Job Discussion Forums

[Lady0424]

Hey all,

I have a complicated situation. So I've been in Japan for 2 years and last year I finished my 1 contract and decided not to renew and move onto another employer. My visa renewal is coming up so I politely e-mailed my previous employer asking for a letter of release and tax documents and the response I got was that they refuse to release all documents until I pay all the "damages" to the apartment (the school rents out all the apartments so everything is under their name) that I never recalled causing as well as unpaid bills. I understand the unpaid bills but I left my apartment in the condition that I received it in. The "damages" that they spoke about were caused by the previous teacher, whom they never charged so they put it on me. They requested all the teachers to leave 50,000 yen if they don't want to continue another contract to pay for any bills, damages, etc. and they'd send back the "leftover" money, which was not written in the contract and was an absolute ridiculous request.

They also threatened that they took the measures of making sure I pay up by letting the immigration office in their area know that they refuse to release the documents unless I pay.

My question is
1) Is it even possible to let the immigration office know about this kind of stuff (because it sounds more like a personal issue than anything else and I really don't think immigration cares about personal issues like this), or are they bluffing
2) Is it possible to get a visa renewal without having the tax/release documents from the previous employer.

Worse comes the worse, can I leave the country and come back?

Ok helpful replies please!

Lady

[southofreality]

I just renewed my visa and saw a change in required procedure this year; I had to get a tax certificate (Kazei Shoumeisho) from my local ward office and submit it with the renewal application. It costs ￥300. The tax withholding slip you used to get from your employer(s) is no longer acceptable and doesn't need to be turned in with the visa renewal application. This works in your favor.

I would think that if your new employer is sponsoring your visa, and your old one refuses to comply, you can inform immigration of this. They'll likely contact that employer or just consider your present sponsorship sufficient.

In any case, you should always directly consult immigration.

However, you likely don't have much to worry about. Good luck.

[Lady0424]

Thank you! This helps. I'd rather pay the immigration office than my previous employer because I feel like they're just trying to cause trouble for me.

[southofreality]

The ￥300 goes to your ward or city office when you get the tax certificate from there.

[Glenski]

See the answers I gave you on the other forum where you posted this same question.

Labor laws are in your favor. The employer is bluffing.

Apartment laws are also in your favor.

[Hoser]

Usually I'm not a stickler about other people's spelling but having a hyphen in the middle of "renewal" just seems strange!

[Inflames]

[southofreality]

[englishtutor1378]

southofreality wrote:

[Sour Grape]

What else has to be taken with you to get a visa renewed? I assume a copy of your contract.

Thanks in advance.

[Apsara]

Are you changing employers or renewing with the same employer?

[Sour Grape]

Staying with the same company.

[Glenski]

Officially, it's called an extension of your period of stay.

Go here and see the DOCUMENTS link for the info.
http://www.immi-moj.go.jp/english/tetuduki/index.html

[Sour Grape]