Job Discussion Forums

[User N. Ame]

A friend of mine asked me this, and I couldn't give her an answer. She has just signed a one year contract with a company in Japan, and is required to be in Japan a few days early for training (which technically makes her stay longer than 365 days). Yet she can't find a 1-year open jaw flight that allows the return flight to go past the year mark.

Are immigration officials at Narita sticky about this. Do they really need to see a return date on your ticket that matches the completion date of contract?

I suggested she simply get one of those Cheap Flights 2-week return tickets (which are currently seeling in Canada for about 800 bucks), then simply pick up a cheap one way back to Canada when she's ready to leave Japan. Open jaw tickets are pricey, especially if the return portion can't be used due to exceeding the 1-year mark.

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And a somewhat related question. I left Japan last month after finishing my job, yet - just to keep my options open - I kept my alien card, and my work visa is still good for another 2 years. I have a re-entry permit. If I return to Japan, do I need to show proof of a work contract and/or return ticket? Or does my active visa (and re-entry permit) status allow me to come and go with few questions asked?

Many thanks.

[stillnosheep]

If you are staying in Japan for a year or more and have a one year work visa of course you don't need to have proof of a return flight when arriving in Japan. Proof of having a return (or onward) flight is only necc. if you are coming in on a short-term tourist visa.

[johncanada24]

[G Cthulhu]

[Webster_and_Webbie]

I don't think your friend needs to buy an open jaw ticket at all if they have proof of work and their work visa - they should be able to fly on a one way ticket with out too much harrassment from customs and immigration. Tell your friend to google Tour East Travel Toronto - tickets are about $650, or Queen Travel on Spadina in Toronto - tickets are $493 for a one way flight to Tokyo.

[canuck]

WHV = having to buy a return ticket. You will not be able to board without one.

[Hoser]

[furiousmilksheikali]

If you buy an open-jaw ticket then you often set a provisional date for the return flight which can be altered when you contact your airline.

[Apsara]

An open-jaw ticket is one where you arrive in one airport and then fly out of another, i.e. outgoing LA-Narita, return Osaka-LA.

An open ticket, for example "one year open" is the one you want if you return within a year but haven't decided exactly when.

It is usually the check-in staff at the airport who won't let you board the plane to Japan when you leave if they think your visa doesn't allow you to travel to Japan on a one way ticket. You won't get as far as Japan Immigration if that's the case.

[furiousmilksheikali]