Job Discussion Forums

Fritz · Joined: 09 Oct 2003 Posts: 3

I left Japan this summer a year into a three year work visa (teaching). The three year visa was thanks to a rare bit of generosity from the immigration office. I had a single reentry permit so when I left my work visa was not cancelled and I still have my gaijin card. Under the circumstances if I return to Japan in the near future can I still use my work visa or or will I have to start from scratch again?

Thanks for the help

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

If neither your visa nor your re-entry permit have expired, you can return and work again on that visa. You will, of course, have to notify the ward office within 2 weeks of your new address so they can make changes on the alien card.

Mosley · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 158

One thing I'm curious about though. Isn't it true that if you came back to work on that same visa, it would have to be at a job that requires the same designation/status(e.g. Instructor; Humanities specialist,etc.)? Otherwise, I'm almost certain that you'd have to get a brand new visa.

canuck · Joined: 11 May 2003 Posts: 1921 Location: Japan

Actually, if it's not with the same employer, they will cancel your visa. My friend left, came back a year later and they questioned him at the airport. He had his visa stamped that invalid or something to that extent and given a tourist visa. He said that if he could do it over again, he would just say he's returning to work, but after a long absence, you better have your story straight.

Fritz · Joined: 09 Oct 2003 Posts: 3

I would come back and keep doing the same kind of work. By the sounds of I may contact my former employer ahead of time and see if she will go along with the "story" - i.e. I am going back to work for her but I don't want to get her involved if at all possible. I am assuming that immigration may give her a phone call to check things out so I may have no choice though.

Mosley · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 158

Once again: Unlike S.Korea, I thought you "had" your visa, until the expiry date(1 year or 3 year), as long as your job(s) matched w/the status designation. So, for example, if you switched public schools, and had an "instructor" visa, you're OK. Or if you switched eikaiwas, and had a "Specialist in humanities...."(that one always makes me laugh, but I digress) visa, it was no sweat. That was my understanding, anyway....

canuck · Joined: 11 May 2003 Posts: 1921 Location: Japan

Mosley, that's what my friend thought too. It wasn't the case. He had a valid reentry permit and everything.

homersimpson · Joined: 14 Feb 2003 Posts: 569 Location: Kagoshima

In theory, as with most things in Japan, if you obtain a re-entry permit before leaving the country your work visa is still valid for the designated term (1-3 years depending). However, immigration is notoriously fickle, and an immigration officer can deny you re-entry or void your visa at the drop of a hat. I'm not saying this kind of renegade behavior goes on at the various points of entry (Narita, Fukuoka, Osaka, etc.), but it can and as non-citizens we have no recourse. I have left and re-entered several times with my re-entry permit and work visa intact without problem (although customs searched me intensely at Fukuoka Airport, but that's another story).

canuck · Joined: 11 May 2003 Posts: 1921 Location: Japan

Yes, howeveer the spirit of the working visa is to enable you to work for the designated company, as the company that sponsored you is required to be your "guardian" for the term of the visa, even if you're not working for them anymore.

In my friends case, it was a long absence...over a year.