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"Things to remember for visa extension" Oct 1, 2002 |
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Now we will bring you the fifth series on frequently asked questions related to immigration issues in English. Today's topic is about extension of visa. Visa extension is one of the most important procedures that a foreigner must always be aware of. The procedures may sound simple, but it can be complicated than one could imagine if not properly guided. With regards to visa extension, the most frequently asked question is on what to do when one haven't got all the required documents for extension ready before the expiration of his visa. In such case, the first thing one must do is to go to the immigration office and apply for the extension of visa. Submit whatever documents you have ready for the mean time, because it is of most important to have your passport stamped, application and progress before the expiration of visa. You will then be asked to submit the rest of the necessary documents within a certain period by the immigration officer. In so doing, one can avoid from being an overstaying citizen. Not being able to gather all the required documents is not an excuse to become overstayed. Just be sure that you can comply within the alerted period or you might face the consequences of having your application rejected. Though one might feel uneasy for not having gathered all the required documents on time, there's nothing to worry about because the immigration officer will guide you of the things that needs to be done. Now, what if one can't get a certain document that is necessary for the extension. Will it be a reason to have the application rejected? Well, it all depends on the type of visa one is holding, and also, on the importance of the document. If in any circumstances, it will be impossible to make available the documents in question, one has no other choice but to write a statement of reason to justify the situation and included with the other documents. Nevertheless, if the document in question is deemed essential for judging the extension, it is unlikely to have the application approved if the concerned cannot provide it to the immigration. For example, if one will extend the resident status of the spouse of the Japanese national, the guarantee letter of the Japanese spouse is a must. Otherwise, the credibility of the marriage will not be proven and it goes with the disapproval of the application. The same goes with those extending their working visa. The employment certificate and the withholding tax slip or "Gensen Choushu Hyo" are a must. And for those who are extending their student visa, don't forget to enclose the certificate of enrollment, transcript of records, and certificate of scholarship grant if available, or any equivalent documents to certify one's financial standing and prove his capability to defray all the expenses incurred during the stay in Japan. Be aware that if such documents are not enclosed, the Immigration Bureau might disapprove the application for extension even a statement of reason is enclosed. Now, let's move on to another frequently asked question concerning the visa extension. What should I do if I forgot to extend my visa unintentionally? Strictly speaking, one will be considered as an overstaying citizen on the first day of the expiration of his visa. However, if one attended the matter without delay, and was able to prove that the negligence in extending his visa wan not intended by some reasons justifiable without doubt, the Immigration Bureau will consider the late application and the concerned might be granted the special acceptance or " Tokubetsu Juri" in Japanese. Unfortunately, such special treatment was revoked last July first 2002. Effected July first 2002, anyone who forgot to extend their visa on time will be treated as outlaws and will be subjected to severe interrogation regardless of their previous resident status, a process that is seldom taken before if the concerned has no criminal record and has been a good residence. If after the interrogation, the immigration officer acknowledged that the negligence in extending his visa was not intended and it was because of some inevitable and justifiable reasons, the immigration officer then will accept the late application. And upon the discretion of the Minister of Justice, the concerned might be granted the special permission to stay or "Zairyu Tokubetsu Kyoka" in Japanese. Approval for late application can be expected if the negligence was because the concerned got sick and was bedridden during the time of application for extension, the last day for applying the extension fell on a holiday or the area where the concerned live was affected by some natural disaster like typhoon or earthquake which could cost the negligence. Now, one has to bear in mind that having justifiable reasons is not enough to get an approval for late application. It is also important that the term of overstay is short plus that the concerned could prove to the immigration officer that he could get the visa extension without doubt if he had done the process on the appropriate time because all the necessary documents are in order. Now let's move on to the last frequently asked question concerning visa extension. Whether the application will be approved if the applicant did change his place of work. The first thing you have to make sure of is whether the nature of your job will change or not. Basically, one is required to be involved in the same kind of job defined by the visa to be extended regardless of the place of work. This means that if you are issued with a skilled labors status for being a share with your previous employer, you must be working as a share as well in your new place of work and not as a waiter. Another thing that one must be concerned of when applying for the visa extension after changing his place of work is the status of the employer he moved in. For example, the concerned has acquired his status when working as a translator or interpreter with his previous employer, and now that he is applying for the visa extension he had moved to a company that deals business domestically. In such a case, the visa extension will hardly be approved because it will be difficult to justify that his service as an interpreter or translator is a necessity for his new employer. |
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