Going to Japan in April 2006

[jkrobs]

Hi there, In April..I will be going to Japan to study Japanese and to live with my Japanese fiance. I have some questions, I have been to Japan before around 6 times and only stayed around 1 month each time..I know It's possible to stay there for 90days without visa..Basically this time, Im going there..but Not sure how long for, I want to work and live out there..But Im not sure hows things will work out. First Im going to be living in Osaka and studying at I-seifu College. ( Please tell me if this college is good or not ) Im going to be studying there for 3 month in intensive course. Then I hope to find some work teaching. Anyway, I wanna ask..I will be buying a single ticket only, not return..Becouse Im not sure how long I will be staying out there and what will happen. So can I ask..Will I get questioned why I don't have return ticket? thanks Please reply to this message!:-)

[ArmandV]

I would recommend getting a student visa for the longest allowable time. If you decide to leave earlier, you can. You should also see about a work visa as well. I don't know if a student visa has provisions for working included.

[Mandylion]

Contact the consulate or embassy in your area. They can best field all your visa questions. Tell them what you want to do and tell them you want to be sure you do it legally. Be ready to wait for a response, but in my experience they will get back to you. That is what the visa section is for - in part at least - answering visa questions.

As for the questions about your ticket, if you are on anything less than a spouse visa of course it looks suspicious - 100% so if you just have a tourist visa. Tourists go home in the end, you won't fit the pattern, you will look suspicious.

Why not buy a round trip ticket (they are usually less expensive anyway) and then not use half of it? There is nothing to stop you from not using it and the airline will find a warm body to take your spot anyway.

[m477]

You probably want to get a student visa if possible. Also, you can apply for a practical training visa.

I've known a few other people that have just been there studying or whatever for awhile on tourist vistas, and just leave the country every once in awhile and go to Korea or something just to renew the tourist visa. Honestly, Japanese immigration seems to be really lax about that sort of thing as long as you're white. However, I wouldn't push my luck.

[budd]

not getting a return ticket is trouble (i heard) at immigration, not to mention getting out of the original country

[cyberryo]

I hope you are not trying to beat the system as it is illegal to stay in Japan beyond the visa period. Japanese immigration will have that record in the system the next time you try to enter Japan again. I have heard cases before.

It is better to follow the advice above. Enter Japan with a round trip ticket or you may be asked a lot of questions at immigration. If you manage to secure a student visa or a working visa before the end of your 3-month language stint, then it is ok. Previously, we need to have a Japanese to be our guarantor to secure our student visa. Not sure about now. If your visa should expire before the next visa is approved, then that trip to another country and back into Japan will come in necessary. Take it as a self-granted holiday.

If as you say you are going to Japan to be with your Japanese fiance, I assume that she wants to stay in Japan. Then, if she really wants you, you can both tie the knot and apply for residence permit.

Ken

[budd]

i agree completely, but if he get divorced though
attending college in Japan (while married) is trouble imo

[cyberryo]

Budd, I agree too. Getting divorced is a problem in any circumstance. Marriage is the last option. They would have to think very carefully, and not made a hasty decision in the current situation. If he wants to remain in Japan, I think the main option is to get into a school or a job while he has a visa open. That way, he keeps his options open, and get into any legal problems he may regret later.
Ken

[jkrobs]

Hi guys, Ive not replied in a while..sorry about that. Well Ive not got a return ticket instead of a single....but Im not going there for just less than 5 months. I head it's now possible to go there for 6 months..and it used to be 90 days. so I should be ok. But I head I need to see the embassy and get my passport signed for a extra 90 days ..is that right?

[jkrobs]

opps sorry.. I meant I NOW have got a return ticket instead of a single ticket. sorry about that