Job Discussion Forums

easyasabc · Joined: 13 Jul 2003 Posts: 179 Location: Japan

Since there was a bit of talk recently about whether the three year visa sttill exists ........ here's something interesting I heard today.

I went to my immigration office (Tokuyama) to renew my visa. I'm pretty much planning on leaving at the end of this year so I really only wanted a one year visa anyway but after looking at my paperwork and dragging out my file the guy there said to me (in Japanese):
"You come every year and only renew for one year. We can do a three-year visa for you. It would be much easier for you. Would you like that?"

So at least in some cases the three-year visa does exist.

OH! And this is not at all related to visas but check it out if you have sound on your computer and are in need of a smile:
http://svt.se/hogafflahage/hogafflaHage_site/Kor/hestekor.swf
Wait for the entire screen to load with the four horses and a fence .
Then click on each horse, (make sure that the sound is on).
Re-click on any horse to turn the sound off.

carmenz · Joined: 24 Jan 2004 Posts: 20

Three year visas are great. I've got one and actually left the country for a year and was allowed to come back and resume my visa. But I kept my gaijin card before leaving. I had intentions of coming back and getting a new job.

But you know they don't give out three year visas to everyone. According to a few employers I have talked to they tend to be hard to get. Or I suppose you could just get lucky..

ullery1079 · Joined: 11 Aug 2004 Posts: 3

I am wanting to move to Yamaguchi-ken. It seems that you live in the Shunan area. could you possible tell me some of the schools that are in the area. I am having a hard time trying to find schools. I hope that you can help me find some of these schools.

Hope you can help,

Josh

bshabu · Joined: 03 Apr 2003 Posts: 200 Location: Kumagaya

I am on my 6th one year Visa and getting tired of going back every year. I applied for one last year only to get a one year visa.

homersimpson · Joined: 14 Feb 2003 Posts: 569 Location: Kagoshima

Although visas tend to be handed out randomly, there are some factors that can influence the decision. First, when your employer sends out the request (or gives it to you for a renewal), they are supposed to "request" either a 1-year or 3-year. Doesn't mean you'll get the 3-year, but that employer is supposed to request it if it wants it. Regarding renewals, immigration is "supposed" to check to make sure you are in good standing (i.e. you paid your taxes) before renewing a visa.

lajzar · Joined: 09 Feb 2003 Posts: 647 Location: Saitama-ken, Japan

I've never been offerred a one year visa. Do they really exist?

ronin · Joined: 22 Feb 2003 Posts: 50 Location: canada

StephenM · Joined: 03 Sep 2004 Posts: 2 Location: Japan

This cracks me up. Towards the end of my 1st year here my school asked me to renew for 13 months - yippee. I didn't want to stay more than 2 years total in this little town, but I thought this would force a 3-year visa (there are no '1 year and a bit' visas right?).

That would put me in a PERFECT position to take a month's holiday around the place, then start a new job in a more interesting location. So we fill in the form requesting 3 years. The guy did the visa for 1 year Sad

So we have this conversation:

Me: ummm we asked for a THREE YEAR visa.
Immigration guy: Your contract is for one year, so one year visa.
Me: (forcing the smile and trying to keep calm and friendly) umm no, it's not for one year, the contract is for 13 months.
IG: No, see here in your contract - August to August, ONE YEAR (points to dates).
Me: True, but it's 1st of August THIS YEAR to the end of August NEXT YEAR.
IG: (blank look) No, August to August is ONE year, so one year visa.
Me: No, look (counting on fingers, one, two three up to thirteen) THIRTEEN MONTHS.
IG: Ahhh, ummm, (much sucking of teeth, ettooooooo etc) Ok please apply for a new visa next July.
Me: (inside ARRRGHGHHHGHGHHGG!!!!!!) Right - two more trips down to Shizuoka-shi, and all that paperwork and fees for one extra month, sure.

So a few hours later I'm back in inaka showing this to the secretary who phones him and the bottom line is, too late the visa is issued now (no apology for f***ing up of course). So we had to shorten the contract by a month. I really want some time off after 2 years here but unless I change to a tourist visa, then go through the whole COE thing again, probably leave Jpn and come back too I can't see it working. I need a new school and contract - which means probably no holiday. Anyone else been in this situation and have a suggestion? Regards StephenM.