Status of Residence: Temporary Visitor

The following information has been taken from CLAIR’s 2014 After Jet Guide. CLAIR is not responsible for Visa issues and the following information should be useful only as a guide. To ensure that the following information is correct for your own situation, we suggest that you contact the Kobe District Immigration Office at 078-391-6377. If you […]

About the Apartment

With burdens like language barriers and “key money”, finding an apartment in Japan is not a pleasant business. One of the blessings of the JET Program is the Contracting Organizations usually arrange housing for participants. Of course, that means we get plenty of questions about housing. My friend’s apartment is better/cheaper than mine. Contracting Organizations […]

Immigration Offices

Whether you need to extend your period of stay or change your status of residence, at some point you will probably need to head over to one of the joint government buildings (合同庁舎) in Hyogo. You have two places to choose from: Kobe and Himeji. Osaka Immigration Bureau, Kobe Branch 大阪入国管理 局神戸支局 Hours: Weekdays 9:00-12:00, […]

Visa Renewal and Status of Residence

What is your Period of Stay? Your period of stay should be written on your alien registration card or residence card. It is the period of time that you are legally allowed to live and work in Japan. Most JETs receive a three-year period of stay. Who needs to extend? If you are staying on […]

Re-entry Permits

Note: The Alien Registration system was abolished in summer 2012 and has been replaced by a new Residency system. Please view the following Ministry of Justice pamphlet for more details: http://www.immi-moj.go.jp/newimmiact_1/pdf/NewResidencyManagementSystem-%28EN%29.pdf Re-entry permits are no longer necessary if you will be out of Japan for less than one year, either for holders of the old […]

Temporary Visitor Visa

Note: The Alien Registration system was abolished in summer 2012 and has been replaced by a new Residency system. Please view the following Ministry of Justice pamphlet for more details: http://www.immi-moj.go.jp/newimmiact_1/pdf/NewResidencyManagementSystem-%28EN%29.pdf For most third year JETs, the last day on your visa is also your last day of work. That means that, unless you leave […]

English Speaking Lawyers

AKAGI, Fumio Phone: 078-321-5558 Fax: 078-392-1424 Address: Shinko Bldg., 2F 8 Kaigan-dori, Chuo-ku, Kobe 650-0024 Specialty: maritime law and banking law Education: Ritsumeikan University, 1954, LL.B Memberships: Hyogo Bar Association NISHI, Masaru Phone: 078-994-3497 Fax: 078-994-3497 Address: Nishi Law Office 1-10-21 Akibadai Nishi-ku, Kobe 651-2224 Specialty: private international law and international transaction Education: Kyoto University, […]

Arrested in Japan

Arrested in Japan While nobody plans on getting arrested while they’re over here, it does occasionally happen. The British embassy provides a very thorough Guide for British Nationals Arrested in Japan, which is applicable to nationals of other countries as well. Also check the section titled “Drunk Driving and Drug Use” in your General Information […]