Job Discussion Forums

[seklarwia]

So I went to immigration on the 17th Feb to hand in my application for a visa extension and new re-entry permit.
Last year, the official I dealt with wanted to see and copy the additional paper work that went along with the application forms (employment contract, company registraion paper, the sheet with my pay up until that point that shows income tax contributions, etc).

But this time the official just told me that the only things he wanted were the application forms, my passport and a quick glance at my ARC. He basically gave me everything else back saying that the other papers including the contract and proof of tax payment (income and residence tax) from my local ward office were not necessary. At one point he asked to see my year income slip again (the one that displays income tax) which he took over to another official briefly before returning that too saying that it wasn't necessary - last year's official also wanted to copy that.
When I asked him if he at least wanted the contract, he just laughed and told me that the process was more simple now.

I was slightly miffed, since I had rushed over to the yakusho and paid a whole 600yen for those proof of payment certs (that broke the bank )

He then asked me to write my name and address on the notification postcard, put an immigration stamp in my passport and sent me on my way telling me to bring the revenue stamps when I returned.

I have heard that immigration officers can be a law unto themselves, but my experience this time was so different to last year that I was expecting to be called back to supply further paperwork.

But I returned today and was pleasantly surprised. Perhaps them not having my dispatch contract to look at worked in my favour because not only had they finished processing my paperwork despite have little more than the application forms, they have even granted me a 3 years extension when I was only granted a 1 year extention last year.

So have they changed the paperwork requirements or was the official dealing with me just in a really good mood?

[wayne432]

I think it sounds more like the official that you had the last time didn't know the current procedure. As you may have read on the forums here, some offices follow outdated procedures (or may even make some of it up as they go).

[seklarwia]

[Glenski]

For extensions, isn't it just a matter of confirming that you are still working with the prior employer, and unless there is a contract change, they will not need to see a contract?

Congratulations just the same.

[Apsara]

Unless there's a new list of required documents out, I think you're probably just seeing there how arbitrary the whole process can be and how much it depends on the official you deal with and their mood that day.

Quite a lot of people I know have been bumped back to a one-year visa when they changed from a working visa to a spouse visa, even though they had had 3-year working visas before. I got a 3-year spouse visa straight off the bat- it seems quite random as to how long you get for your first one.

Probably the guy you dealt with got enough sleep the night before and possibly just liked the look of you, but of course it's worth having all the paperwork just in case, since you never know who you're going up against

[seklarwia]

Thanks.

I'm still quite amazed. I had heard and read lots about just how much rides on the official in question, but I wasn't quite prepared for that. He really was quite a jolly fellow despite them having been extremely busy that day.

I'm glad it worked out without any complications.

I agree about having the paperwork though. Even had I known that some of the paperwork might not be necessary, I would never head up there minus bits just in case... Nagano immigration is hardly on my doorstep afterall