tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9151015013036328998.post2172706875289329503..comments2024-03-29T20:13:37.908+09:00Comments on A little shop in Tokyo: Applying for a permanent residence visa (永住権) in JapanStacey - A little shop in Tokyohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15002335365177895985noreply@blogger.comBlogger43125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9151015013036328998.post-55323025065441746282015-03-05T14:12:35.250+09:002015-03-05T14:12:35.250+09:00Hi Stacey! thanks for this Blog. I have applied fo...Hi Stacey! thanks for this Blog. I have applied for PR last month and now keeping my fingers crossed for the good result. I applied together with my family. Your application that has been denied was two or three years ago, so, have you tried to apply again? I wish you luck and success. May God bless you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9151015013036328998.post-85982243672089507922015-03-04T14:11:43.131+09:002015-03-04T14:11:43.131+09:00Hi Ana, how long have you stayed in Japan before y...Hi Ana, how long have you stayed in Japan before you applied for PR? thanks and congrtas! I also applied for my family.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9151015013036328998.post-63857760352479344552015-01-30T19:10:57.094+09:002015-01-30T19:10:57.094+09:00Got it today, Jan 30th 2015. Applied July 1 2014. ...Got it today, Jan 30th 2015. Applied July 1 2014. Took 7 months.<br />Thanks Stacey for excellent info on your site and having an ear for us.<br />Good luck to all applying,Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00509794457574298439noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9151015013036328998.post-86231520747301414742014-11-11T15:36:51.846+09:002014-11-11T15:36:51.846+09:00Did you get it, Ana?Did you get it, Ana?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9151015013036328998.post-81870788866550430922014-09-16T21:44:49.056+09:002014-09-16T21:44:49.056+09:00Hello, did you really got Ur PR in 2 months? How ...Hello, did you really got Ur PR in 2 months? How did you apply? As a spouse or other and did you use a lawyer to apply or by yourself? <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9151015013036328998.post-48488782251993808592014-07-17T15:20:49.244+09:002014-07-17T15:20:49.244+09:00About letter of explanation why I want to stay in ...About letter of explanation why I want to stay in Japan, at Information counter they said it is better to have it in Japanese.<br />Then, whoever reviews it, would know that for the life of me I could not have put it together myself.<br />Now, it's bugging me: in 5 months, when my case comes to someone's intray, he/she would go through and tick the boxes in their own sheet. Then the letter comes, in English. Now, I imagine, they would just want to scan it with their eyes and better if it is in Japanese, they would not care who wrote it for me, they need it in front of their eyes regardless. <br />Hope it does not take them big effort or cheese them off.<br /><br />I was also told it may take 6 to 8 months.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00509794457574298439noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9151015013036328998.post-488468858248599212014-07-15T10:25:56.862+09:002014-07-15T10:25:56.862+09:00Congrats tokyopurplegirl! It's surely a nice t...Congrats tokyopurplegirl! It's surely a nice thing not to have to go to the immigration centre any more :) Stacey - A little shop in Tokyohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15002335365177895985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9151015013036328998.post-41704021317184333442014-07-12T13:26:32.622+09:002014-07-12T13:26:32.622+09:00I applied for PR in 2010, after living here for 17...I applied for PR in 2010, after living here for 17 years, 15 of them consecutive. I'm single and work as a high school teacher. From application to approval took 5 months, which was speedier than they had said it could be. (I was told to would take probably 6 to 8 months.) The best advice I was given was regarding the letter you have to write in Japanese, because the first version I wrote was more about why I wanted to stay. A friend advised me to re-write it, focusing instead on what I was going to contribute to Japanese society by staying. It made it quite a different letter, but made sense. I wrote about what I did at work over and above what I was expected to do, volunteer work I had done (and would continue to do) etc. I asked the principal of my school (who is also a friend) to be my guarantor. I had her tax returns etc. sealed in envelopes (because I felt it was her private information and I didn't want to see it) and when I handed it over at Immigration I explained that this was from the principal of my school and that seemed to carry some weight. I must say that having PR has not made any difference to my daily life, but it is nice to not have to renew visas any more, and as I walked out of the building with my new status I did feel a bit different.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9151015013036328998.post-76907437333659778692014-07-01T20:02:48.237+09:002014-07-01T20:02:48.237+09:00Absolutely, that's my impression too! I'm ...Absolutely, that's my impression too! I'm glad that you were able to successfully submit the application, all the best with it! The "fee" is stamp duty, which you use to buy stamps when your application is successful, as far as I remember. Thanks for the update! Fingers crossed..Stacey - A little shop in Tokyohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15002335365177895985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9151015013036328998.post-11339631443998953882014-07-01T19:58:52.690+09:002014-07-01T19:58:52.690+09:00This comment has been removed by the author.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00509794457574298439noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9151015013036328998.post-25405364699170461852014-07-01T19:56:14.744+09:002014-07-01T19:56:14.744+09:00Today, July 1. finally submitted my application fo...Today, July 1. finally submitted my application for PR for my whole family.<br /><br />I had everything ready, took a number ticket at 11:40, my number called 11:50, at 12:00 walked out with a PR case number.<br /><br />There was no 8,000Y fee - perhaps it comes later, when decided, in 6 months from now.<br /><br />It was not without any problems. They were:<br />- my wife is in hospital, could not attend (which is required) but I had doctor's certificate, they accepted it.<br />- my wife's allien card had expired 15 months ago. They said no problem, when she applies for new 5 years visa extension (7. october 2014), she will get a new one.<br />- my daughter's passport expired 22. June 2014. No problem, her visa has not, bring the new passport on October 7. 2014. and it's ok.<br /><br />My impression is that staff at Immigration Office are doing well and were very helpfull.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00509794457574298439noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9151015013036328998.post-426721483887618372014-06-14T21:17:12.622+09:002014-06-14T21:17:12.622+09:00The law was amended just a few days ago (June 12th...The law was amended just a few days ago (June 12th 2014), may take some time to be enacted. I would expect 2 weeks, by July 1. 2014. Public servants at Immigration, I suppose, would not be strict knowing the law has been changed. May just delay the verdict on the applications that fall under the old law, until the new one is implemented.<br />It is not changing anything for me but for many others it may.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00509794457574298439noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9151015013036328998.post-51940086899157729142014-06-13T21:18:53.817+09:002014-06-13T21:18:53.817+09:00Interestingly, the MOJ website that I link to at t...Interestingly, the MOJ website that I link to at the top of this post has been altered slightly. <br /><br />http://www.immi-moj.go.jp/english/tetuduki/zairyuu/guide_residence.html<br /><br />It still says 10 years in total, but the wording in the second half of the page has been adjusted to specify that the 'consecutive block' of years, that was my application's downfall, now only has to be 5 consecutive years, rather than the 10 consecutive years that was stated to me in the rejection letter. <br /><br />A slight loosening then, but that is promising!<br />Stacey - A little shop in Tokyohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15002335365177895985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9151015013036328998.post-9358758178730798722014-06-13T21:13:37.393+09:002014-06-13T21:13:37.393+09:00Thanks so much for the updates!
I read about that...Thanks so much for the updates! <br />I read about that too. Here is the link for interested readers: https://www.asia-first.com/newsletter/japan-eases-permanent-residency-requirements-for-highly-skilled-foreigners.html <br /><br />although since there isn't much information available about it at the moment, I wondered if it was just an extension of the fast-track points system that they introduced in May this year, which I wrote about here: http://alittleshopintokyo.blogspot.jp/2012/08/1st-attempt-at-permanent-residency-in.html<br /><br />Please do keep us up to date on any updates, and best of luck with your application! Stacey - A little shop in Tokyohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15002335365177895985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9151015013036328998.post-85564878466518194752014-06-13T19:45:44.871+09:002014-06-13T19:45:44.871+09:00Just yesterday (June 12. 2014) , the immigration l...Just yesterday (June 12. 2014) , the immigration law was changed to allow PR applications after 3 years, not 10 years until now.<br />That basically does at a larger scale what has already been in place - allowing others, not only those married to Japanese national, to apply after 3 years.<br />Those approved, their spouses can work right away, can bring their mother, father, domestic helpers.<br /><br />I know your site is about something else but after sifting through the drivel that Google returned, your site was the first one to cover PR well.<br />Just added my 2 cents to your already great write-up.Will come back to report any progress/stalling.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00509794457574298439noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9151015013036328998.post-28466122290015098382014-06-13T16:13:53.801+09:002014-06-13T16:13:53.801+09:00I think it is a clear cut in my case. Other than g...I think it is a clear cut in my case. Other than guarantor, i needed the same documents to get dependant visa for my family, this September they will be in their 3rd extension (initial 2008, ext 2011, ext 2014).<br />There were no interruptions in stay, no visa type changes, no job changes.<br /><br />Someone told me that immigration lawyers charge 150,000Y to conduct the application and still you have to go around and get almost all documents (they would write "Explanation" page on my behalf, I don't need them for that).<br /><br />Immigration officer said that if we were married for longer than 3 years and family has been in Japan for more than 1 year, they are automatically elligible to apply in the same package with me.<br /><br />I see no reason to engage a lawyer. I even asked at the counter, out of 100 applications, how many are direct and how many by a lawyer. The officer said that most are direct, by a lawyer are rare, less than 5 out of 100.<br /><br />Hope it adds a pinch to your already very helpful writing. Had I known what you said in the opening piece last week, it would have saved me hours of research.<br />I did not know that the guarantor is not legally bound, that was what made me on unease when I asked my colleague to guarantee. He gladly did but I will tell him what can be read in FAQ Q7 that you mentioned at moj.gov.jpAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00509794457574298439noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9151015013036328998.post-91396683888262137442014-06-13T15:45:43.933+09:002014-06-13T15:45:43.933+09:00I'm not an immigration professional, but the p...I'm not an immigration professional, but the plan you listed makes sense to me. It's my impression that they are mainly concerned to make sure your duration of stay has been long enough and on the same visa type, that there are no criminal offenses, you're paying taxes and able to support your life here. <br />Since you're applying with dependents/as a family things might be a little more complex, I'm not sure. If you have questions or any doubt at all, I'd absolutely ecommend working with an immigration lawyer. Stacey - A little shop in Tokyohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15002335365177895985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9151015013036328998.post-72603922332687534002014-06-13T15:34:38.317+09:002014-06-13T15:34:38.317+09:00Thanks Stacey, it was quick answer (for other read...Thanks Stacey, it was quick answer (for other readers, it was me who posted as Anonymous).<br /><br />One thing that was not mentioned about guarantor: the moment I have his document signed where he guarantees for myself, that moment I am empowered to be the guarantor for my wife and daughter. The original guarantor does not have to guarantee for all 3 of us separately.<br /><br />For "Reason for applying for Permanent Resident" I intend to give them an idea that Japan would benefit from me further. Something like "To continue living with family in Japan, purchase a house and provide that my daughter completes her education all the way to University".<br /><br />Perheps they would be fine to see hefty taxes that I pay (IT Exec), big money needed for a house and an 11 year old child that would possibly never leave Japan.<br /><br />Or, is there some other platitude that is commonly used and expected?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00509794457574298439noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9151015013036328998.post-83448152040206262842014-06-13T14:40:47.802+09:002014-06-13T14:40:47.802+09:00I'd just put the info relevant to Japan, in yo...I'd just put the info relevant to Japan, in your case the one stable job you mentioned. It's not a cv, just a list for them to reference. Your simple and stable situation will look good and hopefully make their task very easy :) Good luck!Stacey - A little shop in Tokyohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15002335365177895985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9151015013036328998.post-81660308578375683012014-06-13T14:21:29.820+09:002014-06-13T14:21:29.820+09:00Hi,
I am just preparing the documents for PR appli...Hi,<br />I am just preparing the documents for PR application. I have everything in front of me, but I am puzzled what to say in "Personal History" section of the application form.<br />It gives 6 lines with "year/month/personal history".<br /><br />Does it need things before coming to Japan?<br /><br />I came on September 1 2003. and remained with same employer, same salary ever since. Local hire. Other than 2 weeks a year tourist trip for holiday I have no other absence from Japan.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9151015013036328998.post-49816393427150378042014-06-05T15:07:30.372+09:002014-06-05T15:07:30.372+09:00Strictly speaking, if there are any changes in you...Strictly speaking, if there are any changes in your situation from when you handed in your application, you're obliged to let immigration know. If you haven't been in Japan for over 10 years then not being married to a Japanese citizen anymore likely would negatively impact your application.. Not sure how best to advise, other than seek professional advice with an immigration lawyer! All the best.Stacey - A little shop in Tokyohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15002335365177895985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9151015013036328998.post-67186723598460659562014-05-26T12:38:02.702+09:002014-05-26T12:38:02.702+09:00I have successfully passed all requirments of gett...I have successfully passed all requirments of getting p.r status and now currently waiting for the result but our relationship turned sour and planning to be divorced.do u think it'll affect my application if we divorce now?pls give me some advice.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14408693814529106666noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9151015013036328998.post-31392605567456781632014-03-31T19:18:40.246+09:002014-03-31T19:18:40.246+09:00Glad to have helped! Glad to have helped! Stacey - A little shop in Tokyohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15002335365177895985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9151015013036328998.post-53830186380471833472014-03-31T02:00:31.693+09:002014-03-31T02:00:31.693+09:00got my permanent visa and it took only 2mont's...got my permanent visa and it took only 2mont's 11day's so happy! thank's for posting ths it helped me alot!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09090572241676678240noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9151015013036328998.post-54034389720102463292014-01-21T13:00:14.088+09:002014-01-21T13:00:14.088+09:00A pleasure! Good luck with the application :)A pleasure! Good luck with the application :)Stacey - A little shop in Tokyohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15002335365177895985noreply@blogger.com