Job Discussion Forums

thomthom · Joined: 20 May 2011 Posts: 125

My visa is due to expire in a couple of weeks, at which point I intend to finish work but stay in Japan for another fortnight.

I'm under the impression that I can go to immigration and cancel my visa beforehand (reverting to a 90-day tourist) if I simply show them that I have a flight ticket out of here.

Has anybody ever done this? I'd like to do it as late as possible (eg. 2-3 days before expiry) so that I'm working legally right up to when I actually finish work.

rtm · Joined: 13 Apr 2007 Posts: 1003 Location: US

When I did it about 6 years ago, the immigration office changed me to a tourist visa immediately.

Obviously, things could have changed in that time, and it seems that each immigration office works somewhat differently, so your best bet would be to call (or have someone call for you) the immigration office directly and ask.

Pitarou · Joined: 16 Nov 2009 Posts: 1116 Location: Narita, Japan

Changing your visa status is a routine matter, these days. I can't imagine there being a problem with what you intend to do.

It wouldn't hurt to bring documentary evidence to back-up what you're telling them. A flight ticket home (as you say), a bank statement to show you have funds to support yourself, evidence that your contract is due to expire, evidence that you're cancelling your tenancy, and so on.

And, as rtm says, they have been known to give good telephone advice.

thomthom · Joined: 20 May 2011 Posts: 125

Thanks for your replies.
I'll head down there with my airplane ticket and hopefully that'll be enough. I'll post how it goes so people on the forum can know for future reference.

kah5217 · Joined: 29 Sep 2012 Posts: 270 Location: Ibaraki

Yes, please share when you find out. My visa expires the last day of work, which the company won't give me off. I am about 45 minutes from an immigration office so I could probably beat feet if I left after the closing ceremony.

lisa111082 · Posted: Sat Mar 08, 2014 5:49 pm Post subject:

I had to do this recently, when my visa expired, and got a special 30 day visa at first because I was still having "meetings" to try and find a job. Paid 4000 yen and got it instantly, no ticket required. During that 30 days I ended up becoming very ill and my doctor wrote a note saying I was forbidden to leave Japan. I had to prove to immigration that I would have the money to support myself without work (I showed them my bank balance and said I was getting money from home) and I was given a 90 day extension without a ticket, again, but that may be because immigration knows I will likely be trying for a medical stay visa here shortly.

Not to derail too much but has anyone gone from working -> tourist -> working again? Am I going to need to get another COE all over again or can I just file the change of status paperwork and submit the documents from my new company?

Pitarou · Joined: 16 Nov 2009 Posts: 1116 Location: Narita, Japan

thomthom · Joined: 20 May 2011 Posts: 125

I'm going down to do it tomorrow morning!

Related question: Do I also need to inform my ward bureau (Toshima-ku) that I'm leaving Japan? How about the health insurance section?

marley'sghost · Joined: 04 Oct 2010 Posts: 255

thomthom · Joined: 20 May 2011 Posts: 125

OK then: For future reference, yes it is still possible to change from a working visa to a 30-day tourist visa. They required: a change of residence form (no passport photo necessary) and a ¥4000 Yen revenue stamp. I showed them my flight out of Japan but perhaps that's not 100% necessary. After initially waiting an hour to be seen, it took them about 15mins.

Thanks all

kah5217 · Joined: 29 Sep 2012 Posts: 270 Location: Ibaraki

I'll have to do the "I'll come back for it later" game since I can't get my last contract day off. Bought the revenue stamp, and got the photo anyway since there was a space on the form (I'd rather get it here in inaka land where it's cheap, compated to the booths in Mito).