Hi, I apologise if this is a really stupid question.
I’m an Australian citizen, and also have permanent residency in Japan. Due to health problems, I want to go back to Australia for a few months to recieve treatment, however to do this I’d need to re-enrol in the Australian medicare system.
To do so, I’d need to prove I now “live in” Australia. I’d only be staying with my sister, not actually living there in my own residence. Would it be possible to claim that I live in Australia (at my sisters house), whilst also keeping my Japanese permanent residency? Or would it be forfeited if I resided in another country?
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take 5 years reentry just in case
Since it’s under a year, it falls under the [“Special Re-Entry Permit”](https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/procedures/minashisainyukoku_00001.html?hl=en). Also check [here](https://visaguide.world/asia/japan-visa/re-entry-permit/).
From what I have heard, you lose your residency if you stay out of Japan for more than a year. If you come back in under a year I think you’ll be fine with just the reentry.
Have you checked your eligibility for Medicare on the other end? I have a vague recollection of some minimum period before you’re covered again after moving back.
May be wrong, but better to check now than find out once you’re already there and get lumped with a massive bill.
It may also cause issues with your tax liability in each country, so you’ll want to check that out too. At the very least, you’ll probably have to file a tax return in Australia for that financial year.