VISA Information
Visa Q&A List - VISA Information
How Often can Foreigners Extend their Status of Residence for a Temporary Visitor?
I am an American man and I have come now to Japan to see an acquittance. How often can foreigners extend their status of residence for a temporary visitor?
As you know, for foreigners including Europeans, Americans, Australians and Koreans, a temporary visitor effective for 90 days (so to speak “sightseeing visa”) will be granted upon the entry to Japan without obtaining a visa at a Japanese embassy before coming to Japan.
Other foreigners, however, have to apply for a visa at a Japanese embassy beforehand, and after obtaining permission, a temporary visa will be given to them upon entry to Japan.
Basically this temporary visa can’t be extended; however, as an exception, visitors from Switzerland, Germany, Lichtenstein, Austria, the UK and Ireland can extend once for a further 90 days.
This, however, is only possible for humanitarian reasons such as a sudden illness or the need to help a daughter married in Japan and expecting a baby.
On the other hand, such reasons as to wanting to enjoy sightseeing longer, wanting more time to find a job or waiting for the certificate of a status of residence granted from the Immigration office will not be accepted as reasons to extend a temporary visa.
Advisor: NIITSU Kyohei (Immigration Lawyer)
