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Angelfish · Joined: 18 Jan 2006 Posts: 131

I currently have to work in Japan which expires May 2010 and still have my ARC but am now living back in the UK. I left Japan October 2007 and didn't hand in my ARC. I plan to return to Japan (hopefully) with the JET programme in August 2009. The visa is in my old passport which expired February 2008. I now have a new passport.

My question: Should I...?
A) Go to the Japanese Embassy and hand in my old ARC and have my old visa voided before applying for JET this October.
or
B) Not worry about it because it's in my old passport and the two won't corollate anyway.

Thanks.

G Cthulhu · Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2008 1:47 am Post subject: Re: A convoluted visa question.

*IMO*, always take the path of least resistence and easiest apology: new passport means new passport number so it shouldn't throw any spanners in the work unless someone goes to the trouble of running your old number to check for anything outstanding on it (& the chances of that are... slim IMO). So, ignore the whole situation and apply under the new number. If anything comes up at some point *then* apologise, say you didn't know you had to hand things back, blahblahblah, and you'll be golden.

Good luck with the JET appy.

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

Angelfish · Joined: 18 Jan 2006 Posts: 131

Yep, that was a typo. Working 50+ hours a week is making my English worser.

I'm not applying for JET this time around, it won't be till August 2009. I do have the re-entry permit as well.

englishtutor1378 · Joined: 18 May 2007 Posts: 44

That is interesting. From the posts that I have read and from some of my house mates that have been here in Japan for over 10 years they say that it is a good idea not to tell JET that you have worked in Japan. One of my house mates in fact applied for JET back in 1997 he says back then since he had already been to Japan his application was automatically revoked. I guess because the point of the program is to seek and enhance internationalization in Japan and to promote mutual understanding between Japan and other nations. Back then, I guess if you have previously been to Japan in the past that will spoil the �understanding� part and that the individual who has been to Japan already somewhat understand this society and of course most of you all know it is different from every other country in this world. Now-a-days, I hear it is less then 3 years you are allowed to be in Japan and any more it is not accepted.

1) Hypothetically speaking, if Angelfish applies for JET is it better to say she has never worked in Japan before since she will be getting a new visa anyway or does it not matter?

2) Since Angelfish has experience already teaching in Japan isn't it a good idea to use her former company as a reference? Since I hear they require a few references.

About permanent residency. I hear that you have to be here for about 10 years to apply for this. My question to you guys are pertaining to Visa�s, as well.

3) For example, if I was to run-out my current visa after this year and got a new one in 2009 does the MOJ put into consideration after 10 years if I am interested in attaining permanent residency since I started here in 2006?

4) Does anybody have any info about what can possibly happen here in Japan if one was to get caught with an expired visa? Immediate deportation?

5) If one was planning to attain PR, is it a must to renew the same visa year after year? Or every 3 years if one gets lucky to get a 3 year visa.
Surprised

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

Re: JET