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abufletcher
Joined: 14 Sep 2005
Posts: 779
Location: Shikoku Japan (for now)
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 Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2006 10:06 am Post subject: Advantages or Disadvantages of Permanent Resident Status? |
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In May I will have been in Japan for 10 years and have heard that I will then be eligible to apply for Permanent Resident Status?
On the surface that sounds like a cool thing. But is there some hidden downside?
Other than saving me a trip every three years to the immigration office for a new resident visa what are the advantage? |
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PAULH
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Posts: 4672
Location: Western Japan
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| Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2006 10:35 am Post subject: Re: Advantages or Disadvantages of Permanent Resident Status |
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| abufletcher wrote: |
In May I will have been in Japan for 10 years and have heard that I will then be eligible to apply for Permanent Resident Status?
On the surface that sounds like a cool thing. But is there some hidden downside?
Other than saving me a trip every three years to the immigration office for a new resident visa what are the advantage? |
Abufletcher
I have had PR since 1998 and havent come across any obvious disadvantages or inconveniences.
If you get a re-entry permit when you leave the country (PR holders still need re-entry and can lose it without getting the stamp) re-entry is valid for up to 3 years so you need to come back to japan within that time to renew it.
advantages:
If you have a Japanese spouse you can stay in the country in the event of a divorce and no need to look for a new sponsor or a visa to enable you to stay here.
No need to have wife sponsor your visa, especially if you are in a shaky marriage. Some wives hold your visa status hostage and refuse to renew sponsorship of spouse visas.
Housing loan applications become easier.
No need for a visa sponsor.
In some prefectures in Japan you can vote in local-body elections which have granted suffrage to foreign residents with PR. |
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madeira
Joined: 13 Jun 2004
Posts: 182
Location: Oppama
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| Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2006 11:54 am Post subject: |
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Just in case you/someone knows...
How long can you leave Japan while on a PR? Any special paperwork?
I had PR status in Canada, and I had to buy a returning resident permit every year while out of the country. |
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shuize
Joined: 04 Sep 2004
Posts: 1270
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| Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2006 3:08 pm Post subject: |
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| There could be a few special tax situations in which you might be better off not being considered a permanent resident, but I think they fall in the early range in which you probably don't have much chance getting PR in the first place. |
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abufletcher
Joined: 14 Sep 2005
Posts: 779
Location: Shikoku Japan (for now)
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| Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2006 1:11 am Post subject: |
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My situation: I don't have a Japanese wife or need a sponsor since I've got a long-term university job. And not having a Japanese wife I don't have any long term interests in things like home ownership in Japan, etc.
My wife and kids used to be here with me on dependent visas but for the past 2 years they're all been in the US so they can be attending an English-medium school. My daughter has talked about maybe trying to come back as a JET and my son might end up doing an internship with a Japanese company as part of his major in international business. Those are about the only long-term plans involving Japan.
So would the PR help us out in any way? For example, could I apply for PR status for my kids once I have PR status? Also, how much hassle and expense is involved in getting the PR?
Mostly, it just seems like having a PR status would just be a novelty. My Mexican wife has kidded me about needing to get my "Green Card." |
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Doglover
Joined: 14 Dec 2004
Posts: 305
Location: Kansai
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| Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2006 3:47 am Post subject: |
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| abufletcher wrote: |
So would the PR help us out in any way? For example, could I apply for PR status for my kids once I have PR status? Also, how much hassle and expense is involved in getting the PR?
Mostly, it just seems like having a PR status would just be a novelty. My Mexican wife has kidded me about needing to get my "Green Card." |
More info on PR
http://www.debito.org/permres.html
Getting PR doesnt actually cost anything but they do a thorough check of your background. Anything so much as a speeding ticket can ground your application.
I think there is a special visa status for dependents of permanent resident status holders (PR itself is not a visa as you can not apply for PR outside Japan) |
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moot point
Joined: 22 Feb 2005
Posts: 441
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| Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2006 1:55 pm Post subject: |
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I have PR status. It is more expensive than a 3-yr. visa but lasts forever so will probably save you a few thousand yen in the long-run.
As previously mentioned your re-entry visa remains three years but you could let that permit expire anytime and simply apply for one a few days before you plan to leave Japan to make it last another 3 yrs.
Madeira wrote
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| How long can you leave Japan while on a PR? Any special paperwork? |
I asked this same question to the immigration authorities. The reason being is that I plan to live in another country for a couple of years. They said as long as I returned to Japan before my re-entry permit expired there is no time limit. |
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