My zairyu card is good for a few more years, but I am thinking of quitting my job and going back home. Although I know you’re meant to tell Immigration within 14 days of quitting, and you then have 3 months to leave the country, after which immigration reserves the right to deport you (often unacted on), is it possible for me to leave Japan for a bit, and come back on my zairyuu card before it expires? Or will I be questioned/denied entry?
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Questions like this are best asked to the immigrations office
It’s entirely possible. It’s not the technically correct choice to make and I’m sure immigration doesn’t want you doing it. It might even be illegal. I don’t know, I’m not a Japanese lawyer. I just know it’s possible and immigration doesn’t really care.
The key is to just tell the truth. Quit, inform immigration you quit. Depending on how long you’re leaving, let the city office know. When you leave at the airport get the reentry permit thing. Come back to Japan is no problem cause of reentry. When you find a new job tell immigration. The gov branches for better or worse don’t talk to each other.
My friend literally did this this summer and they let him back in the country no problem. Found a new job, moved into a new place, registered at new city hall no problem.
If you’re leaving for 6 months+ there might be some more risks that increase over time, especially if you’re unemployed for that time.
> Although I know you’re meant to tell Immigration within 14 days of quitting, and you then have 3 months to leave the country
No. A million times no. This myth has to die.
Immigration has the ability to begin to revoke your status of residence after 3 months of you not engaging in the activities you should be. For a work SOR this means work. However, there are some major caveats to that:
a) Just because they *can* does not mean they immediately *do.* (They may, especially if there is reason for them to, but it is not some automatic process.)
b) If there are reasonable reason for you not to be engaging in the activities you should (i.e. illness, other extenuating circumstances), then immigration will generally not begin revocation procedures. Looking for work is considered one legitimate case that immigration will not begin revocation (Q74 of their FAQ).
c) Being outside of the country can also qualify as a legitimate reason (though details may matter).
On balance, if you quit your job and then leave the country with a valid re-entry permit and the intent to return reasonably soon and with the intention to begin work again immigration is unlikely to notice or care.