View Survival:Your Status
When you enter Japan your passport will be stamped, indicating your status and permitted period of stay. You may later apply to change your visa status or extend your period of stay.
Types of Visas
Tourist or temporary visas permit you to stay in Japan for ninety days and this may be extended for a further ninety days providing you have sufficient funds, a return flight, and a valid reason for staying. It is illegal to work on a tourist visa.
Working visas can be applied for if you have a job in Japan with a contract and salary. Someone else, such as an employer, may apply on your behalf. You are only permitted to work in the field specified on your visa, but no other working restrictions apply.
Student visas are available to people who wish to study at an educational institution in Japan. The school must provide the necessary documentation. Contact your educational institution for more information.
Permanent resident visas do not restrict your activities in Japan, nor are visa renewals required, however it is rarely granted to people who have been living in Japan for less than ten years. Visit your nearest immigration office for more information.
Long-term resident visas are usually given to foreign spouses of Japanese, or in cases where an employer requires you to stay for more than one year. As opposed to a three-year working visa, long-term residency imposes no restrictions on your field of work.
Dependant visas are issued to foreign spouses of Japanese or foreigners, to the children of foreigners and to the children of unmarried couples whose father is Japanese. Spouses of Japanese nationals have no restrictions on their activities in Japan, whereas spouses of foreigners may not work more than twenty hours a week.
Changing your visa status
Your visa status can be changed at an immigration office or at your local ward office depending on the nature of the change. For some changes, you may be required to leave the country and re-enter. Contact the nearest immigration office for information.
Re-entry permits
Re-entry permits must be obtained in order to maintain your present visa status if you wish to leave Japan and return. Without a re-entry permit, your visa status will be cancelled. They are available at immigration offices for a few thousand yen. Single re-entry permits allow you to leave Japan just once, multiple re-entry permits allow you leave Japan several times.
Alien registration
Alien registration is required if you have any visa other than a tourist visa. Your local ward office will issue you with an ‘alien registration’ card which you must carry with you at all times. Any changes to your status must be reported to your ward office within fourteen days. The ward office will also give you a ward handbook which is a very valuable source of information.