JimmySeal
Tubthumper
- 5 Mar 2006
- 1,516
- 78
I think he is implying that if you have enough money, there are ways to get a visa without actually working, studying, or marrying somebody.
Monetary corruption is what Japan does best.
Immigration questions
- Thread starter randal
- Start date
I think he is implying that if you have enough money, there are ways to get a visa without actually working, studying, or marrying somebody.
Monetary corruption is what Japan does best.
- 15 Mar 2002
- 16,758
- 2,298
I hate that nudge-nudge-wink-wink "nuff said" expression. Generally people who say "nuff said" said it because they either have no more information or are talking out their *** to begin with.
Elaborate. List a few of those various ways that one might find out by meeting with various lawyers.
Surely if a guy on the internet in America is privy to this information then a visit to just one Japanese immigration attorney ought to suffice?
hsakakibara1
先輩
- 31 Jul 2008
- 146
- 4
No that is not what I am stating. You need to get a visa to enter Japan and then stay but people with wealth, with the right connections, may be able to smooth their way for PR or kokuseki.
Well who cares if you don't like it. It means it may be worth getting off the old oshiri and meeting a few lawyers for yourself.
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- 20 Aug 2003
- 4,910
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Hmm, "kokuseki" simply means nationality. What are you trying to say here? I'm confused again.
Please stop with the "money smooths things out" routine. Spit it out. What sort of "smoothing" are you talking about? Bribing an immigration officer? If you have never been to Japan, then you know nothing about their pretty strict immigration policies. Money will not buy you PR.
- 15 Mar 2002
- 16,758
- 2,298
Just as I thought. You were talking out your *** to begin with.
- 17 Sep 2005
- 6,017
- 1,970
If you are independently wealthy and this is truly important to you, I think you'd be better off asking a lawyer who specializes in such matter than asking around an internet board. You should also be more than able to afford it, as well.
GaijinPunch
遠いから行きません
- 25 Nov 2004
- 1,275
- 34
Good to see some things don't change around here. I'd like to resurrect this nugget, mainly to ask Glenski. I've read around and see the the old "10 year" rule on getting PR. "Consecutive" seems to be a key word when getting any type of non-working visa. Going the Spouse->PR route, I briefly talked to some gal at immigration and she said I needed to be married 3 consecutive years *IN* Japan to apply. There was no mention of 10 years, or being married for 5 years.
I'm also under the impression that they won't care about the 7 consecutive years I lived here before this visa. However, I have at least two friends that have been married and lived in Japan, but less than 5 years but have PR.
Coming up w/ a strategy, this whole "contribution to Japan" thing has me somewhat worried. I work for myself now, which seems to be terrible in their eyes.
I'm also under the impression that they won't care about the 7 consecutive years I lived here before this visa. However, I have at least two friends that have been married and lived in Japan, but less than 5 years but have PR.
Coming up w/ a strategy, this whole "contribution to Japan" thing has me somewhat worried. I work for myself now, which seems to be terrible in their eyes.
- 20 Aug 2003
- 4,910
- 416
GaijinPunch,
The rule is not a rule, per se. It is a guideline. I know someone who came here and inside one year got PR. That person had previously spent more than 10 years here, though, and his absence was not all that long (2 years, maybe?). And, of course, I got my PR in less than 10 years, but I was married to a Japanese and had a spouse visa (as had my friend above). So, circumstances make a difference.
If you believe people on GaijinPot, GARYFINCH stated he got PR after living here only 13 months and having been married for 6 years.
GaijinPot
And, on this thread wendyloujp got PR during her second 3-year spouse visa term (although that was a long time ago).
GaijinPot
And, in this thread, the poster nrc claimed to get PR after being married about 3 years.
GaijinPot
BTW, trust the poster named "bland" on immigration matters.
As for a 10-year rule on work visas, it depends on what type you mean. The Specialist in Humanities/International Relations work visa requires only 3 years of experience. Investor/Business Manager is 3 years or even less depending on the type of business one wants to set up. Legal/Accounting visa has no restriction like that, but you need to be properly certified. And, on and on. Look here for requirements. http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/appendix1.html
If you want the requirements/guidelines for PR, look here and follow the links:
Immigration Services Agency of Japan
The rule is not a rule, per se. It is a guideline. I know someone who came here and inside one year got PR. That person had previously spent more than 10 years here, though, and his absence was not all that long (2 years, maybe?). And, of course, I got my PR in less than 10 years, but I was married to a Japanese and had a spouse visa (as had my friend above). So, circumstances make a difference.
If you believe people on GaijinPot, GARYFINCH stated he got PR after living here only 13 months and having been married for 6 years.
GaijinPot
And, on this thread wendyloujp got PR during her second 3-year spouse visa term (although that was a long time ago).
GaijinPot
And, in this thread, the poster nrc claimed to get PR after being married about 3 years.
GaijinPot
BTW, trust the poster named "bland" on immigration matters.
As for a 10-year rule on work visas, it depends on what type you mean. The Specialist in Humanities/International Relations work visa requires only 3 years of experience. Investor/Business Manager is 3 years or even less depending on the type of business one wants to set up. Legal/Accounting visa has no restriction like that, but you need to be properly certified. And, on and on. Look here for requirements. http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/appendix1.html
If you want the requirements/guidelines for PR, look here and follow the links:
Immigration Services Agency of Japan
- 20 Aug 2003
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From the same site:
Guidelines for Contribution to Japan
The person satisfies any of the below-mentioned requirements and has stayed in Japan for more than five years without causing any problems in his/her social life.
1. Common to all fields
* The person has been awarded a prize by an international organization, foreign government or any equivalent organization, with the prize being internationally evaluated as authoritative.
ex.) Nobel Prize, Fields Prize, The Pritzker Architecture Prize and Legion d'Honneur
* The person has been given any of the following awards by Japanese government:
National Honor Award, decoration, the Order of Culture, Medal of Honor (except the Medal with Dark Blue Ribbon and an award for the deceased given to a bereaved family) or the Japan Prize
* The person spent more than three years or so for pursuing public-service activities as a committee member, etc. appointed or commissioned by the Japanese central government or a local government.
* The person has made great contribution to the conservation or development of the society or local community in Japan through medical, educational and other vocational activities.
2. Diplomatic field
* The person has been working in Japan as a member of a diplomatic mission or consular office of a foreign government and has rendered distinguished service contributing to the improvement of friendship or cultural exchanges between Japan and his/her country.
* The person has a career as a secretary-general, deputy secretary-general or a higher-level title holder of any equivalent managerial position of an international organization of which Japan is a member nation.
3. Economic or industrial field
* The person has made contribution to the development of the Japanese economy or industry through his/her activities as an employee or management in a Japanese company whose stock is listed on the stock exchange or whose business scale is as large as those companies having listed stocks, and has been or had been engaged in the activities for more than three years in Japan.
* The person has made contribution to the development of the Japanese economy or industry through his/her activities as a manager or equivalent title holder in a managerial position of a Japanese company whose stock is listed on the stock exchange or whose business scale is as large as those companies having listed stocks, and has been engaged in the activities for more than five years.
* The person has made contribution to the industrial development of our country, and has been awarded a prize as a result of being selected from among nationwide candidates.
ex.) Grand Prize or Special Prize of Good Design Award (sponsored by Japan Industrial design Promotion Organization)
* The person has made great contribution to Japan's agricultural, forestry, fishery, industrial, commercial or other business development through his/her activities as an engineer or technical expert having advanced or high-level expertise.
4. Culture or art field
* The person has been awarded a prize which is widely evaluated as authoritative in the category of literature, fine art, motion pictures, music, theater art, entertainment or other cultural or artistic fields.
ex.) La Biennale di Venezia, Golden Lion, Prince Takamatsu Imperial Art Prize, Academy Awards, Awards at Cannes Film Festival, Awards at Venice Film Festival, and Awards at Berlin Film Festival
* The person has made contribution to the development of Japanese culture through his/her activities for more than 3 years in Japan in a position of leadership in the category of literature, fine art, motion pictures, music, theater art, entertainment or other cultural or artistic field.
5. Education field
* The person has made contribution to the improvement of the level of Japan's higher education through his/her activities as a full-time teacher or equivalent-to-fulltime professor, assistant professor or lecturer working for a Japanese university or any equivalent academic institution as defined under the School Education Law of Japan, and has been or had been engaged in the activities for more than three years in Japan.
6. Research field
* The person has been recognized to have made distinguished achievements through his/her research activities and falls under any of the following:
1. The person's paper on the results of his/her research has been published in a scientific/technical journal, and has been referred to by two or more other researchers in their papers.
2. Two or more of the person's papers on the results of his/her research have been published in scientific journals as a result of selection through fair judgment.
3. Many of the person's papers on the results of his/her research have been published in authoritative scientific journals.
4. The person has been highly evaluated by a scientific society generally known as an authoritative organization, and has the experience of giving a lecture, etc.
7. Sports field
* The person has won a high-level prize in a well-known international sports competition or other convention such as the Olympic Games, world championships, etc., or the person has made great contribution to such prize-winning achievement as a coach or instructor of such athletes and is pursuing instruction activities or promotion activities of that sport in Japan.
* The person has won a high-level prize in an international sports competition or other convention, or the person has made great contribution to such prize-winning achievements as a coach or instructor of such athletes, and has spent more than three years in Japan pursuing sports instruction activities or sports promoting activities.
* The person made great contribution to the promotion of sports in Japan.
8. Other fields
* The person has contributed to the development of Japanese society in the field of public welfare, and won a prize as a result of selection from among nationwide candidates.
ex.) One More Life Workers' Volunteering Award, awards for persons who are recognized to have made contributions to the society
* The person made great contribution to Japanese society or welfare through his/her public-service activities.
Guidelines for Contribution to Japan
The person satisfies any of the below-mentioned requirements and has stayed in Japan for more than five years without causing any problems in his/her social life.
1. Common to all fields
* The person has been awarded a prize by an international organization, foreign government or any equivalent organization, with the prize being internationally evaluated as authoritative.
ex.) Nobel Prize, Fields Prize, The Pritzker Architecture Prize and Legion d'Honneur
* The person has been given any of the following awards by Japanese government:
National Honor Award, decoration, the Order of Culture, Medal of Honor (except the Medal with Dark Blue Ribbon and an award for the deceased given to a bereaved family) or the Japan Prize
* The person spent more than three years or so for pursuing public-service activities as a committee member, etc. appointed or commissioned by the Japanese central government or a local government.
* The person has made great contribution to the conservation or development of the society or local community in Japan through medical, educational and other vocational activities.
2. Diplomatic field
* The person has been working in Japan as a member of a diplomatic mission or consular office of a foreign government and has rendered distinguished service contributing to the improvement of friendship or cultural exchanges between Japan and his/her country.
* The person has a career as a secretary-general, deputy secretary-general or a higher-level title holder of any equivalent managerial position of an international organization of which Japan is a member nation.
3. Economic or industrial field
* The person has made contribution to the development of the Japanese economy or industry through his/her activities as an employee or management in a Japanese company whose stock is listed on the stock exchange or whose business scale is as large as those companies having listed stocks, and has been or had been engaged in the activities for more than three years in Japan.
* The person has made contribution to the development of the Japanese economy or industry through his/her activities as a manager or equivalent title holder in a managerial position of a Japanese company whose stock is listed on the stock exchange or whose business scale is as large as those companies having listed stocks, and has been engaged in the activities for more than five years.
* The person has made contribution to the industrial development of our country, and has been awarded a prize as a result of being selected from among nationwide candidates.
ex.) Grand Prize or Special Prize of Good Design Award (sponsored by Japan Industrial design Promotion Organization)
* The person has made great contribution to Japan's agricultural, forestry, fishery, industrial, commercial or other business development through his/her activities as an engineer or technical expert having advanced or high-level expertise.
4. Culture or art field
* The person has been awarded a prize which is widely evaluated as authoritative in the category of literature, fine art, motion pictures, music, theater art, entertainment or other cultural or artistic fields.
ex.) La Biennale di Venezia, Golden Lion, Prince Takamatsu Imperial Art Prize, Academy Awards, Awards at Cannes Film Festival, Awards at Venice Film Festival, and Awards at Berlin Film Festival
* The person has made contribution to the development of Japanese culture through his/her activities for more than 3 years in Japan in a position of leadership in the category of literature, fine art, motion pictures, music, theater art, entertainment or other cultural or artistic field.
5. Education field
* The person has made contribution to the improvement of the level of Japan's higher education through his/her activities as a full-time teacher or equivalent-to-fulltime professor, assistant professor or lecturer working for a Japanese university or any equivalent academic institution as defined under the School Education Law of Japan, and has been or had been engaged in the activities for more than three years in Japan.
6. Research field
* The person has been recognized to have made distinguished achievements through his/her research activities and falls under any of the following:
1. The person's paper on the results of his/her research has been published in a scientific/technical journal, and has been referred to by two or more other researchers in their papers.
2. Two or more of the person's papers on the results of his/her research have been published in scientific journals as a result of selection through fair judgment.
3. Many of the person's papers on the results of his/her research have been published in authoritative scientific journals.
4. The person has been highly evaluated by a scientific society generally known as an authoritative organization, and has the experience of giving a lecture, etc.
7. Sports field
* The person has won a high-level prize in a well-known international sports competition or other convention such as the Olympic Games, world championships, etc., or the person has made great contribution to such prize-winning achievement as a coach or instructor of such athletes and is pursuing instruction activities or promotion activities of that sport in Japan.
* The person has won a high-level prize in an international sports competition or other convention, or the person has made great contribution to such prize-winning achievements as a coach or instructor of such athletes, and has spent more than three years in Japan pursuing sports instruction activities or sports promoting activities.
* The person made great contribution to the promotion of sports in Japan.
8. Other fields
* The person has contributed to the development of Japanese society in the field of public welfare, and won a prize as a result of selection from among nationwide candidates.
ex.) One More Life Workers' Volunteering Award, awards for persons who are recognized to have made contributions to the society
* The person made great contribution to Japanese society or welfare through his/her public-service activities.
GaijinPunch
遠いから行きません
- 25 Nov 2004
- 1,275
- 34
Cheers Glenski.
My background is basically.
Jan '98 - Oct '04.
Jan '07 - Present
I've been married Since October of 2003. When I got my latest 3 year Spouse Visa, I visted the little PR Soudan Corner. They said don't bother unless I was married and living in Japan for 3 consecutive years.
I guess the biggest part I'm worried about is the "contribution to Japan" thing. I am now employed by my own company (which employs my wife and myself, and soon one more). I give my clothes to homeless people in Yoyogi Park a couple of times a year. Other than that, that's about it.
Well, I feel I contribute more than I detriment in forums like this one, but that's of course subjective.
My background is basically.
Jan '98 - Oct '04.
Jan '07 - Present
I've been married Since October of 2003. When I got my latest 3 year Spouse Visa, I visted the little PR Soudan Corner. They said don't bother unless I was married and living in Japan for 3 consecutive years.
I guess the biggest part I'm worried about is the "contribution to Japan" thing. I am now employed by my own company (which employs my wife and myself, and soon one more). I give my clothes to homeless people in Yoyogi Park a couple of times a year. Other than that, that's about it.
Well, I feel I contribute more than I detriment in forums like this one, but that's of course subjective.
- 20 Aug 2003
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Just apply. Doesn't cost anything and doesn't look bad on your "record". With any luck, you'll get it. Mine took less than 2 months just a couple of years ago, despite them telling me to expect to wait 6 months. I'd been married 5 years and was on the second renewal of my spouse visa (one year, then 3 years).
Contributions? I taught English for 7 years. Never got arrested or ticketed. I married a Japanese. I really don't think you need to worry about any contributions. If someone actually asks you, just say you did whatever work you did up to the point of running your own business, and add that you started whatever business you have now. The worst that can happen is they say apply again later, and the next worst thing is that they simply ask for some extra documentation.
Give it a shot.
Contributions? I taught English for 7 years. Never got arrested or ticketed. I married a Japanese. I really don't think you need to worry about any contributions. If someone actually asks you, just say you did whatever work you did up to the point of running your own business, and add that you started whatever business you have now. The worst that can happen is they say apply again later, and the next worst thing is that they simply ask for some extra documentation.
Give it a shot.
GaijinPunch
遠いから行きません
- 25 Nov 2004
- 1,275
- 34
Thanks, Glenski. I will likely do that here towrads the end off this visa (about 2 years and change from now) assuming I haven't hit burnout by then.
GaijinPunch
遠いから行きません
- 25 Nov 2004
- 1,275
- 34
Well, I've got 2.5 years left on my visa. When I went to the ole' soudan corner, they said don't bother unless I had been in Japan 3 consecutive years (married). Consecutive being the main word. I told them my situation, and they told me to wait. Accumulative apparently doesn't help much. 
One other thing I'm not clear on. I hear it takes 8 months in some cases. Are you not allowed to leave the country at all during the process? That seems rather lengthy for some people...especially something that leaves 4 times a year.
One other thing I'm not clear on. I hear it takes 8 months in some cases. Are you not allowed to leave the country at all during the process? That seems rather lengthy for some people...especially something that leaves 4 times a year.
- 20 Aug 2003
- 4,910
- 416
Getting PR is just as much a crap shoot as visas, IMO. Mine took 2 months or so. They said it would take 6. Some people take 8 or 12 or 18. This is one reason you should apply fairly early before your visa runs out. (I applied on the day before my spouse visa ran out, and they said to apply for renewal of that at the same time just to be safe.)
As far as accumulative time goes, immigration officials often do not agree on the process of paperwork and timelines. They are just government drones, and it often pays just to talk to a more senior person behind the desk.
You've been married for almost 5 years. I had, too, when I applied.
I had been in the country without any interruptions for about 7 years. Your total time is close to that. I have a colleague who was here 10-20 years, left, and when he returned got PR inside of the first year.
If you leave the country legally (with a reentry permit), I believe you'll be ok, but confirm this with immigration. Realize, though, that when they send you the announcement that it's been issued, you only have a limited time to pick it up. I forget if it's 2 or 4 weeks, but I'd lean more towards 2.
Roll the dice. It's free. When it comes in, you bring your 8000 yen plus whatever fee for reentry permit, and you're done.
As far as accumulative time goes, immigration officials often do not agree on the process of paperwork and timelines. They are just government drones, and it often pays just to talk to a more senior person behind the desk.
You've been married for almost 5 years. I had, too, when I applied.
I had been in the country without any interruptions for about 7 years. Your total time is close to that. I have a colleague who was here 10-20 years, left, and when he returned got PR inside of the first year.
If you leave the country legally (with a reentry permit), I believe you'll be ok, but confirm this with immigration. Realize, though, that when they send you the announcement that it's been issued, you only have a limited time to pick it up. I forget if it's 2 or 4 weeks, but I'd lean more towards 2.
Roll the dice. It's free. When it comes in, you bring your 8000 yen plus whatever fee for reentry permit, and you're done.
GaijinPunch
遠いから行きません
- 25 Nov 2004
- 1,275
- 34
Aight, sounds like a plan. I'd rather hire a lawyer to take care of it if possible as I'm kind of slammed these days.
Oh, and I had planned on applying w/ at least a year left on my spouse visa anyway.
Cheers for all the info/support.
GaijinPunch
遠いから行きません
- 25 Nov 2004
- 1,275
- 34
B/c my non-married, non-parent friend just got his using a lawyer. That, and it really is a pain in the *** for me to go down there. Crappy hours, far away. Yes, I'm a slave, I know.
- 20 Aug 2003
- 4,910
- 416
GP,
Many of us (me included) never used a lawyer. You just hand in the documents. Takes about 10 minutes. Do as you please (and check to see if a proxy is all right), but if you can't be bothered to do this, I have to wonder what is so important in your life. Again, no offense, but this is a pretty important matter. I live about a 2.5 hour drive from the closest immigration office, and I made the trip just for that 10 minute task.
Many of us (me included) never used a lawyer. You just hand in the documents. Takes about 10 minutes. Do as you please (and check to see if a proxy is all right), but if you can't be bothered to do this, I have to wonder what is so important in your life. Again, no offense, but this is a pretty important matter. I live about a 2.5 hour drive from the closest immigration office, and I made the trip just for that 10 minute task.
GaijinPunch
遠いから行きません
- 25 Nov 2004
- 1,275
- 34
Well, you likely have more dedication than me. My life is pretty structured at the moment. I work at home, and have plenty of it to do. I'm assuming a proxy that has experience can once over everything and hopefully save me from any glaring mistakes. That's the main thing I would be worried about.
2.5 hours? Impressive. I'm about a 30 minute cab ride, or an hour+ train affair. I remember the old days when there was more than one immigration office in Kanto.
2.5 hours? Impressive. I'm about a 30 minute cab ride, or an hour+ train affair. I remember the old days when there was more than one immigration office in Kanto.
I got a little bit lost in the middle of the forum, but I just want to say,
I have a friend who is VERY rich... um yes , and she lives in a country that is a little unsteady (might be war coming up in the future? who knows)
anyways both of her parents went to school in Japan and also her grandparents, so they have a lot of connections both through the yakuzas and the polices,
I once asked her how to "buy" a citizenship in Japan, she asked her parents and told me that
if you investigate about 300000000(san oku) yen (I am not sure where but i think something like a company or like a big JApanese business),
The Japanese government will give you a citizenship.
This is what I heard from her and consider how long I have known her + I know her family business (it global and very famous) I think it is highly possible that it works
but you probably need the connection to some high ranked people in the government? this I am not sure.
Also, haha I know another person who is a great artist, very famous, too
He got several citizenship (including Japan, for free) because every country want him to draw in their country. I guess that is another way
probably talk to a lawyer will be the best way too!
I have a friend who is VERY rich... um yes , and she lives in a country that is a little unsteady (might be war coming up in the future? who knows)
anyways both of her parents went to school in Japan and also her grandparents, so they have a lot of connections both through the yakuzas and the polices,
I once asked her how to "buy" a citizenship in Japan, she asked her parents and told me that
if you investigate about 300000000(san oku) yen (I am not sure where but i think something like a company or like a big JApanese business),
The Japanese government will give you a citizenship.
This is what I heard from her and consider how long I have known her + I know her family business (it global and very famous) I think it is highly possible that it works
but you probably need the connection to some high ranked people in the government? this I am not sure.
Also, haha I know another person who is a great artist, very famous, too
He got several citizenship (including Japan, for free) because every country want him to draw in their country. I guess that is another way
probably talk to a lawyer will be the best way too!
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- 20 Aug 2003
- 4,910
- 416
That's roughly $3million U.S. right now. Might be nice to have that much money lying around, but who does, especially in countries that are... uh...unstable?
Don't even try bribing the government for citizenship. Trust me.
BTW, who is the artist you mentioned? I find it highly unlikely that a government would just GIVE someone citizenship because of their talents. Besides, Japan doesn't recognize multi-citizenship, so you are either confused or there is something we don't know.
Don't even try bribing the government for citizenship. Trust me.
BTW, who is the artist you mentioned? I find it highly unlikely that a government would just GIVE someone citizenship because of their talents. Besides, Japan doesn't recognize multi-citizenship, so you are either confused or there is something we don't know.
epigene
相変わらず不束者です
- 10 Nov 2004
- 4,354
- 179
Yes, I was thinking the same thing!
well, as hard to believe as you all may think, there ARE people who are rich who live in countries that have weak government... not all rich people are Americans. But I have to say there r ways for the really rich people to get whatever they want..
anyways, the artist's citizenship, Im not sure if it is citizenship or like a forever visa thing. Hes a buddist painter.
There is a visa thou for artists, singers, jobs like that to obtain their stays in Japan for a very long time for their inspiration.
All the examples Im telling now are very exstream examples, but Im just saying if you are rich like that... Afterall Im not one of them so I cant provide any proves or anything, just take it as urban myths then : )
anyways, the artist's citizenship, Im not sure if it is citizenship or like a forever visa thing. Hes a buddist painter.
There is a visa thou for artists, singers, jobs like that to obtain their stays in Japan for a very long time for their inspiration.
All the examples Im telling now are very exstream examples, but Im just saying if you are rich like that... Afterall Im not one of them so I cant provide any proves or anything, just take it as urban myths then : )
investigate=>invest
The yakuza and police story is interesting, but I assume her father set up an office or a subsidiary at the center of Tokyo, kept his company profitable, waited for years designated by the law, and finally applied to permanent resident visa/naturalization.
I read newspaper that the newest trend of those rich Chinese couples in Japan is that one becomes naturalized in Japan, but the spouse keeps his/her Chinese passport.
Not sure if this would help, but a new working holiday visa scheme with Hong Kong was announce, though I don't know how soon it will be effective.
I read somewhere that the WHV schemes with Taiwan and Italy are also in preparation.
