Q about arrive to Japan

[chicamorada]

Hello everybody,
I'm currently married to a Japanese national (she is Peruvian, I'm Australian), but she has lived in Japan for 13 years) We are currently living in Peru and I'm going back to Australia. Since flights are so expensive to go directly to Australia from Peru $(2500+) I'm thinking about flying to Japan. I then thought about working with my old boss for a few months before I go back to Australia. Would I be allowed to enter Japan on a one-way ticket and work without her being with me? I know that I'll have to apply for a visa first, but she told me that I wouldn't be able to get the visa without her being there in Japan with me. Would anyone be able to give me some info?

 

[Glenski]

You are going to need a work visa or a spouse visa. If you don't have the latter, the former is absolutely required. You won't likely be allowed (by the airline) to enter the country on a 1-way ticket unless you have the assurance that you are hired and have the work visa in process (or the spouse visa in hand).

How will you apply for the work visa? You can enter on a round-trip ticket as a tourist, get hired, then file for the work visa without having to leave the country again?

She is wrong about needing to be here if you get a work visa. For a spouse visa, you will need some of her family register info.

 

[chicamorada]

Thanks Glenski for all of your help
The information that you sent me clarified many things for me.
It might be better to apply for the Japanese visa here in Lima as there are many Japanese living here in Peru, so they should be very helpful to me here. I don't think that the visa will take to long to receive as the Japanese are quite fast. Also after I receive the visa, would I have to return to Japan every 3 years to renew it, like she does? I'm glad that she doesn't have to be with me as I was mostly concerned with that more than anything, because I would like to go first and get settled in.
Thanks again for your help

 

[Glenski]

Also after I receive the visa, would I have to return to Japan every 3 years to renew it, like she does?

Wait.

She has a visa, or she is a Japanese? Which is it? (I suspect she is a Peruvian by nationality/passport, but that she has a "specified visa" for "long-term permanent resident". If so, you should confirm that you can actually get a spouse visa, or if it is a dependent visa that you need.)

If you get a work visa or spouse visa, you can leave the country, but to keep the visa status, you will have to buy a reentry permit if you plan to return to Japan under that same visa. Why would you get a work visa, then leave for almost 3 years?

Besides, work visas and spouse visas may be for 1 year or 3 years -- luck of the draw (and you are unlikely to get a 3-year spouse visa right off). Stay outside Japan for longer than that, and you invalidate the visa.

As for needing to come back to Japan to renew (the official word is "extend your status of residence), the following people are authorized to file the paperwork (however, immigration can do whatever it chooses, and may even ignore the following):
1. Applicant;
2. The following persons are authorized to submit application form on behalf of the applicant foreign national:
* A staff member of organization that is run by or employs the foreign national;
* A staff member of organization that trains or educates the foreign national; or
* A nonprofit organization authorized by the competent authorities under the Article 34 of the Civil Code for the purpose of smooth acceptance of foreign nationals;
3. A lawyer or administrative scrivener that gives notice to the director of regional immigration bureau; and
4. A legal representative of the foreign national;* or
* "Legal representative" in this context means a legal representative of an applicant who is younger than 16 years old, is always unable to make sense of his/her surroundings due to mental disorder, or significantly lacks such abilities.
5. The applicant's relative, housemate or other similar person who are regarded as appropriate by the director of regional immigration bureau (if the applicant is not able to visit the regional immigration bureau by himself/herself because of illness or other reasons).

I mentioned the caveat above because of my own experience. I needed a reentry permit. Item #5 is cited as being able to do this for me, so I called to confirm that my Japanese wife could do that. They said flat out "NO!" I would have to come in personally. Another office said she could, but only if I could prove I was sick and unable to go myself.

Your wife may not have to physically go into immigration with you, but how is she going to get her koseki (family register)?

 

[chicamorada]

Hello Glenski,

Thank you for all of your help.

She was born in Peru. Her grandfather is Japanese, so she was able to enter Japan and work for 13 years. She hadn't applied for the PR while she was living in Japan, so she only has a Peruvian passport.

I could get sponsored easily, but I don't have a degree, so this idea is impossible for me.

Her sister is working in Japan in immigration, so she has been looking into things for us.

Thanks for your help