Job Discussion Forums

B0RGNINE · Joined: 28 Jun 2008 Posts: 48

I'm applying for jobs in Japan, and I've run into a snag...

One school's form asks when my visa expires. I had thought I had a one year visa because on the right hand side in the middle it reads No. of entries: MULTIPLE For stay(s) of: 1 YEAR, but on closer inspection, I noticed something strange. I have one of those big sticker visas that covers the whole page in my passport. In the top right corner, it reads: Date of issue 18 MAR 09 Date of expiry 18 MAR 14. So does this mean that I have a one year or a three year visa?

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

You have permission to stay one year, and it seems that you have until 2014 to activate it. Are you already in Japan? If so, that visa was actually cancelled when you arrived (you are then given a "status of residence"), and now you have permission to stay for one year.

B0RGNINE · Joined: 28 Jun 2008 Posts: 48

That's what I needed to know... though, I would have liked it more if you had told me I had a three year visa... would give me so much more wriggle room.

Thanks!

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

It does seem like it's just one year I'm afraid- the one year will be from the date of entry rather than from the date of issue of the visa.

Bread · Joined: 24 May 2009 Posts: 318

If I change from a tourist visa to an instructor visa while in Japan, then will it expire one year after issue or one year after my original entry date (which was on a tourist visa)?

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

14 - 09 = 5, not 3. It is VERY strange to see this as a 5-year visa does not exist.