VISA Question

[Taka-Okami]

I married to a Japanese in 2001 (and got a spouse visa straight after) and lived in Japan on a spouse visa until 2004, (I think in the mean time I had renewed to a 3 year spouse after the initial 1 year spouse visa). I did do one reentry in the spouse visa, but its expired now, and I have just visited on the normal tourist visas for the past 5 years. I'm planning on a come back and thinking about getting PR ASAP. Would the immigration dudes consider my previous 'history' or would they say I've got to start all over again!?

[Mulboyne]

...Would the immigration dudes consider my previous 'history' or would they say I've got to start all over again!?

You'll have to start again.

[Taro Toporific]

...Would the immigration dudes consider my previous 'history' or would they say I've got to start all over again!?

You'll have to start again.

As Mulboyne said, you'll have to start again.

However, if you are of Japanese ancestry things always go faster (as does having Japanese kids). [color="Gray"] Sometimes the phase-of-the-moon folks at Immigration will be lenient with FGs of Japanese ancestry. Japan is crawling with fake Japanese-ancestry gaijin from South America where birth certificates (often bogus baptism certificates) with Japanese names are easily obtained. [/color]

[Taka-Okami]

Thanks.

I have 2 Japanese kids, how will that help?

[gomichild]

Thanks.

I have 2 Japanese kids, how will that help?

For PR there are 3 really good things to have (even one is a help) - Japanese spouse, half Japanese kids and having lived in the country for about 10 years. Shows you are invested in the country.

[Taka-Okami]

For PR there are 3 really good things to have (even one is a help) - Japanese spouse, half Japanese kids and having lived in the country for about 10 years. Shows you are invested in the country.

But are you aware of how having 2 of those things will help - time wise? There must a precedent set somwhere.

[gomichild]

But are you aware of how having 2 of those things will help - time wise? There must a precedent set somwhere.

HAHAHAHAHA! This is Immigration you are talking about! PR is expected to take 6 months to get generally speaking - one of the Magic 3 will help you to get it - not get it faster.

[Greji]

But are you aware of how having 2 of those things will help - time wise? There must a precedent set somwhere.

There is no actual time limit. The the so-called "ten year rule" is a general statement as compared to a law or requirement.

If you have a J-wife and also children, it tends to show that you have a reason for being in Japan and having a family and, of course, a job, will indicate a permanent situation as compared to Joe Blow who just came over on a visa waiver.

Some cases can be processed very fast. I got a PR in Three and a half years and I know other people that have done as fast or faster. It depends on how well your situation can be shown as a long term investment for the country. I was employed by the J-government so had an unfair edge, but it just depends on the picture you can paint for the immigrations evaluators.

[Mock Cockpit]

Go in and have a chat with them about it. Everyone has a different story to tell about PR. I agree with the others that'll probably take a couple more spouse visas before they'll consider you but you never know. As capricious as the cunts can be at times they can also be surprisingly accommodating.