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[cornishmuppet]

I'm asking this for a friend.

I have an Aussie mate whose on a working holiday visa because he didn't go to uni and therefore has to go home next summer. He's met a girl and fallen in love and all that, and is convinced he can't leave her. I'm not too sure if she'll go back with him, because apparently she's lived in Oz and wants to live somewhere else.

He was talking about staying illegally which I'm hoping he's not serious about, but he also mentioned such things as student visas and culture visas.

I was just wondering if such things exist.

Thank you very much.

[Glenski]

If he has until next summer, he has plenty of time to sort things out with a visa.

Spouse visas are for people married to Japanese. Pretty easy to get. Check with his embassy on how to go about it, especially if he plans to do this in Japan.

Student visas are for people enrolled in Japanese schools. They only permit part-time work.

Cultural visas are for people who study some traditional craft (ikebana, martial arts, pottery, etc.) under the tutelage of a master who sponsors them. PT work is permitted.

Other than that, he has no options. Warn him NOT to overstay his current visa. The government is seriously clamping down on overstayers with severe penalties. 3 million yen fine. 21 days imprisonment without a lawyer before a court proceeding. Deportation on HIS expense. Being blacklisted from returning to Japan for 5 to 10 YEARS.

[cornishmuppet]

Thanks Glenski, that's some interesting stuff. I'm hoping he's only joking about the illegal bit, but he's a pretty serious guy. I had another friend almost kicked out earlier this year when she forgot to renew hers. It was touch and go for a couple of weeks.