Another Visa question

[akatsuka]

Sorry I bet everyone is getting real bored with visa questions

Basically I've found a sponsor in Japan and my application for a working visa is being processed. (Artist/Cultural activities) They told my sponsor that it will take up to 2 months. That was 2 months ago.

Seeing as I have another option that could lead me to Japan quicker (but less long-term and less desirable) I'm wondering on if I should wait or just go. This option also has more risks than I wanted to take (nothing illegal..promise:cool: ). However, this option will disappear soon if I don't take it up.

Therefore, I was wondering on the average success rate for foreigners and visa applications.

Is it only a matter of days/weeks or could I end up waiting til the opportunity
disappears? I'm getting impatient.

I've tried calling the embassy but they can't help. The Immigration Bureau only speaks to my sponsor. I dont have a legal representative or visa solicitor.

[Charles]

Therefore, I was wondering on the average success rate for foreigners and visa applications.

The success rate is equal to e^pi*cos(m^2+n^3)

[akatsuka]

The success rate is equal to e^pi*cos(m^2+n^3)

for my little brain this is a little too complicated... haha
I was thinking something more like 50/50 or higher/lower etc

I know it all depends on the situation etc, but have people here ever applied for a visa and not recieved it? If its not too personal, may I ask why? (I need to sort my chances out before I dismiss anything and go for the other option)

thanks

[Taro Toporific]

...a working visa is being processed. (Artist/Cultural activities)...
... it all depends on the situation etc, but have people here ever applied for a visa and not received it?

I have applied for Artist/Cultural visa and it took 7 months in total (Immigration claimed to have lost my application at the 6 month point and I had to reapply).
It all depends on your Artist/Cultural sponsor---If it is the first time for your sponsor, nobody at Immigration wants to be responsible for approving it and your application keeps being handed off to different Immigration officials where each time it again goes to the bottom of the pile. I have a buddy who has been waiting 10+ months for an Entertainer visa because his modeling agency has never sponsored a gaijin before.

Immigration is hoping you die or become bored with getting Artist/Cultural visa (or like my model friend, your sponsor may be using the Immigration "delay" as as a non-confrontational way to ignore you).

BOTTOM LINE:

[kusai Jijii]

Sorry to sound like a cunt, but (unless I have misunderstood your post) I think you are an idiot if you attempt to go to Japan on another visa while you have a sponored work visa currently being processed.

While I'm at it, I know this a forum and everything, but I cant really understand why so many people seem to ask visa questions to us fuckups (who repeatedly provide conflicting, confusing, and inacurate 'facts') when much more reliable information is available through the Japanese immigration department - and if need be, immigration lawyers.

Anyway, good luck.

[Charles]

for my little brain this is a little too complicated... haha
I was thinking something more like 50/50 or higher/lower etc

No figures exist. They don't release any statistics on this subject. Anything you hear would be just a guess.

[gomichild]

The success rate is equal to e^pi*cos(m^2+n^3)

It seems to depend on factors such as the moon being in the seventh house and jupiter aligning with mars.

Example: I applied for a work visa extension. Even though I had been here for about a decade it was rejected based on the contract I had. Another person with the same contract had hers approved a month earlier. This is how inconsistent they are and all you can do is be patient and if one fails then try another.

[GomiGirl]

Sorry to sound like a cunt, but (unless I have misunderstood your post) I think you are an idiot if you attempt to go to Japan on another visa while you have a sponsored work visa currently being processed.

Am going to be another cunt and agree with Jiji. Just sit tight. Japan isn't going anywhere. As soon as you try to buck the system the system will try to buck you.

While I'm at it, I know this a forum and everything, but I cant really understand why so many people seem to ask visa questions to us fuckups (who repeatedly provide conflicting, confusing, and inacurate 'facts') when much more reliable information is available through the Japanese immigration department - and if need be, immigration lawyers.

Agree 100%

[akatsuka]

Firstly, to Kusai Jijii, Gomi Girl
I completely understand your frustration and annoyance at me. I do not listen to the words said on this forum as a kind of bible - I'm am not foolish - I merely want to hear the advice and opinion of people who have been in the same or similar situation as I am now. I am not in the fortunate position where I know someone I can ask face-to-face, I am a newby if you like - in the dark with nobody to ask. Sure, I've asked the embassy etc, but they are like robots and often do not wish to speak with me about such matters as it is a matter for the immigration bureau japan - of whom I cannot speak to. My company is doing their best, but at their busiest time of year, I feel guilty about the hassle I may be causing them and wish to help too. I don't know of a immigration lawyer, but believe me, thanks to your advice, I am going to try and find one now.

I just wanted real life ACTUAL experiences from people who have lived it.

Taro Tapofic
Thanks for your comment. It is the first time both me and the company have applied so its handy for me to know that it maybe why its taking longer than they said. I know for certain it isnt my company trying to 'ignore' me.

Kusai Jijii & Gomi Girl

Sorry to sound like a cunt, but (unless I have misunderstood your post) I think you are an idiot if you attempt to go to Japan on another visa while you have a sponored work visa currently being processed.

Can you not go to Japan on a normal 90 day tourist visa whilst an application for a working visa is in place? I thought you could... I've heard many people do this anyway and change status upon arrival. If you know differently, I'd appreciate your advice.

Charles
Thats fine. Guesses are all I expect. I just want to hear this forums advice so I can make my own decisions. If you said 'It takes 66.999 days' I wouldn't take your word for it. It is only to give me an idea.

[akatsuka]

Am going to be another cunt and agree with Jiji. Just sit tight. Japan isn't going anywhere. As soon as you try to buck the system the system will try to buck you.

One thing I forgot to mention - I am a university student. This work visa was so I can gain work experience within a japanese company. If the visa takes longer to gain than the length of my summer vacation, then I can't go. This is why I need to make decisions now. Sure Japan isn't going anywhere. It will still be there next summer. But this opportunity won't.

[Mulboyne]

I feel for you. It is very frustrating to to be waiting and I'm sure you feel like you should be doing something when the truth is you'll just have to wait.

Here's the thing about an immigration lawyer or agent: they deal with visa applications of all kinds and at all times. If anyone is going to have a feel for the likely success or failure of a particular case then they will. Because they engage with immigration staff on a regular basis, they usually understand how an application should best be presented and they will also be alert to any unwritten sea change in policy. That isn't to say that all agents and lawyers are magicians because there are bound to be some who'll take your money for doing little more than you could do for yourself. If you compare it with the work an accountant does, an average one will just make sure your paperwork is in order while a good one will tell you how to save money on taxes. You get what you pay for.

It isn't obvious to me that you should have had a lawyer up front but you probably needed to have a better understanding of what your sponsor is doing. Have they sponsored visas before? If not, then Taro has already explained why immigration can take longer over applications from new sponsors. Don't forget that immigration is assessing the documentation that a sponsor provides as well as your details. You might tick all the right boxes but immigration could judge that the sponsor has fallen short. Are they doing it themselves or are they using a lawyer? That should be your point of contact.

What Gomi Girl and kusai Jijii are touching on is that a lot of visa queries on Japan forums end up following this kind of pattern:

Troubled Mind: I've got this visa situation. Anyone had this experience?

FG One: A mate of mine had that. No problem.

FG Two: Well, it could be fine, but, legally, it's a grey area so there are no guarantees.

FG One: Several friends of mine have been through this and they were all OK.

FG Three: A few years ago, I had that situation and it didn't work out but I did something else.

Troubled Mind: What else did you do?

FG Three: I got married.

FG Four: I teach English to the children of the the head of Immigration and go drinking with him once a month. I had that same situation and it worked out for me so you ought to be fine.

FG Five: According to a comment on a blog I read, you can't do if you are American but you can if you are Swedish.

FG Four: I'm American and I did it.

Japanese Guy: Unless you are blond girl with loving heart for chrysanthemum man, Japan does not want you. Remember that.

Etc etc.

From the way you have explained it, you have a cut-off date where you need to go for Plan B because you can't guarantee Plan A. You haven't explained why Plan B will definitely work, only that it is shorter-term and not as interesting. If you want certainty, then you will have to go for Plan B at the last possible moment if Plan A hasn't come to fruition. What you want to know, it seems, is how big a risk you would be taking if you let the Plan B deadline pass and waited on Plan A. If somebody tells you they know the answer to that question, don't believe them. You can, however, find out a bit more about your sponsor's track record which will be directly relevant. Another line of inquiry would be to look at whether you could resubmit your application if it was to be rejected.

[akatsuka]

Hi Mulboyne,

Thanks for your kind words. I guess it is true that I am just getting very frustrated at sitting at home waiting for something to happen. But that's all I can do. As the visa has already been submitted I don't think it is worth getting a lawyer involved now. Its too late.

The Immigration Bureau said it will only take 2 months so really it should only be a matter of time. Then again, it might be longer. I've just got to sit tight and wait with my fingers tightly crossed.

Thanks - you may not know it but you sorted my head out.