Job Discussion Forums

[Xerius]

I have a friend here that's finishing up his current tenure in Japan, but he's a bit curious about what options he has regarding his visa. He apparently received a 3-year visa when he renewed last year, so he still has another 2 years validity at this point in time. He already got a multiple re-entry permit for the visa, so officially he's cleared to leave the country and come back again - even though he's not working. The confusing part, of course, comes with his residency card, with which he's technically supposed to report any change of residence within a couple weeks of moving. He's heading back to England next month, but was wondering whether his current visa would indeed stay valid should things not pan out back home (and he decided to come back).

Problem is, no one he knows seems to know the answer! So, I thought I'd do him a favor and see if anyone here knows the answer to this question. Would it still be theoretically possible for him to come back on his current visa in 6 months to a year's time, regardless of the fact that he's now no longer employed in Japan?

[PAULH]

The gaijin card or alien registration is not tied to your visa except that it becomes invalid when your visa does. As long as you have a valid work visa, a re-entry permit when you leave the country he should have no problems coming back to work on it, as its still valid. The only problem I see is that he will need a new spnsor for the visa when he goes to renew it. It is even possible to go on the unemployment benefit in Japan, have no job, quit work and be a househusband with no income and still have a gaijin card.

Japanese authorities are not really interested in address changes overseas- let them know as soon as he comes back into the country and gets an apartment or residence here and change the address over. its unlikely they will chase him down because he spent six months out of the country and could not see them in person. There are people who spent 6 out of 12 months going backwards and forwards in Japan. If they complain just bow profusely and promise you will never do it a gain

[Xerius]

Thanks for the quick response. I'll send the info on to him.