Permanent Fucked Gaijin (Residency)

[omae mona]

by law, if you wife up here, you are required to change your visa status to spousal visa.

There is such a thing as stupid lawyers who don't know the basics of the area of law they cover. I can't say for certain, but I think matsuki may have found one.

I haven't seen one iota of evidence that if you qualify for two different visas, you're required to pick one over the other, which is what that lawyer is saying. I've read much of the immigration law and all the official MOJ FAQs multiple times, in original language, over the years. Like wagyl, I'll say there is nothing to back this up in writing, and it would create weird contradictions (like PR having to switch to a spouse visa). Also, I know of countless counterexamples, though maybe all those people were accidentally breaking the law.

The best counterexample I can think of is somebody who was on a business investor visa for years, staying on it well after getting married. I know this person had interactions with immigration about a matter in which his business investor status was quite important. They were definitely aware his spouse was Japanese, and the entire process went through with no issues whatsoever. There was no insinuation that he needed to switch to a spouse visa.

It's also bizarre to think that somebody with "better" visas (e.g. PR or the nice shiny Highly Skilled Professional visa) would be required to step down to a spouse visa if they got married. And does the order matter? I was married when I got PR. But if I had gotten PR first, then gotten married, would I have lost my PR and been required to switch to a spouse visa?

On the other hand... I have heard that when applying for PR and using marriage as one of the qualifications, it's not good enough to just be married. You have to be married and on a spouse visa in order to make the jump to PR based on your marriage. I know somebody whose PR was delayed because he was long married, but not on a spouse visa. He had to switch to a spouse visa, wait a while, then apply for PR. Matsuki, is it possible this is what your lawyer is talking about? I hate to say it, but this may be a case of "you get what you pay for".

[Taro Toporific]

The best counterexample I can think of is somebody who was on a business investor visa for years, staying on it well after getting married. I know this person had interactions with immigration about a matter in which his business investor status was quite important. They were definitely aware his spouse was Japanese, and the entire process went through with no issues whatsoever. There was no insinuation that he needed to switch to a spouse visa.

I think we know the same people with that business investor visa.

Back in my old days at Hitachi, we had several engineer visa gaijin with Japanese spouses. The engineer visa paperwork Hitachi gave Immigration specifically listed their Japanese housewife as a dependent.

Now for my work with Mitsubishi, I have noticed several gaijin with Japanese spouses who claim the points-based, "Highly Skilled Foreign Professionals" visa rather than just a "pet license"/spousal visa.

But as always with Immigration, T.I.J. and Y.M.M.V.depending on the phase of the moons of Uranus.

[omae mona]

I think we know the same people with that business investor visa.

Yeah, that one

[Coligny]

..." visa rather than just a "pet license"/ visa.

.

Fuuuuuck youuuuuzee

At least I'm house trained...

[matsuki]

Now for my work with Mitsubishi, I have noticed several gaijin with Japanese spouses who claim the points-based, "Highly Skilled Foreign Professionals" visa rather than just a "pet license"/spousal visa.

Another reason why I didn't see any point in switching Visa's...it's probably not too shocking but on more than a few occasions I was asked if I married to get a Japanese visa by people who I didn't know too well (gotta love how nothing is off limits when it comes to speaking to a relatively unfamiliar FG) I would be at 10 years or so when the spousal visa hit 3 years so the end result would have been the same but without looking like I took a shortcut to anyone who cares about that shit.

Response about the MUST CHANGE TO SPOUSAL VISA claim:

日配にしなければならないというのは、個々のビザの種類によります。日配にしたら優遇されるので、大多数の方が変更します。
今回は技.人.国からの変更、自分に有利になるか不利になるかでグレーゾーンとなります。なので、理由書には婚姻を入れた次第です。

She also asked me to "sign" my name in "English Alphabet." This usually means printed, all caps, not a signature at all....and would not match any other place where there is an actual signature. I pointed this out and asked for clarification and got "サインは「Mr. BUKKKAKE AISU」がわかりやすくていいと思います。が、統一していただければ大丈夫です。" I swear...words in this language have no definable fucking meaning....

[Grumpy Gramps]

Often enough I just ask, what it is that they want; my signature or my name in ~legible romaji. Then I just go by whatever they tell me. I have long given up on this and have just accepted that I am clueless about these things. At least as clueless as my interlocutor, that is

[wagyl]

日配にしたら優遇されるので、大多数の方が変更します

Which is it love? Most people change their visa status because it is their personal preference? Or is it everyone must do so as a strict requirement? You can't have it both ways, love.
Excuse the sexist language, but I am a little tired and emotional. If your advisor had been male I would have been equally condescending and called him 'son.'

She also asked me to "sign" my name in "English Alphabet."

The correct response in that case is to note that your name comes from the Iberian peninsula and should therefore be in the Spanish Alphabet. Apart from the bit from Greek mythology, which should be in the Greek Alphabet.

[matsuki]

日配にしたら優遇されるので、大多数の方が変更します

Which is it love? Most people change their visa status because it is their personal preference? Or is it everyone must do so as a strict requirement? You can't have it both ways, love.
Excuse the sexist language, but I am a little tired and emotional. If your advisor had been male I would have been equally condescending and called him 'son.'

So much for expecting her to make sense of her previous claim and scary talk about how I was in violation of the law. So it this and that except when it's not? Got it!

She also asked me to "sign" my name in "English Alphabet."

The correct response in that case is to note that your name comes from the Iberian peninsula and should therefore be in the Spanish Alphabet. Apart from the bit from Greek mythology, which should be in the Greek Alphabet.

Often enough I just ask, what it is that they want; my signature or my name in ~legible romaji. Then I just go by whatever they tell me. I have long given up on this and have just accepted that I am clueless about these things. At least as clueless as my interlocutor, that is

...and then when you print it out in burokku retta like they ask, you get a notice in the mail saying it doesn't match your signature somewhere else.

[wagyl]

Hey, not everything is a loss. We now have a new, cute abbreviation for those on a pet visa: Nippai! I'll leave it to others to make ippai oppai jokes. Or hamster pellet jokes.

[matsuki]

I would be in favor of an Oppai visa....

[Coligny]

She also asked me to "sign" my name in "English Alphabet." This usually means printed, all caps, not a signature at all....and would not match any other place where there is an actual signature. I pointed this out and asked for clarification and got "サインは「Mr. BUKKKAKE AISU」がわかりやすくていいと思います。が、統一していただければ大丈夫です。" I swear...words in this language have no definable fucking meaning....

Woaaa... I missed that one... where are the usual holier than shit white knighting for that pidgin shitfest ?

[wangta]

日配にしたら優遇されるので、大多数の方が変更します

Which is it love? Most people change their visa status because it is their personal preference? Or is it everyone must do so as a strict requirement? You can't have it both ways, love.
Excuse the sexist language, but I am a little tired and emotional. If your advisor had been male I would have been equally condescending and called him 'son.'

So much for expecting her to make sense of her previous claim and scary talk about how I was in violation of the law. So it this and that except when it's not? Got it!

Matsuki, I did some research not long ago bout the various Immi offices and come to the conclusion that Shinagawa is the fucking worst place to apply for anything. This is based on the relatively easy treatment gaijin get at the Yokohama and Chiba branches. Cases in point - one of my mates works with someone who aint been guilty of not paying citizens' tax or health insurance. Always registers, always pays, follows Immi new laws from 2012 I think re how gaijin have to update Immi on changes in employment status - when you change your job, the new address of your employer.

Their co-worker has a lot of experence teaching Enrish in Jp, well above average gigs tho the one now aint great and guess what? He has now got 2 ONE year visas from Immi in Tokyo, Shinagawa, two yrs in a row. Pays his taxes, health insurance, has been regularly employed but no, no fucking 3 yr visa or 5 for him.

Other gaijin he knows have fallen behind on everything, pay their juminzei late and do it cause visa renewal is coming, late with health insurance, gaps in working history - their reward is 3 or 5 yr visas from Yokohama and Chiba Immi offices respectively. I've heard of similar shit from other people. And about PR, most fucking significant is that Chiba hands em out to people like Tokyo Sam or Tkyosam as he calls himself.

An obsese yank from youtube, got fired from a number of jobs so his work record aint stellar, aint doing much Engrish teaching cause youtube is more important apparently, and he got PR. Yep. I don't care if the fattard had a guarantor, had lived in Jp for over 8 yrs etc, can speak and write Jp, the only skills he has - he has got fired from jobs, drifted from often part time job to part time job, gaps in the resume, and yet he got PR with no problems. From Chiba Immi.

Shingawa Immi are cunts and should be avoided.

[matsuki]

She also asked me to "sign" my name in "English Alphabet." This usually means printed, all caps, not a signature at all....and would not match any other place where there is an actual signature. I pointed this out and asked for clarification and got "サインは「Mr. BUKKKAKE AISU」がわかりやすくていいと思います。が、統一していただければ大丈夫です。" I swear...words in this language have no definable fucking meaning....

Woaaa... I missed that one... where are the usual holier than shit white knighting for that pidgin shitfest ?

I don't think there is any defense for that clusterfuck. If you PRINT your name, the person accepting it may be satisfied but later on when gets to life hatin' Tanaka in the back, it's not going to match with any of your other documents where there is a legit signature. (and this is all besides the fact my name was printed in Arial, in all caps, on the form right by the signature/hanko area already....)

日配にしたら優遇されるので、大多数の方が変更します

Which is it love? Most people change their visa status because it is their personal preference? Or is it everyone must do so as a strict requirement? You can't have it both ways, love.
Excuse the sexist language, but I am a little tired and emotional. If your advisor had been male I would have been equally condescending and called him 'son.'

So much for expecting her to make sense of her previous claim and scary talk about how I was in violation of the law. So it this and that except when it's not? Got it!

Matsuki, I did some research not long ago bout the various Immi offices and come to the conclusion that Shinagawa is the fucking worst place to apply for anything. This is based on the relatively easy treatment gaijin get at the Yokohama and Chiba branches. Cases in point - one of my mates works with someone who aint been guilty of not paying citizens' tax or health insurance. Always registers, always pays, follows Immi new laws from 2012 I think re how gaijin have to update Immi on changes in employment status - when you change your job, the new address of your employer.

Their co-worker has a lot of experence teaching Enrish in Jp, well above average gigs tho the one now aint great and guess what? He has now got 2 ONE year visas from Immi in Tokyo, Shinagawa, two yrs in a row. Pays his taxes, health insurance, has been regularly employed but no, no fucking 3 yr visa or 5 for him.

Other gaijin he knows have fallen behind on everything, pay their juminzei late and do it cause visa renewal is coming, late with health insurance, gaps in working history - their reward is 3 or 5 yr visas from Yokohama and Chiba Immi offices respectively. I've heard of similar shit from other people. And about PR, most fucking significant is that Chiba hands em out to people like Tokyo Sam or Tkyosam as he calls himself.

An obsese yank from youtube, got fired from a number of jobs so his work record aint stellar, aint doing much Engrish teaching cause youtube is more important apparently, and he got PR. Yep. I don't care if the fattard had a guarantor, had lived in Jp for over 8 yrs etc, can speak and write Jp, the only skills he has - he has got fired from jobs, drifted from often part time job to part time job, gaps in the resume, and yet he got PR with no problems. From Chiba Immi.

Shingawa Immi are cunts and should be avoided.

This attorney is based in Saitama, where one of my employers is, so guessing that's where she'll go. No shortage of furrinrs there either. From what I've seen/heard though, using an attorney for this mess increases your odds considerably.

[Coligny]

Toyohashi Minato seems cool too, but according to some of the brightest it only work if you borrow my mom in law...

But with such a backing... maybe avoid aichi...

[matsuki]

Toyohashi Minato seems cool too, but according to some of the brightest it only work if you borrow my mom in law...

But with such a backing... maybe avoid aichi...

Angry baba on your side will get things done...I've seen it happen

I wonder what happens if I get pulled over for driving while gaijin while the attorney/immigraiton has my passport and zairyu card. That could lead to loads of fun....

[wagyl]

The attorney does not need to be in possession of your zairyu card. I suppose it is necessary when the actual application is made to the Immigration Office. Is there any reason why you can't be present then?

[Coligny]

Toyohashi Minato seems cool too, but according to some of the brightest it only work if you borrow my mom in law...

But with such a backing... maybe avoid aichi...

Angry baba on your side will get things done...I've seen it happen

I wonder what happens if I get pulled over for driving while gaijin while the attorney/immigraiton has my passport and zairyu card. That could lead to loads of fun....

Not that style here... you need few years of training to get her facial clues indicating her mood...
Reminds me of Francois Mitterrand nicknamed "force tranquille" (silent strength ? Or silent power...)

[matsuki]

The attorney does not need to be in possession of your zairyu card. I suppose it is necessary when the actual application is made to the Immigration Office. Is there any reason why you can't be present then?

It's for when the application is made. She insists on me posting it all to her and her posting it back the same day. Avoiding taking time off work for a trip to immigration with her is the only reason I'm not going. That, and from the way she's talking, she submits several at a time so it might not be quite so productive for me to go. That being said, I do have scans of my card/passport on me at all times so in the slim chance that I get carded, less chance at looking like an ayashii over stayer. (though that might not be enough to save me from a real dickhead cop)

[Yokohammer]

The attorney does not need to be in possession of your zairyu card. I suppose it is necessary when the actual application is made to the Immigration Office. Is there any reason why you can't be present then?

It's for when the application is made. She insists on me posting it all to her and her posting it back the same day. Avoiding taking time off work for a trip to immigration with her is the only reason I'm not going. That, and from the way she's talking, she submits several at a time so it might not be quite so productive for me to go. That being said, I do have scans of my card/passport on me at all times so in the slim chance that I get carded, less chance at looking like an ayashii over stayer. (though that might not be enough to save me from a real dickhead cop)

This sounds like a really bad idea.

I believe you're required by law to carry your zairyu card (or alternative non-native documentation: passport, refugee documentation, etc.), with you at all times. So you post it all to her, and she posts it back to you on the same day that she receives it. That's still at least three or four days in limbo even with express post both ways. Maybe OK if you're planning to stay home with the curtains closed, but if you're going to be out and about you might end up meeting Murphy at the wrong time, which of course is the only time you're going to run into ol' Murphy.

[Mike Oxlong]

Yeah, think you got that backwards. You keep your card, she gets the copies.

[matsuki]

This sounds like a really bad idea.

I believe you're required by law to carry your zairyu card (or alternative non-native documentation: passport, refugee documentation, etc.), with you at all times. So you post it all to her, and she posts it back to you on the same day that she receives it. That's still at least three or four days in limbo even with express post both ways. Maybe OK if you're planning to stay home with the curtains closed, but if you're going to be out and about you might end up meeting Murphy at the wrong time, which of course is the only time you're going to run into ol' Murphy.

All of which I know....and which is why I made a point of asking. BUT, I do have a Japanese DL and as I mentioned before, copies of both the Zairyu and passport on me at all times. (and the attorney's business card)

[wagyl]

I believe you're required by law to carry your zairyu card (or alternative non-native documentation: passport, refugee documentation, etc.), with you at all times.

I discovered to my surprise some years ago that even if you happen to be carrying your passport, you still need to carry your zairyu card. It is possible that this change happened with the change to the zairyu card system, I am not sure.

http://www.immi-moj.go.jp/newimmiact_1/ ... html#q42-a

Basically, if you have your zairyu card, you do not need to carry your passport. It is not however the case that you can leave your zairyu card home if you are carrying your passport.

[Grumpy Gramps]

AFAIK, it has always been like this. To carry only the monkey-card hass been fine as long as I can remember (Alzheimer-disclaimer, though).

I think though, in Matsuki's case, it might be fine as well. Maybe have something in "official enough" writing on you, which claims that the card is @immi for processing PR and someone important enough is very sorry for the inconvenience. A bit like the paper sticker that you get on your car's window, while officialdom processes your shaken until your shiny new real sticker arrives.

And have your dog with you at all times. Men with dogs, ideally while fiddling with a poopie bag, don't look very suspicious (unless maybe it's a Tosa or the like). Anyway, your lawyerette should know these things; it is not the first time, she does this or is it?

[Yokohammer]

I have heard of immigration issuing a temporary interim document to cover while stuff was being processed, but I doubt that some random lawyer would have that authority.

I'm only chiming in here because it sounds like a dicey plan, and I really don't want anyone (even Matsuki ) to have to find out the hard way.

If a copy of your driver's license isn't good enough (and it isn't ... you'll get fined for not carrying your license), there's no way a copy of your zairyu card will pass muster.

[wagyl]

AFAIK, it has always been like this. To carry only the monkey-card hass been fine as long as I can remember (Alzheimer-disclaimer, though).

Yes, there is no dispute from anyone to the statement that you only need to carry your card, OK without the passport.

What is dangerous is the now mistaken (or maybe it was always mistaken) idea that you are OK without your card, so long as you have your passport. Whatever the situation before, it has now been made clear that being without your card, even if you are carrying your passport, is illegal.

[Russell]

AFAIK, it has always been like this. To carry only the monkey-card hass been fine as long as I can remember (Alzheimer-disclaimer, though).

Yes, there is no dispute from anyone to the statement that you only need to carry your card, OK without the passport.

What is dangerous is the now mistaken (or maybe it was always mistaken) idea that you are OK without your card, so long as you have your passport. Whatever the situation before, it has now been made clear that being without your card, even if you are carrying your passport, is illegal.

However, since your visa is not in your passport anymore, you could just pretend being a tourist.

Provided, of course, that not more than 3 months passed since entering the country...

[Grumpy Gramps]

Even worse, if you have renewed your passport, while in Japan and no Japanese stamp at all in it

[omae mona]

Yeah, matsuki, I'd think that anybody at the immigration office seeing your lawyer holding your zairyu card would be bright enough to say "uh, where is the gaijin this card is supposed to be permanently attached to?". That ain't ok. This is the 2nd sign that your lawyer is either not communicating with you clearly or she's got a pretty flimsy grasp of the law.

[Coligny]

I have heard of immigration issuing a temporary interim document to cover while stuff was being processed, but I doubt that some random lawyer would have that authority.

I'm only chiming in here because it sounds like a dicey plan, and I really don't want anyone (even Matsuki ) to have to find out the hard way.

If a copy of your driver's license isn't good enough (and it isn't ... you'll get fined for not carrying your license), there's no way a copy of your zairyu card will pass muster.

Totally right.

But as for passportz keeping color copies of all documents in the car or at various dwelling you own can provide a bit of leeway/relief in case of clear and present danger. Or just if you get robbed/lose the original stuff.

Copie of your driver license is worthless. But if you are driving away from a tsunami alert it's going to be plenty good enough. Most legal systems usually allows for "cas de force majeure" (extreme distress/emergency ?) Japan being so often driven by the amount of pretend remorses or excuses a felon provide I'd be surprised if it was not to be of any influence. Don't expect to escape any fines. But you should be clear from the firing squad.

[Mike Oxlong]

Yeah, matsuki, I'd think that anybody at the immigration office seeing your lawyer holding your zairyu card would be bright enough to say "uh, where is the gaijin this card is supposed to be permanently attached to?". That ain't ok. This is the 2nd sign that your lawyer is either not communicating with you clearly or she's got a pretty flimsy grasp of the law.

One gets the feeling that it's a lawyer, sure, but chances are not an immigration lawyer, bringing all the competence an Inada-type can when confronted with a situation that requires expertise and experience...a.k.a. nada, zilch, aught.