Re-entry time

[pika la]

Okay, so in Japan you can stay for 90 days without a VISA right?
Then after that you have to leave the country... How long do you have to stay out of Japan before you can re-enter for another 90 days?

I looked on the embassy's website and I couldn't think of anywhere else. Anyways, it didn't say, so I've resorted to asking you guys hoping someone will know. =)

Thanks.

 

[GaijinPunch]

You can come back the next day. Maybe even same day.

 

[pika la]

Really? That's great!! I guess I really will be moving there in April then~~
Thanks for the info muchly.

 

[Mikawa Ossan]

I think Gaijin Punch is very much correct, but think about how this must look to the immigration official processing your passport. It seems to me that Japan has been tightening the screws so to speak in terms of immigration. You can most likely do this, but if you try more than once (and even on the first time) don't be surprised if they give you a hard time.

Why not try to obtain a proper visa so you don't have to worry about this any more?

 

[pika la]

Yea I understand that... ^^; It shoudl be okay though.

Oh.. there's no type of VISA that I could find that I could even get. If you know of one, that would be great. Since I'm only 17, and going there alone... I can't get most types of VISA other than a student VISA.. but I won't be studying there so... It's been so troublesome.

 

[Ewok85]

If you study Japanese then you kill 2 birds with one stone - qualify for a visa and get to learn the language.

 

[pika la]

I already study the language. Do you mean if I go to a language school there?

 

[yukio_michael]

One note of caution--- I've stayed for a period of 180 days, on two seperate tourist visas, while there I've tried unsucessfully to understand the complicated visa situation--- it may be less complicated, but from phoning numerous embasies, consulate, etc, the answers I've recieved were curt and inefectual--- I've gotten no help from the ogainizations who could most help me---

Recently, I took a trip to the United States for a week, and went back to live in Japan for another 3 months--- unfortunately, I was denied entry, because they didn't feel I had a valid reason to be there---

Believe me, you DEFINITELY need a plan, I learned this AFTER I got there, the hard way, and from the fine people posting on this board, who were MORESO informative and helpfull than the institutions I phoned regarding visa information--- recently I spoke to the sister of my Japanese girlfriend who told me not to even bother with speaking to Immigration, as frankly, they wont help, and don't care.

Good luck--- you can do the visa run ONCE, but unless you have a good history of what you've been doing IN Japan, read, documentation of your attempt to get a different visa, etc etc, Immigration my disavow you entry (and probably will do so), thereafter.

 

[nice gaijin]

pika la, you say you're 17 and moving to Japan on your own, but not to study. Whatever are you going for?

 

[pika la]

I'm going to stay with my boyfriend, and practise Japanese. I couldn't get a student VISA to go to highschool.. but I do all my courses online so I'll just continue with that from there too...

Yea, I need a plan, but I don't know what to do ><

 

[Mike Cash]

What you need to do is realize that a minor child moving to a foreign country, with very iffy visa status, to live with a boyfriend is not really a very wise idea.

 

[pika la]

It actually is a good idea. I just need a VISA excuse for one year.

 

[Ewok85]

Do an approved course in Japan and study, you'd then qualify for a student visa which will give you a year in Japan.

You can only get away with leaving the country and re-entering several times, if that, unless you have a valid reason to be doing that rather than having a proper visa. Immigration arent stupid, your visa says outright "look at me! i've been here on a 90 day TOURIST visa, left yesterday, now I'm back again!", they aren't obliged to let you enter the country, they can tell you to go away and quite fairly. You need to be prepared incase something like this happens.....

Edit: out of interest, how is it a good idea rather that just an idea?

 

[Elizabeth]

Do an approved course in Japan and study, you'd then qualify for a student visa which will give you a year in Japan.

It's simply a no win situation for someone in their last year of high school who has taken most courses online. If pika la isn't intending to enroll in a Japanese uni, won't most language schools require at least a college degree for one year of study ? Pika, I hope your boyfriend is prepared to support you in any confrontation you may have with immigration. Otherwise I suggest staying on a passport only (isn't that possible from Canada? you can from the US for up to 90 days) and returning home between visits.

 

[Mike Cash]

I hope her boyfriend is prepared to explain to Immigration why he is harboring a foreign minor with dubious visa status. I also hope her boyfriend is a person she has actually met before. And that her parents know about this and have given it their blessing.

 

[pika la]

Ewok85: True... I'm still gonna try to find a way so that I won't have to even attempt this "re-entering scheme". Why a good idea? *see below*

Elizabeth: Indeed it's proving difficult. Actually, there must be a way to go to a Japanese Language school for me. I went to one in the Summer for a month while I was there... and I was 16 then. Do you think I could get a VISA through that school and go there? He, boyfriend, is of course prepared to help me through anything~~ ^^

Mike Cash: Don't worry, we've met. We've been dating 2 years and have lived together for about 5 months when he was still in Canada. We BOTH have my parent's blessing~~~ Hehe. He's honestly the most supportive, mentally strong, protective, opptimistic person I've ever met lol.

Hm... I shall continue to think of ideas.

 

[Mike Cash]

Alright, next question....

What is his visa status in Japan? (Or is he a Japanese citizen?)

 

[pika la]

Yup, he's a Japanese Citizen.

 

[Mike Cash]

Since he's a Japanese citizen, the quick-n-easy short answer is:

Get married.

 

[pika la]

Wouldn't that be ideal!
But I'm only 17, ne?

 

[Mike Cash]

Wouldn't that be ideal!
But I'm only 17, ne?

Well, that was also my reservation about going to a foreign country and cohabiting with your boyfriend. But your parents are okay with it. You're acting like married people so what's the big deal about taking the next logical step? (And solving visa problems into the bargain)

 

[Mikawa Ossan]

I agree with Mike Cash. If you're so sure about this guy and your parents give their blessings, then why not?

Assuming that he is at least 18, I think the legal minimum age for boys in Japan in to get married. Don't worry, as far as Japanese law is concerned, as a girl you only have to be 16.

It may seem like a good idea now, maybe. But just wait.