Visa trick

Stets · 7 May 2004

Hi,

I'm making an effort to go to a language school in Tokyo, from August or September. The school runs in 3 month terms, and they say that if you want to take more than 1 term (on a temporary visitor visa--they don't offer pre-college visas) you can go to Korea for a day or weekend or so and come back and get a brand new visa--lasting for another 3 months. They also say you can do this 2 or 3 times.

I'm preparing for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (日本語能力試験) Level 1, because I'm interested in entering a Japanese junior college or university; I'd like to stay there for as long as possible--for the best preparation. I know it'd be best to do a pre-college student visa, but due to certain personal matters I would need to leave before september and most pre-college visa courses start in january or april (plus there tends to be a weighty application process).

What I'm wondering is--has anybody tried this? And how well does it work? I don't want to be expecting to be able to come back and end up getting turned away. If you've tried or know somebody who has, please tell me about how it all worked out.

Haha, their wording "two or three" kinda bugs me, but I guess it's worth a try either way.

Thanks,
Stets.

p.s. I'm a US citizen, living in the US. Also, sorry for the length, I tried to embolden the main points.

jolan · 8 May 2004

The Korea trick is known for long by the japanese gov. It would work again 7 years ago, but now, control is very strict. I did Pusan Shimonoseki by boat, and the custom control I received in Shimonoseki was maybe the most strict control ever. My advice is that you should get a working or a student visa, or even a working Holiday Visa, which is easier.

Maciamo · 8 May 2004

I heard of people who successfully went to Korea or Hong Kong for a few days then got a new visa. One time should be ok, but 2 or 3 times is a matter of luck. The best advice is maybe to look presentable (wearing a suit, being well-shaved, etc. for men). Ideally you should not go just before your visa expires because it looks more suspicious.

There is however the risk of being sent from where you are coming (eg. Korea) or to your country on the first plane at your own expenses. Imagine that in busy holiday periods (golden week...) that could mean that the first flight available is 3 days later and that you will have to stay at the immigration custody (sleeping on the floor ?) during all that time. I certainly wouldn't recommend to risk that.

You could try and get and "Cultural Visa" (the one everybody forgets about), which is available to anybody studying something related to Japanese culture(language included I suppose). This is a one-year visa and permits you to work up to 20 hours/week.

For more info, check our Visa FAQ

Golgo_13 · 8 May 2004

Working Holiday visas are not issued to Americans, so you'll need a student visa.

chrispizza · 10 May 2004

Stets,
As mentioned above, working holiday visas are not available for Americans, because the US will not offer a reciprocal agreement. The tourist visa trick is a bad gamble at best. Why doesn't the school offer you a visa? I would stay away from any place like that. Are you in college now? Your international office probably has tons of schools that offer exchange programs.
When you arrive, are you set up to stay some where? Your best bet could be to come over on a tourist visa, find a martial arts dojo (they are everywhere), and ask them to sponsor you on a cultural visa. They are for only 6 months (not 1 year), and can be renewed 3 times for a total of 18 months. You would need to leave the country for at least a day to switch your visa though.

-Chris

duff_o_josh · 11 May 2004

you could get a tourist visa for three months before you course starts, then when you get there apply for the pre college one. if that makes any sense at all lol

Maciamo · 11 May 2004

duff_o_josh said:
you could get a tourist visa for three months before you course starts, then when you get there apply for the pre college one. if that makes any sense at all lol

No, you can very well, start teh course on the "tourist" (actually "short-term visitor") visa, and change apply for it from that time. Anyhow, I wouldn't recommend the student visa because it takes a long time to get (I was told 6 months if people apply outside Japan), it is expensive (you must pay the course for the whole duration of the visa in a recognised institution, which usually charge something like 600.000+ yen a year for a 15h/week course), and it has more restriction than other visas (single re-entry visa, can be lost if you don't attend enough hours at school, and the pre-college doesn't permit to work at all).

Stets · 11 May 2004

Wow, I looked at some books at the bookstore this weekend and they had the same tip in them, with the same wording--"2 or 3 times." But I think I trust you guys well more than some books.

I would most likely be dressed in a suit, if only for fasion's sake .

The reason the school doesn't offer me a pre-college visa is because I'll be taking less than 15-20 hours of class a week. I'm interested in those courses, but I don't really want to be that tied down; I'm going there to visit my friends and see the country too--I plan to spend a couple weeks going to Miyazaki, a bit in Kyoto/Osaka, a bit in Nagoya, just putting around sleeping on people's couches and what not. It's also very expensive--in the worst way, lump sum.

I read about the cultural visa before, but I couldn't find any more information on it. Is there a certain number of hours a week you have to be active in the 'cultural activity?' About how much do martial arts classes cost there? Is it difficult to get the place to actually sponsor you (also said: how much running around do they have to do)?

Thanks for all your help everybody!!
Stets.

Elizabeth · 20 Jun 2004

Isn't the pre-college student visa (actually what I'm interested in obtaining as well....) what the category of cultural visa was changed into ?

DoctorP · 20 Jun 2004

the "trick" that you refered to does work. I have a good friend that has done that for years. Another location to consider is Guam. Being that you are from the US, going to Guam is essentially going "home". That is what he does.

Ewok85 · 20 Jun 2004

Martial Arts courses generally dont cost anything. Do shorinji kempo, theres over 3000 dojo's in Japan and I can garantee you wont pay (outside of getting a uniform and $20 membership/insurance). Its good fun

playaa · 20 Jun 2004

Yeah, that is an interesting piece of information, about the study visa. But what I dont understand is sure its not mentioned much and people forget about it.. But I would think it would still be pretty hard to recieve as if it was so easy, why wouldn't everyone go that route? Everything has quirks and kinks, but maybe it is the route for you wont hurt to try.

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