Job Discussion Forums

[1791]

Has anyone had an experience of being out of Japan for more than a few months and then trying to enter with the same work visa? I quite my job last August and came back to the States, but I want to go back this summer to work again for a different company. Any ideas how immigration will react?

Thanks.
Susan

[Nismo]

As far as I know - you can't do it. If you look on your visa it will read "Single Entry". It also expires 3 months after you receive the stamp, so if you received your visa in February, it would expire in May (after you should have already entered Japan). That's why you have to apply for a re-entry permit if you ever plan on taking a vacation outside of the country while you are working in Japan.

As far as my old student visa goes - the stamped void all over it when I was issued my work visa, because my student visa had a 7 year duration and was a multiple entry permit.

So the most basic answer would be 'no'.

[Glenski]

Single entry is not the only option. You can buy a multiple reentry permit from immigration, too, and come and go as you please until it expires.

Without the reentry permit, however, if you leave the country, your work visa will be invalidated.

So, 1791, did you get a reentry permit before you left Japan, or not?

[1791]

Sorry, everyone. I should've posted more details about my position. I have a work visa that expires in 2006, a multiple re-entry permit, and my alien registration card. I want to go back to work temporarily for this summer and know someone who can hook me up with a job, but the company only hires people who are already in Japan and have a valid visa. In other words, they won't sponsor a new visa.

Thanks for the responses so far!
1791

[Glenski]

1791,
Thanks for updating us on your situation.

Your work visa IS valid. Your only downfall is not being here. If that employer feels your work visa is not valid, he doesn't understand visas.

If you really want to work for him, politely tell him the situation or refer him to immigration, then make arrangements to get here ASAP. But, perhaps the issue is more a matter of wanting an employee to stay longer than the summer...

[chixdiggit]

I've done exactly what you are planning to do, with the same type of visa and re-entry permit. Glenski is right, Nismo is not.

[ERINJK]

You should have no problem coming back here to work since it doesn't expire until 2006. The immigration might ask you if you are back to work, but really shouldn't because you have all the correct paperwork!!
I've heard that if you are gone for an extended period of time then they look into your situation more carefully and ask you more questions.

Depends on the area you are looking for there should be a job coming up in July for a 3month homestay&teaching at a school... it's open right now for April but will be open again in July. It's in Nisho-Shi, Aichi-Ken. I saw it when I was searching for jobs for myself.

[carmenz]

I did this exact same thing.

Have your Gaijin card with you and an excuse for where you've been. I was gone for 12 months and returnd on the same work visa for a different job. The immigrations officer did look flustered for a minute and asked where I had been. I just told her I had done an around the world trip and was back to work and she said okay and passed me through. I didn't have any problems.

But I do think that your new company has to make a new sponsorship for you? Is this true, I am not sure. But my new company told me they had to do this. There is a procedure for this they said. But then again they barely ever told the truth, so you might want to ask around about that one.

[ERINJK]

When you change jobs in Japan you have to go to the local city office and get the new address put on your Foreigner Registration Card and then I think when you have to rennew your VISA that's when they sponser you. I'm not positive about the sponsering though. I just know you have to change the address