Hello all!
I’m currently on an instructor visa but need to change my residence card to cultural activities for a Japanese language program I’ll be attending beginning in September.
The program has given me all the documents I’ll need for the switch, but I understand I won’t be able to apply until after my contract is finished.
However, I’m planning to return home for a month in between the end of my contract (end of July) and the start of the program (~end of August.) I have a few days in which I can go to the immigration office and start the process, but I have a few lingering questions.
First, does the immigration office have to hold your passport until the new residence card is issued? I assume not but if so, I don’t know if I’d be able to return home as I currently plan to.
Second, I heard that the immigration office sends a postcard informing you that the new card is ready for pick-up. However, I’ll be moving out of my current residence and to a different city. Am I able to provide them with a home address that’s not my own (e.g. a friend) for the postcard?
Finally, since I’m moving to another city, I’m curious if anyone’s ever had experience having a resident card sent from one immigration office to another, or if that’s something they’re able to do. I‘ll ask all these questions when I go to apply for the new residence card but it would help my stress levels to get some answers before I go 🙂
Thanks in advance!
1 comment
NSFW : You should contact the immigration with your question, they will be the best one to give you advice.
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> does the immigration office have to hold your passport until the new residence card is issued?
No
When is the end of your current visa ?
It is usually avoided to get out of the country during visa processing : how if they need additionnal document, how if they send the 1 week to pick up visa notice more than a week before you come back ? …
You are to inform immigration in the 2 weeks you leave your job.
I think the moving will be a mess if you try to change immigration office : apply in one and pick up in the same, I think there is no obligation to apply to the nearest you moreover considering you are moving.
See with the school if you can start the program under your current visa while your visa is under processing. If yes, see with immigration if that will not be better for you to wait after your return to apply for visa change.
No matter what see with immigration.