I recently got my zairyuu card and passport back, I switched visas from instructor to 技術・人文知識・国際業務 but when I looked inside there was no new updated permit stamp in the book, only had the instructor.
My old visa was also only 3 years but this one is 5. I know how much a pain in the ass the police can be when it comes to checking your passport and I already know they are going to raise a big issue if they check it after my 3 year permit is up even though I actually still have 4 more years.
Is it normal for them not to add anything in your passport and if so what should I do so I don’t have to go back to the kouban and explain in large detail to the police.
3 comments
You don’t have a visa anymore you have a SOR.
You don’t need to carry your passport unless you’re going abroad, you just carry your zairyuu card.
“Visa” (査証) and “Status of Residence” (在留資格) are not the same thing. A number of people use the words interchangeably, which leads to confusion – but they actually aren’t the same, and have very specific meanings (and functions).
The visa in your passport is for a one-time use, that allows you to enter Japan (unless you have a multiple-entry visa, which is not very common). The expiry date on your visa, is the date that you need to enter Japan. If you have not done so by that date, you won’t be able to without a new visa.
Upon entry, that visa is used, and you are issued a residence card and granted a “status of residence” (SOR). Your SOR is what allows you to reside in Japan, and pursue the activities that it allows.
You switched from an “Instructor” SOR to a 技術・人文知識・国際業務 SOR.
your residence card is your visa, the one in your passport is an entry permit.