Job Discussion Forums

Sour Grape · Joined: 10 May 2005 Posts: 241

So I have just received my spanking new passport.

I am assuming that I have to visit immigration to get the visa transferred into the new one. Is this correct, or will the fact that I have a valid visa in my now cancelled passport suffice?

(hopes desperately not to have to take a trip to the skankhole that is Shinagawa immigration).

If this has been asked and answered before, then feel free to call me a pillock as long as you point me in the direction of the answer Smile

.

Thanks

seklarwia · Posted: Tue Oct 19, 2010 8:21 am Post subject:

My forum search function is not working yet again (my browser says 'done' displaying a completely blank page!) but somebody here ( http://www.japan-guide.com/forum/quereadisplay.html?0+23627 ) said:

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

Yes, immigration is where the transfer to the new passport is done.

No, it is not needed, so long as you carry both old and new passports with you. Your choice.

Sour Grape · Joined: 10 May 2005 Posts: 241

Thanks. I'll give them a call with fingers crossed and see what they say.

ETA - a quick call revealed that that four-year-old information and Glenski are correct - Japanese visas don't need to be transferred into the new passport.

Apsara · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 2142 Location: Tokyo, Japan

They don't have to be, but I didn't like the idea of having to keep track of both passports and carry them with me every time I travelled for the next several years, so I got the sticker transferred over. It took all of 10 minutes.

Sour Grape · Joined: 10 May 2005 Posts: 241

Yes, I can appreciate that. I will probably only take one or at most two trips before getting a new visa anyway, so for me not having to take a day off work to head to immigration is the most important thing. Although it seems as if it won't take long from what you say, it is quite far from where I work.