Being A Broad Discussion Board

Is this possible?

2011-11-19T06:16:14+09:00

Hi ladies (& gents),

My (non-Japanese) husband and I (also non-Japanese) lived in Japan a few years ago and adored it. We’d like to return and live there again and had a hare-brained idea about how to do it. Can anyone tell me if this is possible or how to get more information?

Specifically, we were wondering if it’s possible to reside in Japan based on income made by telecommuting from our home country. We have plenty of income for our family of four. What visa would we need? Could we self sponsor? Should we incorporate? How would this affect health insurance, dependent visas, and taxation? Again, is it even possible?

Any advice or even suggestions on how to research this (in English…my Japanese is not adequate for discussing this) would be much appreciated. Thanks!

Renewing a visa

2009-07-02T17:11:19+09:00

Does anyone know what exactly is needed for renewing a visa? I can’t find clear information anywhere…

I have my Certificate of Employment and my tax statement…

Renewing and changing name on passport

2008-08-28T19:24:43+09:00

Hi. I’m getting married in a few weeks in Tokyo and afterwards I’d like to change my name on my passport. I’m a US citizen. My question is, has anyone ever changed their name on their passport and how long did it take? My concern is in December I will be having my wedding in the US and would need my passport by then. If it takes longer than a month or so, maybe I should just wait until after I get back from the US to change my name.

Japan Visa Run

2011-07-06T06:57:22+09:00

I will be going to Japan to visit my girlfriend, I am thinking to stay there for 6 month, I know my Visa as a european citizen is for 3 months.

Can I later do a visa run? Like go to Thailand fromm Japan for 2 or 3 weeks and then come back again to Japan?

Married but not changing name

2011-06-07T09:54:46+09:00

I recently got married but I don’t want to change my name. (at least not yet.) the process of changing passport, gaijin card, ssn card and everything else is a bit tiresome. Is there any reason why I have to do it anytime soon?

visa renewal

2011-05-04T18:56:55+09:00

My hubby is here on a Spec in Humanity visa (I am on a dependent visa) and has just submitted his first renewal. He has asked for a 3 year visa as we want to stay here for a long time. We have heard that a 3 year visa is only offered if your employer gives you a 3 year contract. Does anyone know if this is true?

Do I need any other visa?

2011-05-03T21:22:36+09:00

My bf is Japanese, living in Japan and we are planning to get married by the end of this year, that includes my immigration as well. I’m currently still living in Europe.
I plan to ship some of my belongings (e.g. some furniture as well) to Japan, before my departure. I heard there is no tax or duties to pay for personal belongings in immigration.

My actual plan was to come to Japan on a tourist visa and then get married and change my visa (of course I will have prepared all documents for the marriage beforehand while still living in my country).

Does anybody know if I need any other visa than “tourist” to be able to bring my shipped belongings to Japan without paying duties?

Thanks in advance.

How to get an urgent VISA extension?

2011-04-06T21:09:12+09:00

Hello again~

I actually wrote recently about how I still have a VISA but it’s lost its sponsorship. At this point, I’m no longer concerned about the sponsorship, but whether I can somehow find a way to extend my VISA.

I’m actually a college student here in Japan, living in Tokyo. My VISA lasts until June 16th of this year, although my school’s sponsorship of the VISA ended March 31st. The reason I am concerned is because after what happened with the disaster here, I’ve really run out of money. I don’t have enough to fly home, so I’ve been working here trying to save up for a flight and everything. I mean, I don’t want to return home anyway, but naturally if my VISA expires, I’m supposed to leave the country, right?

Still, I don’t think it’s going to be possible for me. I know I won’t have enough saved by June to actually fly home. Do you guys know of any way I can extend my VISA, either keeping it as a college student VISA or somehow turning it into a work VISA or whatever else is possible? I truly don’t want to go home yet anyway because I’ve been making so much progress with my life here, and in addition, I want to stay and help with relief efforts. But at the same time, if I have to leave, I’d rather not be forced out because I didn’t have enough for a flight or whatever.

Some other info, just in case, because I know this plays a huge part in VISA extensions. I am just a college student. I don’t have a BA or anything higher. I am simply here to study.

Please let me know what your thoughts are! Thank you for your time! m(_ _)m

P.S. Anyone think it’s a good idea for me to talk to the US Embassy about my situation? I’m an American citizen!

new rules in regards to visa

2009-08-10T21:55:38+09:00

Hi Everyone,
I am not sure if everyone here knows about this but I was surprised to read in the Japan Times that foreigners who don’t belong to one of the national health plans or haven’t been paying pension (seems to be a set thing) will be unable to get their visas renewed as of April next year.
Of course, if you haven’t been in one of the health insurance plans, you can start from now….but be prepared to back pay from when you came to Japan, or maybe they have a maximum limit, I don’t know.
I’ll try and link it.
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fl20090728zg.html
I am really starting to feel like Japan doesn’t want foreigners here anymore.
Sheri

Is it possible to change your visa?

2010-10-20T10:07:02+09:00

Since I’m finding it impossible to get a job with my instructor’s visa, I’m wanting to get it changed to a student visa so I may attend a language school. Has anyone been able to get their visa changed? What problems did you face in doing so?

I’ve got two options for this next year:
1. improve my Japanese ability by May 2011 and stay until my visa expires in March 2012 - my current contract ends in May 2011
2. go back to the states in May 2011 and never come back to Japan

I’ve been in Japan for three years and still can’t hold a conversation with anyone since I constantly attract the English learners. I’m hoping I can attend a Japanese language school, and get the help I need in getting more conversation practice so that I can get a non-teaching job.

Concerning visas in general, what requirements are there concerning one that is still valid but you haven’t been gainfully employed as you were in the beginning? As far as the government is concerned, all bills have been paid for and on time.

Thanks!