Immigration won't give me an answer

[stuckinkysuhu]

I went to immigration hoping to find out what to do but they coldly told me to decide by myself and that they couldn't help me so I thought maybe you guys could.

I'm at the end of a student visa, but there are still some things I need to do. I happen to be leaving the country for a week, so I was thinking I'd give up my gaijin card and all and then come back on a tourist visa in a week. My reasons are I have a graduation ceremony and a company ceremony for the job I'll be starting in April. I have a ticket leaving Japan in October and documentation from my school and company. Armed with all this, do you think they'd grant me the visa? Immigration said "probably" but sort of implied it wasn't their problem if something went wrong.

Anyone tried something like this? I'd appreciate any input.

[omae mona]

I'd love to try to help but I am totally confused about what your situation is. When does your visa expire? Is your school in Japan or overseas? Is your future employer in Japan or overseas? When you come back, how long are you planning to stay? Do you have a re-entry permit?

Sorry if these are stupid questions - I re-read your post a few times and still can't figure it out. That beer might be having a bigger effect than I thought.

[GomiGirl]

Let me give this a go.

1. You are finished your study
2. You are going on holidays soon
3. You want to return for a short time to go to graduation etc
4. You are going to start a job in April and have sponsorship
5. You are waiting for the Certificate of Eligibility for a working visa from your new job staring in April.

My question is:
What will you do and where will you be between now and April?

If the answer is: "I will be out of Japan between the graduation ceremony and April" then I would come back on a tourist visa and have a ticket booked for out of Japan to show that you intend to leave within the 90 day tourist visa limit.

Then go off on your travels or head home and await your CofE and get it validated outside Japan and then return on a working visa.

If the answer is: "I intend to hang out in Japan and live and play and then start my job in April" then you need to consider your options carefully.

Do not overstay your current visa.
Do not try to work on a tourist visa.
Do not take off every 90days to renew tourist visa.

They are cracking down and it will only affect your working visa status.

[homesweethome]

I would interpret this a little differently. Since you have been obviously working on a student visa (which is not illegal) and plan to graduate and begin working for the same employer full time, (if you aren't already I would be surprised) and would like a little vacation time from now until you return to your career, I would say get a re-entry permit and come back then change your student visa to a working visa in country, or at least try, if they will let you do that. If they say no you will have to leave the country for a day or so to get your working visa, but it just gives you an excuse to take a couple of days off from the office. No harm done, except employers hate visa trouble unless they know the score which I get the feeling yours does.