Extension of Period of Stay
I live in Japan almost a year now and as I arrived here on 1-year professor type visa, if I want to stay longer I need to extend my period of stay. And I want, so I will. Ease, in steps:
fill out the application
Basic information regarding extension of stay can be found at the Immigration Bureau of Japan (IBF) website: http://www.immi-moj.go.jp/english/tetuduki/kanri/shyorui/03.html There you can also find the form entitled: Application For Extension Of Period Of Stay that is adequate to your type of visa. It is important to use the correct form as Japan offers 27 different type of visa. But I am assuming that if you apply for the extension of your stay you are going to do it within the same visa you already have. If you want to change Status of Residence there is a page for you: http://www.immi-moj.go.jp/english/tetuduki/kanri/shyorui/02-format.html My form required some information about the employer such as a number of foreign employees and regarding me, like my salary. All of that needed to be confirmed by the University seal. I contacted the HR section and they prepared it for me.
photo
The IBF require just one photo (4cm×3cm), however, it has to be taken within three months prior to submission (we will see how will they evaluate mine). Just in case: there is a photo booth at the Office in Tokyo (Shinagawa) and it costs 800Y
go to Immigration Office
Bring application form, photo, passport and residence card with you. There is a combini at the spot (surprise surprise) so maybe just a little snack…, just for the road ;) I went to Tokyo Regional Immigration Bureau (5 Chome-5-30 Konan, Minato, Tokyo 108-8255). Google will show you the way! I took a bus from Shinagawa Station (no 99), it took 10 min. They do not recommend using a car due to limited parking space.
At the spot, you will notice a crowd of people, mostly foreign, gathered around an ashtray right next to the entrance. When you get to the building, on the ground floor, just in front of you, there should be an information desk. I used it to know that I had to go to counter B designated with star, located at the upper floor (second floor according to Japanese notation). At there, was a small queue to the window. The office worker took my application and check it, I needed to add my second name so all the information will be the same as in my passport. Then he said that everything is fine and gave me a number to the real submission window. I also got a mysterious postcard to fill in my corresponding address.
I went to the Office on Tuesday and arrived at 9:30 (it opens at 9), I was done with the star window around 10 and I got number 182. There were 5 windows open so it went relatively fast, I was called around 40 min later. A nice lady took my application and the postcard. She informed me that I should wait for the postcard in my mailbox and only then I have to go to the Immigration Bureau to be informed of the result.
waiting for a postcard
My adventure with visa is not over yet, so tbc…
PS. In the process of finding out all of the above, I was recommended to write emails with questions, rather than call, because the office workers are often busy, and also not all of them can answer questions in English Tokyo Regional Immigration Bureau email: [email protected] Further, I learned that Japanese citizens dealing with Immigration Bureau are also notified by postcards.