Comments on: Japan Visa Renewal - 1 or 3 Years: A Coin Flip?

By: Billy W

Billy W — Tue, 18 May 2010 11:52:30 +0000

You should get it within a month. Usually it’s only about two weeks.

By: Okasan

Okasan — Tue, 18 May 2010 08:11:28 +0000

I applied for a 3 years visa and now waiting for my hagaki ..how many weeks it will take?

By: James Annan

James Annan — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 08:00:10 +0000

I know the post is old, but I have had 3 consecutive 3y visas through Yokohama, no trouble. Oh, I suppose I must have got the first before I arrived, so it’s only been 2×3y renewals here.

By: Joshua Zimmerman

Joshua Zimmerman — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 07:25:48 +0000

Same thing here. A coworker and I went in to get renewals at the same time. He got a three year, I got a one year. It makes no sense at all.

By: Tokyo Five

Tokyo Five — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 14:58:35 +0000

>What are the advantages of PR (Permanent Resident Visa)?

Well, I haven’t had to go to the immigration office for years…and never will have to go again (unless I want to go overseas on holiday (a “Re-entry Permit” is still needed)).

Actually, I’m considering Naturalization now.

By: Orchid64

Orchid64 — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 12:40:31 +0000

It has nothing to do with your Japanese language ability. They have no way of testing it and don’t try to tax your speaking when accepting or dealing with your application.

It’s based on the whim of the person processing the application form and how your stability is viewed. People who remain with the same company and at the same address are viewed more favorably than those who change jobs a lot or move around frequently. The greater your stability, the higher the chances of a 3-year visa.

That being said, it really is down the the officer who processes the application (who probably isn’t even the one who accepts it at the counter).

By: Paul

Paul — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 05:00:41 +0000

I live in Hyogo and I came over with a 3-year visa.

By: ScIoN

ScIoN — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 10:16:32 +0000

From a 1 year visa, I applied again for another 1 year (as per company instruction) but Yokohama immigration gave me 3 years. Guess I was lucky?

By: billywest

billywest — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 13:03:04 +0000

@McAlpine and Locohama:
Glad to hear the Yokohama office finally did you a solid.

@Liv:
From what I hear, things seem to be more random in Kansai. Guess there’s some truth to that, eh?

By: Liv

Liv — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 12:24:18 +0000

it absolutely seems random. My friends and I lived in Kansai. Some of us who lived in Osaka (like myself) got 3 years and some didn’t. Same for the guys in Kyoto. We tried to figure it out ourselves. Some suggested that maybe those of us who got 3 year visas were more polite. It certainly wasn’t because we spoke better Japanese. Congrats on your 3 year visa!