Job Discussion Forums

[MindlessFudge]

In one of the FAQs here it says that depending on the immigration office, foreigners need not leave Japan to have their work visa issued to them. I'm curious if this is common place now or if one should count on having to leave the country to get a visa? Has anyone had any experience or can anyone offer some advice on this?

[Glenski]

I would not count on it, just as a safety measure. Someone told me that people in Tokyo do not have to leave, but I cannot confirm this. If it is true, then it is region specific as far as I know.

We're only talking about a few hundred US dollars here, but maybe that is too much for some people.

[6810]

A friend of mine recently had his tourist visa changed to a working visa (December, 2004).

He did not have to leave the country.

According to the officials at Nagoya Immigration, if you are in the process of changing your visa from a tourist (sightseeing) to a legal working visa within 30 days of entering Japan, you are not required to leave the country and return.

However, I would not count on this and I would definitely investigate it myself if I were the original poster before commiting to any complications.[/b]

[MindlessFudge]

Thank you very much for your posts. I am counting on having to leave the country, but hearing about the possibility of not having to leave got my attention. I'll wait and see how it plays out in my case.
Again, I appreciate your responses.