Going to Japan alone: Guide for Minors

[Glenski]

Did you notice that Glenski's links are from the Immigration section of Japan's Ministry of Justice? Go with what they tell you rather than what you may read elsewhere, because you can be damned sure the Immigration guys won't care what you read on some other website.

Absolutely! Go Go Wiki. What a name. By the way, they updated their homepage 23 February 2012, at 09:02., which is 6 months before the new visa rules went into effect. Not very efficient, are they?

 

[JouruKun]

Well, you assumed wrong. IMO, Tanaka either has just poor enough English (no surprise) that he can't make his point clear, or he is sly enough to try something to avoid his own legal responsibilities

You don't need a visa for sightseeing (unless you want to get a working holiday visa, which you aren't old enough for just yet).

You do need a visa to be a student, whether in high school, university or a language school. That is the purpose of your being here, so that is the reason you need the visa. Just because Tanaka says otherwise doesn't mean it's true. He may have to pay in order to register his school as eligible for sponsoring visas, and to avoid that he may feed you this line. It would also mean he probably doesn't have to pay certain taxes. I don't know.

You think getting a visa is a hassle? Get real. It's a legality. Don't like it? Don't come. The visa is good for 3 months and you want to study for 1/3 of that time. What a deal, eh!

No.

By the way, can you actually provide the documentation needed for the student visa anyway? Basically, you have to prove you have the funds to defray all costs of the course tuition. Only then can you be considered for the visa.

By the way, it's 2am in the UK. What are you doing up so late?

Foremostly, please don't ignore my statement to make me seem lazy/stupid. I said that getting a visa is a hassle but that I would definitely get one because I'm not an idiot. I do have a job. In fact it is money from this job that will be paying for every aspect of this trip. Why am I awake? It is a Saturday and I am not tired. What business is that of yours?

 

[Mike Cash]

One further note, never ever assume a Japanese language school is "reputable". There are some which are nothing more than fronts for visa fraud for people to come here and work. You don't want to find out the hard way....after you've paid your money and you're sitting there in a class expecting actual quality instruction and wondering why they barely go through the motions of pretending to teach anything.

 

[Glenski]

Uh, just did a little digging on NILS.
Japanese Language School NILS
"Standard course 4 weeks, Monday to Friday 9:00 am to 12:30pm / $750 (~58 000 Yen), Bigger classes, Visa provided, Courses start every month, Established in 2003,"

So, why don't they provide it to YOU?

How long does it take to be issued a pre-college visa? - Frequently Asked Questions - NILS

How long does it take to be issued a pre-college visa?

Following submission of the official documents to the Immigration Authority, it takes approximately two and a half months before the "Certificate of Eligibility" is issued. After the Certificate of Eligibility has been issued, a visa can be applied for at a Japan embassy or consulate. Results are usually announced 2 to 4 weeks prior to the intended school entrance period.

So, I ask the same question.

Is there an age limit?

We accept all students of any age except students who need to apply for a student visa.
If you are or will be applying for a student's visa, then your age must be plus 5 years after your final education.

Not sure what this means. It MIGHT mean you can't apply until age 21 or 22.

 

[Glenski]

Foremostly, please don't ignore my statement to make me seem lazy/stupid.

I don't think you know the meaning of the word "ignore". I actually paid very close attention to it and responded! You also said you thought it was a hassle "if it was unnecessary". Well, uh, yeah! However, as far as i can determine (and you should confirm with immigration), it actually IS necessary. That's why I responded, of course.

Why am I awake? It is a Saturday and I am not tired. What business is that of yours?

Just curious.

 

[JouruKun]

We accept all students of any age except students who need to apply for a student visa.

Why would they accept all students of any age EXCEPT students who need to apply for a student visa? That seems slightly strange.

 

[Glenski]

So, let's get back to your OP. You want to provide some sort of guide for people under 18 years of age who want to come to Japan. Uh, ok, but you don't have any experience with that. This is a problem that people should see right off.

If you collect enough supportive information that is accurate, that would alleviate some of their concerns. Depends on the person. My questions that you have not answered are as follows:

Beyond the age of a minor (which seems irrelevant for some reasons), what stuff are to trying to post?

What points do you see that are important for such travelers (not students, I presume)?

 

[Glenski]

Why would they accept all students of any age EXCEPT students who need to apply for a student visa? That seems slightly strange.

Huh? What do you mean "except"? They accept students who need student visas. They simply told YOU that you didn't need one. That is the bone of contention here.

 

[JouruKun]

So, let's get back to your OP. You want to provide some sort of guide for people under 18 years of age who want to come to Japan. Uh, ok, but you don't have any experience with that. This is a problem that people should see right off.

If you collect enough supportive information that is accurate, that would alleviate some of their concerns. Depends on the person. My questions that you have not answered are as follows:

Beyond the age of a minor (which seems irrelevant for some reasons), what stuff are to trying to post?

What points do you see that are important for such travelers (not students, I presume)?

It was meant to be a guide that people could add to. It has been a success in some ways... Now people can see that if you are oblivious to Japanese law changes and rush into things then you may end up in Japan immigration being sent back home. I am going to send out some emails about the situation to my embassy, NILS and whoever else I need information from. Despite the fact that you haven't been the kindest person to me in some ways, you have helped an awful lot! Thank you so much.

 

[Glenski]

If you REALLY want clarification on what Tanaka wrote, do this. Write back politely and say something along these lines:

"Dear Mr. Tanaka,
Thank you for all the helpful advice you have given so far. I have one concern that I hope you can explain to me.

Because I am a British citizen, I do not need a special visa to enter Japan. My passport is enough for sightseeing.

However, I have been told that because the main purpose of my visit is to enroll in your school as a student, I have to get a student visa. I am not sure if I understand your other explanation. I think that what you said means I don't need the student visa. This is confusing. I do not want to be in trouble with immigration. NILS provides visa sponsorship, so if I need the visa, I would like to apply for it.

Can you clarify one more time what is correct?"

 

[JouruKun]

Huh? What do you mean "except"? They accept students who need student visas. They simply told YOU that you didn't need one. That is the bone of contention here.

But it says on their site and I quote what you quoted

We accept all students of any age except students who need to apply for a student visa.

Unless I am unknowingly feeling the effects of tiredness, this leads me to believe that they only accept students who do not have student visa's, right?

 

[Glenski]

It was meant to be a guide that people could add to. It has been a success in some ways... Now people can see that if you are oblivious to Japanese law changes and rush into things then you may end up in Japan immigration being sent back home.

But that was for student visa situations. Your "guide" was set up for tourists! Sorry, but I'm lost here. Who is the target of your guide?

 

[JouruKun]

If you REALLY want clarification on what Tanaka wrote, do this. Write back politely and say something along these lines:

"Dear Mr. Tanaka,
Thank you for all the helpful advice you have given so far. I have one concern that I hope you can explain to me.

Because I am a British citizen, I do not need a special visa to enter Japan. My passport is enough for sightseeing.

However, I have been told that because the main purpose of my visit is to enroll in your school as a student, I have to get a student visa. I am not sure if I understand your other explanation. I think that what you said means I don't need the student visa. This is confusing. I do not want to be in trouble with immigration. NILS provides visa sponsorship, so if I need the visa, I would like to apply for it.

Can you clarify one more time what is correct?"

Once again, thank you. You have been to great of a help. I am very sorry for being rude and dismissive of your obviously correct information.

 

[Glenski]

But it says on their site and I quote what you quoted

Unless I am unknowingly feeling the effects of tiredness, this leads me to believe that they only accept students who do not have student visa's, right?

As I wrote after quoting that, I am not sure what they meant, too! This may likely be the case of poor translation into English, and it certainly deserves clarification on their part!

 

[JouruKun]

But that was for student visa situations. Your "guide" was set up for tourists! Sorry, but I'm lost here. Who is the target of your guide?

It was more for someone in my position of wanting to study for a few weeks on their own in Japan. I am sorry that I structured it so incorrectly and that the majority of my information turned out to be so invalid and wrong. I will delete the thread soon, I just need to make sure you don't pick up on anything else that I may believe that is indeed false.

 

[Mike Cash]

Zeal is nothing to be apologetic about.

 

[Chidoriashi]

But it says on their site and I quote what you quoted



Unless I am unknowingly feeling the effects of tiredness, this leads me to believe that they only accept students who do not have student visa's, right?

It sounds like they will take any student, as long as they already have a student visa in order.

 

[Glenski]

Why delete a thread that contains valuable links?

 

[Glenski]

As an addendum, I contacted LeoPalace. After I told them a British "friend" aged 17 wanted to come for a month and had no visa, only a valid passport, this is what they told me:

The monthly contract would be best.
He would need to tell LeoPalace the names of 3 emergency contacts, 2 in Japan (should be somebody who can speak Japanese) and 1 from his home country. Because in this kind of contract, he'll have to pay the entire amount of the rent in advance.

So, they don't seem to care about a lack of visa as long as the nationality is permitted to come without one for that short a time. However, paying all the rent up front might pose a problem to some people, especially teens younger than 18, and providing 2 contacts in Japan who can speak Japanese might also be a problem.

 

[Mike Cash]

There are other companies than LeoPalace which offer furnished apartments/flats for short-term rental. Google ウイクリーマンション and you should find listings. They provide a good alternative for people who will be in a place long enough to cringe at the cost of a hotel stay but not long enough to make it worth the expense and hassle of a regular lease.

 

[JouruKun]

So, they don't seem to care about a lack of visa as long as the nationality is permitted to come without one for that short a time. However, paying all the rent up front might pose a problem to some people, especially teens younger than 18, and providing 2 contacts in Japan who can speak Japanese might also be a problem.

I have already been in contact with LeoPalace and they have made me aware of the rules and what not. Luckily enough I have friends who live in Ibaraki -prefecture who I met in the UK who would happily be emergency contacts.

Also, Tanaka-san from NILS replied to the email you suggested for me to send:

Dear Williams-san,

Thank you for your reply.

First, you are allowed to visit Japan for sightseeing for up to 3 months (or 90 days). This includes short term language study. Your purpose to visit Japan is learning short term language program at NILS and sightseeing. We had some students from the UK before, but they didn't have any trouble at all with the immigration.

Remember that you must show your return ticket when entering Japan so that you can prove that you will be leaving Japan within 3 months (or 90 days).

As for registration process, kindly request you book our program early in next year.


Any further questions, please don't hesitate to ask me.


Sincerely yours,
Tanaka

I will email the Japan embassy in the UK and if I do not get a reply (I most likely will) then I will go and visit the embassy because I only live a 1 hour 30 minutes train journey from London therefore it would not be any trouble especially considering the situation.

 

[Glenski]

Tanaka's letter leaves out some important information.

Those other UK students may indeed have gone to NILS without a student visa, but did they tell immigration upon arrival that they were here to study or sightsee only? I already told you the likely scenario.

He also says 3 months or 90 days. There is actually a difference depending on nationality, and if you overstay even by just one day because you didn't understand that, you could be in trouble.
Japan gets tough on visa violators / 1-day overstay can bring time in cell, 5-year banishment - SFGate
If he's just trying to cover the bases by listing both time frames, why? He knows your nationality, right? He should only tell you one.

I have already been in contact with LeoPalace and they have made me aware of the rules and what not. Luckily enough I have friends who live in Ibaraki-prefecture who I met in the UK who would happily be emergency contacts.

Good for you, but I posted that for the sake of other teens.

 

[JouruKun]

Tanaka's letter leaves out some important information.

Those other UK students may indeed have gone to NILS without a student visa, but did they tell immigration upon arrival that they were here to study or sightsee only? I already told you the likely scenario.

He also says 3 months or 90 days. There is actually a difference depending on nationality, and if you overstay even by just one day because you didn't understand that, you could be in trouble.
Japan gets tough on visa violators / 1-day overstay can bring time in cell, 5-year banishment - SFGate
If he's just trying to cover the bases by listing both time frames, why? He knows your nationality, right? He should only tell you one.

Good for you, but I posted that for the sake of other teens.

I will wait until the embassy get back to me before I advance any further. I will make sure that the school fees are not even considered until I get more information on whether a Visa is needed due to the new laws as well as whether the school is confused/lying. I doubt they are confused as their English is not bad at all.

 

[Glenski]

I doubt they are confused as their English is not bad at all.

I've already pointed out at least one instance where it is fairly bad. You give them too much credit. Check back with us when you hear more.

Embassies don't always know immigration protocols, by the way.