Visa validity while out of Japan

[Tengu Kid]

Hi folks.
I have a three year visa, two years left on it.
If I return home for a year can I still return to Japan for a year, or does the visa expire if you stay out of the country for too long?
Cheers.

[Greji]

Hi folks.
I have a three year visa, two years left on it.
If I return home for a year can I still return to Japan for a year, or does the visa expire if you stay out of the country for too long?
Cheers.

The Re-entry permit is the key:

".....XII. Extension of Re-entry Permit

A foreigner who has departed from Japan with a re-entry permit and is unable to return to Japan before the end of the re-entry permit's period of validity for an unavoidable reason, such as illness, travel interruption, or continuation of studies, can apply at an embassy or consulate for an extension of the re-entry permit's period of validity by submitting documents detailing the reason.

The period of validity of a re-entry permit can be extended for up to one year, as long as it does not exceed four years (five years for special permanent residents) from the date when the original re entry permit came into effect. However, the period of a re-entry permit cannot be extended beyond the period of stay granted before departure from Japan. For further information, please inquire at your nearest Japanese diplomatic establishment...."

***You can find most of the visa info you need here at the MOFA..... to include telephone numbers.

[Tengu Kid]

Awesome. Cheers Greji

[halfnip]

[FG Lurker]

If at all possible you should get permanent residence before you leave Japan. Once you have that you can keep it as long as you come back here once every 3 years to renew your re-entry permit.

Unfortunately I don't have an answer to your exact question though...

[halfnip]

Thanks, Lurker. I'll be outta here in a little over a month, so I don't think that gives me enough time... Do they require you to send in your passport or do you just have to bring it in once things go through?

[wuchan]

on my last renewal, spouse, they wanted my japan tax records and employment records to show that I am working and that I'm not going to be a drain on the system. The only other way that I could think of would be if your spouse was still here and making enough money to cover everyone in the family(including you). The problem for you is that the visa office holds your passport until everything is approved so you have to stay in japan for a unknown amount of time.

[Greji]

The problem for you is that the visa office holds your passport until everything is approved so you have to stay in japan for a unknown amount of time.

When you say "visa office", what do you mean? I have PR, but back when I had visas, I never had anyone "hold my passport"! They legally cannot do that as the passport is the property of the issuing Government. I assume you're talking about a servicing company doing your processing for you.

[wuchan]

The visa office at saitamashintoshin holds your passport while they are processing everyting. I didn't think much of it at the time but looking back it did seem strange.

[Greji]

The visa office at saitamashintoshin holds your passport while they are processing everyting. I didn't think much of it at the time but looking back it did seem strange.

Probably for their convenience. Although they cannot do that legally, it probably would save some time when you go to pick it up the visa as it is already updated and you just pick up the passport.