I’m debating applying for PR and waiting out the long approval time or just leaving Japan soon. My parents are getting older, the yen sucks, etc..However, I do intend to return at some point in the future but cannot say for certain when.
I understand I can apply for a 5 year re-entry permit after getting PR and can leave japan so long as I intend to return. What I cannot seem to find much information on is what happens if I can’t return until 10,15, or 20 years? How many times are you actually allowed to come back for another 5 year permit and leave again? I know nobody here can answer that but has anyone here actually been denied a re-entry in that scenario? I know they have the power to refuse you, but is it *actually* known to happen regularly on the basis of pushing it too far with the 5 year permits?
If I move back to take care of my parents and for a new job, would those be reasons enough to repeatedly ask for re-entry permits over the next 10-15 years?
Lastly, I saw the form for the re-entry permit. It has a place to put a Japanese address which I wouldn’t have if I came back to renew the 5 year re-entry. Do I just have to use a friends address in that case? What would I put for the ‘return’ date? Also what about the permanent resident card? Does that need an address to deliver a post card for renewal (like for the zairyuu card)?
*Edit**
Perhaps I didn’t make this clear enough, I want to know if anyone here has known someone to be denied a re-entry or has personally been denied a re-entry permit in this scenario. Or, if someone here has spent a lot of time outside of Japan with PR. I’m not looking to hear about what *could* happen or a morality debate of holding PR while living outside of Japan.
*Edit 2
Some of yall need to chill. I’m simply asking what happens if this were to happen. I’m not even saying I intend to stay out that long. I’m just asking if anyone else has experienced or heard of what happens in this kind of scenario.
by proton_zero
9 comments
If you’re not sure you’ll be back, what’s the point of getting PR? It’s a hassle if you’re coming off a work visa, and you need to show intention to live in Japan
You shouldn’t interpret permanent residence status as “really cool hassle-free, non-expiring visa that lets me come and go whenever I want for the rest of my life”. The word “residence” is in there for a reason. It’s meant for residing in Japan. While authorities certainly allow extended overseas stays for family and other reasons, you’re always at risk of the officer at the port of entry deeming you to have abandoned your residence, and to cancel your status.
By the way, there’s no such thing as a permanent residence card per se. PR holders receive a zairyu card like everybody else. It indicates PR status.
i’m in the same boat
I think it is best to believe that you will be denied the re-entry permit which, based on what you write, you likely will never need anyway.
I don’t have an answer to the question. But this doesn’t sound as ridiculous as other commenters are making it out to be.
From what I hear, immigrants from countries with questionable political or economic institutions (namely China) work long enough to obtain PR in Japan and then sometimes return to their home country.
I extended the re-entry permit outside of Japan, but I had valid/ good reasons to not be in Japan and to come back to Japan. If you have to look after your parents, that would be a good reason to be away for a couple of years. But then what would be a good reason to keep the residence status for like 10/15 years if you do not have family/ roots here in Japan? And no I never heard of being denied re-entry but there are lots of stories how immigration officers are playing darts…….
Permanent residents haven’t needed a re-entry visa for years.
To be honest, asking on Reddit is not a good way to resolve your anxiety. Nobody is a lawyer here so even if you get a “no” answer it just means that the guy who would have answered “yes!” didn’t read your post.
Bite the bullet and go and spend ¥5000 yen to consult with an immigration lawyer. They’ll probably answer in 5 minutes and spend the rest of the hour chatting with you. That was my experience.
Explain your situation and what you intend to do. They’ll tell you what is the law and what is the usual practice of the immigration service in this situation and any gotchas.
My lawyer laughed and said “Is that all? Compared to the 悪いやつ that I normally deal with you’ll have no problem.” Still, it was a big anxiety for me at the time and I had a real risk of getting my visa application rejected after applying to change to a Long Term Resident from Spouse Status after divorce. It all worked out well.
OP, don’t take the negative comments to heart. Jaded expats will literally downvote you for breathing on this sub.