J-immigration rules!

[Taro Toporific]

Justice Ministry scoffs at clearer immigration rules
Asahi Shimbun, Japan - 23 Oct 2003ustice Ministry bureaucrats nearly drove Yoshihiko Miyauchi, leader of the Council for Regulatory Reform, to distraction as he attempted to get straight answers Wednesday at a meeting addressing foreign residency requirements.
When ministry officials had dodged one question too many, Miyauchi finally snapped, berating the bureaucrats, ``These vague answers-this same old politics-just won't cut it.''
A heated discussion ensued with the bureaucrats blithering away, attempting to defend their infamous ``case-by-case, we make up the rules as we go along'' way .... Under current immigration law, there are only three general conditions that an applicant must meet to obtain permanent residency: good behavior, funds or technical skills to sustain independence, and that the applicant meets Japan's interests.
The absolute vagueness of the requirements means simply that the Justice Ministry can do whatever it pleases.

[Big Booger]

[Robato]

kinda off topic...Im going back to Japan on Thurs...

I am getting married on Nov 24th, however we are going to do the legal paperwork stuff next week....so we will be legally married.

The problem is that I am going there on just a tourist visit visa deal...you know, just flying there. I did not tell Japan that I am getting married and we didnt apply for a fiance visa, marriage visa or anything of the sort.

We decided to get married in Japan because she can get her greencard in a matter or weeks from the tokyo embassy rather than waiting 3 years in the States.....but!!! I want to stay there for about 4-6 months....however, I cant because I will only have the tourist visa which lasts for only 3 months.

How do I go about staying there longer with having to fly back to the US and without breaking any laws? Is there a marriage visa that I can get while I am still in Japan?

[Steve Bildermann]

As long as you have a departure air ticket and sufficient funds to cover your stay you can get a one time extention to the tourist visa you will receive on entry (90 days)

If you want to you *could* get married, register the marriage, do all the paperwork, apply for and receive a spouse visa all in the first few weeks of your tourist visa. You would then probably get a one year spouse visa without having to leave the country.