Foreigners with stays until July again given extra 3 months to renew visas

I hate going to Immigration at Shinagawa. Worse than going to hospital. The Familymart though, weirdly, has the freshest looking FamiChiki I've ever seen.

That Shinagawa Immigration place with its detention centre on top is horrible.Miles from the station and located on an island next to an iconic bridge.....just like Alcatraz.

@ksteer my thoughts exactly on both counts. And about the second one, I think you can also go to consulate or something, if I’m not mistaken.

@tokyo-engr agreed. It’s giving me much more confidence as I look to move to Japan myself in a couple of years.

I did an extension at Shinagawa recently. Didn't really have to (not expiring until May) but wanted to change phone contract.

Unless you get there at 6-7am to queue up the lines get quite ridiculous. As in 3 rows of queue barriers leading up to the doors, along the sidewalk to the corner, across the street and halfway down the next block.

Corona must have had a huge influence, because when I went to Shinagawa in January this year, it wasn't like that at all, and I got there around 8:45 AM. It was still crowded for sure, and I think I had to wait around 45 minutes in the first que, and after that maybe 90 more in the big waiting area. But there certainly weren't people waiting in queues outside or even past the escalators.

Less than 3 weeks ago, i phone osaka immigration and they asked me tobring my parents in person. Inside its so crowded and we have to wait 4 hours until they finish to process our application. We even have to go through interview eventhough no probs with our application. So yes, u still have to go in person which does not solve the problem...

It's good that they are doing this but there will be another logjam in three months' time. And what about all the people whose visas are up for renewal in August or September? When should they go? My own visa expires in October? Maybe I should set up a tent and camp outside the building the night before I go.

I just don't understand why people in Tokyo can't file their applications for extensions at their ward office. The ward office then sends the application to the Shinagawa central office. And after a few weeks, if there are no problems, they mail you the postcard telling you to come and get your visa at the ward office. That would be so much easier.

I remember in the early 1990s, I used to go to TCAT at Hakozaki. Immigration had an office there where you can apply to extend your visa. I used to go there all the time. You'd be in and out in 10 minutes. Then in 2003, they brought everything together in that Shinagawa building with long waits, everybody short-tempered and overcrowded conditions.

I was deported within 1.5 weeks a few years back at my own expense. Lost an apartment full of furniture, my job, bike, my yearly bonus and my (then) partner. Key money and rent deposit too.

Some people can't help but make this about themselves. You weren't deported for no reason. Let me guess, overstay? Illegal working?

How about those out of the country and can't return to Japan with visa expiring? How will they return if Visa are already expired?

Go to the Japanese embassy or phone the embassy in the country you are currently in. They will know. No one on this site will.

SilvafanToday  10:17 am JST

They still need someone to do all the jobs that no one else wants like those convenience store, cleaning staff and other pandemic risky work while they pay tax revenue.

There will be many Japanese people looking for ANY job by summer. Let's hope the government doesn't follow the re-opening policies from North America. And we thought the Japanese suicide rate was high before. Godspeed

A very sensible rule which makes complete sense and also shows empathy towards those needing to renew a visa. Maybe next they will make it possible for families where one spouse is Japanese to be able to leave the country together and return together if needed.

I was deported within 1.5 weeks a few years back at my own expense. Lost an apartment full of furniture, my job, bike, my yearly bonus and my (then) partner. Key money and rent deposit too.

seems that although the virus is tragic, my timing was wrong.

How about those out of the country and can't return to Japan with visa expiring? How will they return if Visa are already expired?

Do people still have to show up in person at the Immigration Bureau to extend though?

I did an extension at Shinagawa recently. Didn't really have to (not expiring until May) but wanted to change phone contract.

Unless you get there at 6-7am to queue up the lines get quite ridiculous. As in 3 rows of queue barriers leading up to the doors, along the sidewalk to the corner, across the street and halfway down the next block.

They still need someone to do all the jobs that no one else wants like those convenience store, cleaning staff and other pandemic risky work while they pay tax revenue.