I have a 3 year visa. I have read conflicting things. I heard if I come back after 3 months that my Visa will be canceled and I would have to enter on a visitors visa (they wouldn’t turn me away would they?), but I also heard that they likely wouldn’t even say anything about it.
Has anyone had this experience, were you able to re-enter Japan after 3 months of being gone and keep your Visa?
Thanks
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If your status of residence (the “visa”) is still valid when you’re back, no reason to return as a visitor. You’ll still be under the same status. Just properly tick the box saying you’ll be back within a year when you depart Japan, you’ll have an automatic reentry permit.
Hmm it might depend on your visa type. Like for example (From what I have been too, forgive me if I’m wrong) if you’re on a work visa like humanities then you can’t be out of work for more than 3 months or you risk losing it/they will start the process of revoking your status of residence. Unless you can prove that you’re actively looking for work..
Perhaps that’s why people told you 3 months.
There is a form at the airport, tick “returning within under 1 year” then you will just walk in like nothing ever changes. You could even extend this duration.
I left for almost six months last year and had no problem coming back into Japan with my reentry card they gave me at the airport.
You’ll get automatic rentry permission do long as you check the box at the airport that you’ll be back in less than a year. You’ll have no issue returning and entering Japan. But whether you’ll be able to stay for the remaining length of your visa depends on whether your school/work has an issue with you being gone for so long.
I wouldn’t worry about it. Head home, take care of your family, came back within a year and things should work out just fine. 