Job Discussion Forums

[robertokun]

Sorry if this has come up a hundred times already, but I'm getting the blank screen again when I do a search.

I wanted to know if getting the three year work visa actually costs more or is in any way more difficult to get sponsored than the one year work visa. If it's as simple as checking a box on a form and doesn't cost extra, I'd like to ask potential employers if they'd sponsor me for the three year variety.

Thanks

[kahilm]

It's not up to the employer, it's up to the immigration office. I've done it twice, checked the 3-year box twice, and been granted 3 year visas both times. This was at Shinagawa. It costs the same as a 1 year renewal, a 4000 revenue stamp.

I've heard that smaller immigration offices only do 1 year renewals but I have no first hand experience with that.

[Apsara]

kahilm is correct, it's immigration who decides how long your visa will be, and their criteria is a mystery- possibly it depends on what side of the futon the officer who looks at your documents got out of that morning. Some people get one year visas, some get three-year visas right from the beginning- you can't influence it in any way.

[robertokun]

Wakarimashita. Thanks guys.