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sprite

I came to Japan on a working visa sponsored by one of the big Eikaiwas. I worked for them for more than a year and a half, gave my notice, and left on good terms.

I actually left Japan for a few months but have come back and am doing my own thing- part time jobs, etc. My old company is not really pleased that I've come back, they're aren't that many students in this area and they don't want more competition (understandable). But one of the workers there has said that it's illegal for me to be working on this visa. I'm pretty sure she's wrong, and I know everyone does it. But how do I find out for sure? Any recommended reading?

Thanks!

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Assuming that when you left Japan and returned, if you had a reentry permit, then your visa is still valid until it expires.

That entitles you to stay here and do practically whatever you like, including working on your own, until the visa runs out. Of course, you can get hired by another employer, if you like, too.

sprite · Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2005 3:12 am Post subject:

Yep, had a re-entry permit.

Thanks.

PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan

Stosskraft · Joined: 12 Apr 2004 Posts: 252 Location: Japan

What happens if you leave Japan without a re-entry permit? Can you apply for one at the local embassy or do you need to restart the whole process if you return to the country?

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

sprite · Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2005 12:11 pm Post subject:

PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan

Grasshopper · Joined: 01 Nov 2005 Posts: 62 Location: Japan

I just had a similar situation actually, where I left my employer and began at a new job. My work was in a different part of the country, and when I tried to get a re-entry permit, immigration gave me a hard time. They actually made me change the visa sponsorship over.

Technically, when you leave a company you are supposed to report it to immigration, as well as find a new sponsor.

Also, immigration told me that if you aren`t employed within 3 months of quitting your job or being fired, then your work visa expires. I`m not sure how much water this holds since I found a new job before then...but just something to pay attention to.

TL · Joined: 07 Nov 2004 Posts: 76 Location: Seoul

I have a question. If someone leaves, without his/her alien card, would that person have trouble returning to Japan?

PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan

pnksweater · Joined: 24 Mar 2005 Posts: 173 Location: Tokyo, Japan

Paul- you are required by law to carry your foreign registration card OR you passport at all times. So when your new card is being processed, you're supposed to haul your passport everywhere. This is the law, but don't expect the police to know it.

If you don't have a re-entry stamp you will have to give up your card at immigration at the Japanese airport. In that case, returning sans card is expected.

You are required to update you card anytime anything changes- job, visa status, address... it says so on that little slip of paper you get each time you get a new card.

OP, how long were you gone? Without an employer your visa is indeed time sensitive. How immigration handles it though is up to them. Sometimes they forget about this rule. Sometimes they don't notice how long you've been unemployed. When you do find your new job make sure to change your employer with your ward and immigration.

PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan

sprite · Posted: Fri Nov 25, 2005 5:40 pm Post subject:

Grasshopper · Joined: 01 Nov 2005 Posts: 62 Location: Japan

Good Question. And it probably depends on which immigration you're dealing with and which clerk you get quite frankly.

I have heard a number of different things about sponsorship, etc. In order to get a proper work visa if you're not married to a Japanese, or to someone who has one, you have to have a sponsor. And if you leave that employer, you're supposed to report it to immigration. I think if you don't change areas, & your previous employer doesn't throw a fit, it's probably not a big deal. But if you change areas, it's a red light for immigration if you have to do something like get a re-entry permit. And they may say you need a new sponsor, which could be a new employer. Or I also found out that it is possible to self-sponsor, and please don't ask me about it, because I don't know. I just heard that if you were able to prove you were making a certain amount, & no doubt curry favor with whatever immigration department you are working through, then you could self-sponsor.

I'm sorry this doesn't help much in terms of an answer...my guess is that the answer varies anyway.

G.