I have a similiar issue as [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/japanlife/comments/10jt00g/work_visa_to_a_tourist_visa/). Maybe u/Karlbert86, @[acme\_mail\_order](https://www.reddit.com/user/acme_mail_order/) and/or u/KitKatKass (or someone else) could help me out.
Is it possible to leave the country while having a valid residence permit, render it by leaving the country (tell the immigration staff I won’t come back as a residence) and re-enter 5–6 days later as a Tourist?
\- I am here on a student visa – which is valid till September 2023 (5+ months left)
\- I am done at my university since end of March 2023, so not a student anymore.
I’ve wanted to change my “visa” from residence status “Student” to a “Temp. Visitor-Visa” to be able to use the JR Pass.
The Immigration Office close to Shinagawa (Tokyo) refused. They said it’s not a problem that I am not a student anymore and they won’t (be able to) change my actual status since it’s valid till September this year. I should just be happy as I am.
So I’ve asked them, if it would be possible to take the ferry from Fukuoka to Busan (SouthKorea), render my residency by telling the immigration at the port that I will not come back as a residence … and then re-enter Japan by ferry a couple of days later as a tourist (90 days).
**So any experience or ideas if I could get trouble when trying to re-enter Japanas a Tourist a couple of days later leaving the country?**
–Thanks!!!
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Why all this?
I want/have to use the Japan JR Pass, which is only valid as a tourist.
I can prof that my flight is going back by end of May, and I will need more than 30 days (i.e. 90 days) tourism visa. My flight is leaving from Tokyo and some of my stuff is also deposited at a friends house. So I really have to come back to Tokyo.
(Please: No discussing about the “sense”; since it won’t be a big deal to get to Fukuoka (without JR Pass, and to travell to Busan).
1 comment
People do Korea visa runs all the time, for a first run you should be fine, especially with return tickets etc.
However, my understanding of JR pass is you’d need to buy it outside Japan somewhere (the voucher) and then turn it into the pass at the arriving airport or something? If you can do that in Busan that’s fine, otherwise I don’t see how you’re getting it. You can’t buy it here.