 271
Location: USA/Japan

PostPosted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 3:16 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I would also be interested in hearing about anyone's experience re-entering Japan after a long break on the same visa. I think this has come up before on this forum, and if I remember correctly, one person had no problem, but one person heard of someone having their work visa canceled by immigration at the airport (that person was "down-graded" to a tourist visa).
Does anyone know if there is an actual rule or law that immigration officers follow, or is it case-by-case?

I left Japan to work in Brazil, and although I want to stay here, who knows, I might have to return to Japan. If I do try to return to Japan, I was thinking of telling the immigration officer I was on a leave of absence from my company due to a family issue back home....and I might book my ticket to arrive in Japan on a Sunday so the immigration officer wouldn't be able to call the former company to confirm.....just an idea.
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Glenski



Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

PostPosted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 3:24 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

What's to say? You went home for personal business. It was only 3 months, and your visa and reentry permit are in order. That's what they are there for...re-entry!

Welcome back!

Quote:
one person heard of someone having their work visa canceled by immigration at the airport (that person was "down-graded" to a tourist visa).
No offense, but this is pretty much second- or third-hand information, and absolutely no details at all are presented here. Could have been for any number of reasons, but I suspect the person didn't have a valid reentry permit.
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AgentMulderUK



Joined: 22 Sep 2003
Posts: 360
Location: Concrete jungle (Tokyo)

PostPosted: Fri Mar 14, 2008 2:33 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thank you sincerely for taking the time to post.

Life is a jolly crisis isn't it Wink
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Apsara



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

PostPosted: Fri Mar 14, 2008 8:25 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Back in 2001 I left Japan 6 months into a 3 years visa. 7 months later I came back, and Immigration didn't blink an eyelid, just let me in on the same visa the same as they do if I've only been away 2 weeks. I don't know whether any rules have changed since then, but 3 months isn't all that long- if you were asked you could even say you had been travelling, I don't see why that wouldn't be an acceptable answer.
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parrothead



Joined: 02 Nov 2003
Posts: 342
Location: Japan

PostPosted: Fri Mar 14, 2008 9:13 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Just curious. Do you need your old Foreign Registration Card in these situations? I imagine you need to turn in your card to your city office when you depart Japan, and so would not have it upon your return months later.
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AgentMulderUK



Joined: 22 Sep 2003
Posts: 360
Location: Concrete jungle (Tokyo)

PostPosted: Fri Mar 14, 2008 11:51 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Good point parrothead. I still have a foreigners card. I suppose they don't take it off people that have a re-entry visa.

It says renew within 30 days starting from 28th Apr 2008,so presumably that would be a cut-off point right there.
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Apsara



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

PostPosted: Fri Mar 14, 2008 1:25 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

You only have to surrender your alien registration card if your visa is close to its expiry date or you have no re-entry permit. I left on a valid re-entry permit with a visa 2 and a half years from its expiry date, so took my card with me and brought it back with me on return.

My card was a long way from expiring- I don't know what happens if it expires while you are away, but I'm guessing there is some leniency on the part of Immigration here- after all, how can you renew your card if you aren't in Japan?
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AgentMulderUK



Joined: 22 Sep 2003
Posts: 360
Location: Concrete jungle (Tokyo)

PostPosted: Sun Mar 16, 2008 10:17 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

One thing still bugs me . Well, a lot of things bug me, but one thing regarding the topic..


I phoned the Japanese embassy in London. They said the employer is now encoded into the "new" style work visa (in the block bar - code thing).

What if this ex-employer of mine somehow got the hump and sought to wreak destruction. I think probably not,but since his company is apparently on it...

Do I believe the guy at the Embassy? No actually. Does anyone else?
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bish



Joined: 26 Feb 2008
Posts: 30

PostPosted: Wed Mar 26, 2008 12:24 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

AgentMulderUK wrote:
One thing still bugs me . Well, a lot of things bug me, but one thing regarding the topic..


I phoned the Japanese embassy in London. They said the employer is now encoded into the "new" style work visa (in the block bar - code thing).

What if this ex-employer of mine somehow got the hump and sought to wreak destruction. I think probably not,but since his company is apparently on it...

Do I believe the guy at the Embassy? No actually. Does anyone else?



Yeah I'd like to know this too...
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AgentMulderUK



Joined: 22 Sep 2003
Posts: 360
Location: Concrete jungle (Tokyo)

PostPosted: Tue Jun 24, 2008 12:24 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Just as an update for information for those in similar predicaments..

Having been out of Japan almost 6months in total, coming back with a re-entry permit raised no eyebrows whatsoever.
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Apsara



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

PostPosted: Tue Jun 24, 2008 1:24 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Glad to hear.

Same for me, and a friend of mine as well.
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