Five Year Visas And Easier Re-Entry For Foreigners

[Mulboyne]

Bloomberg: Japan to Extend Visa Limit to Five Years From Three, NHK Says
Japan plans to extend long-term visa permits to five years from the current three when it changes the registration system for foreigners living in Japan, public broadcaster NHK reported. The Justice Ministry also plans to simplify the re-entry process for returning foreign residents, NHK reported on its English-language Web site, without saying where it obtained the information. The government plans a new registration system for foreign residents that requires them to report a change of address to local government offices and requires schools and organizations that sponsor foreigners to update their information. Legislation for the changes is expected by the end of March to be submitted to parliament next year, NHK said.

[ttjereth]

Bloomberg: Japan to Extend Visa Limit to Five Years From Three, NHK Says
Japan plans to extend long-term visa permits to five years from the current three when it changes the registration system for foreigners living in Japan, public broadcaster NHK reported. The Justice Ministry also plans to simplify the re-entry process for returning foreign residents, NHK reported on its English-language Web site, without saying where it obtained the information. The government plans a new registration system for foreign residents that requires them to report a change of address to local government offices and requires schools and organizations that sponsor foreigners to update their information. Legislation for the changes is expected by the end of March to be submitted to parliament next year, NHK said.

I really, really hope "simpler re-entry" means no more re-entry permit renewals every three years...

Also, I have the feeling this thread will soon be taken way off topic with a lot of "re-entry" jokes.

[amdg]

I really, really hope "simpler re-entry" means no more re-entry permit renewals every three years... .

How about every 5 years?

[ttjereth]

How about every 5 years?

Better than three, but never is even better. Now that I have PR that would mean I'd more or less never have to set foot in shinagawa again

[FG Lurker]

I really, really hope "simpler re-entry" means no more re-entry permit renewals every three years...

Although you think you want this, you probably don't.

Right now if you have permanent residence in Japan you can maintain that as long as you return here at least once every 3 years to renew your re-entry permit. So if your company transfers you overseas for a couple of years (or even 6 months) you don't lose your visa. Likewise if you need to go home for awhile everything is fine.

If they remove the re-entry permit system I bet they will implement a system similar to what is in use in many countries (Canada, for example): If you are out of the country for more than half of any calendar year you lose your permanent residence status.

[Gilligan]

The government plans a new registration system for foreign residents that requires them to report a change of address to local government offices

Umm, I thought we already were required to report a change of address to local government officials. Is this not the case?

[kusai Jijii]

This thread reminds me of the excellent adventure I had last month lugging my fat arse through three prefectures to arrive down at the new Immigration Center in Nanko. After rocking up at Temmabashi, only to find out that they had "moved", I hauled my way out to Nanko to get a new re-entry permit.
"Why do you need a re-entry permit?" asked the dude on the first counter.
"I give up. Why DO I need a re-entry permit?" was my reply.
And the worst part of the story is, I got off the train in Umeda on the way home hoping desperately to locate Noriko the Whore, but to no avail.
Shiiiittttt.

[halfnip]

Better than three, but never is even better. Now that I have PR that would mean I'd more or less never have to set foot in shinagawa again

Why, you don't like immigration out there? It makes me feel like I'm back in Thailand or Wanchai. I looooooooooove it.

[Greji]

Why, you don't like immigration out there? It makes me feel like I'm back in Thailand or Wanchai. I looooooooooove it.

Not now HN, we're trying to find out if he scored Noriko....

[amdg]

Umm, I thought we already were required to report a change of address to local government officials. Is this not the case?

Yeah, but now if you don't report it it's not fatal to your visa. I guess under the nice new system it will be fatal to your visa?