photo by Travel Aficionado
Spread all over the world, the corona virus pandemic has not yet been stamped out. Japanese economy has slumped due to the second wave of the pandemic. There are many mid-to-long term residents who lost their jobs or had their new job cancelled. Normally, visas of foreign residents are revoked when the reason of their stay is terminated. However, a number of residents have difficulties to return their home countries due to flight cancellations or border restrictions. Accordingly, some types of foreign residents who are not able to depart from Japan are eligible to a special arrangement to remain in Japan with their current visa.
Eligible Person
Among those who are unable to return their countries due to the Corona disaster, the following people are eligible to special visa arrangements different from ordinary arrangements.
- Person who is on work visa such as Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services, whose employment is terminated or suspended due to the Corona disaster.
- Person who continues seeking a job, or whose employment is suspended.
- Person who is on working holiday visa.
- Person who is staying in Japan as an EPA trainee nurse or care worker.
* EPA nurse trainee or EPA care worker trainee: A national of Indonesia, Filipins or Vietnam who is working as a trainee nurse/care worker.
1. Person who is on work visa and whose job is terminated or suspended
People who is on work visa such as Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services and meet the following conditions are permitted to extend the period of their current visas.
a. Person who had a notice of termination of employment from the employer, and wish to seek a new job
b. Person who was instructed to wait at home by the employer and wish to return to work
c. Person who was ordered to reduce working hours or days and wish to continue working
d. Person who is in a similar situation as a. or c. above
A person who meet the above conditions will be permitted to engage in activities other than permitted under the status of residence by submitting documents that proves the person is in such a situation. The period granted for activities other than permitted under the status of residence will be 6 months from the day of permission or the expiry date of the current visa, whichever comes earlier. Also, those people who fall in the categories a to d stated above are eligible to apply for “Designated Activities (6 months)” before the current visa expires.
2. Former international student who is seeking employment or whose employment is suspended
A former student who is already on “Designated Activities” to looking for a job or whose employment is suspended, and meet any of the following conditions are permitted to extend their current visa.
a. Former international student who is seeking employment
Normally, graduates are permitted 1 year to seek employment from the day of graduation. However, this period can be extended longer than 1 year if the person has a difficulty in the job seeking activity and wish to remain in Japan to continue the activity.
b. Former international student on “Designated Activities” visa because his/her employment is suspended
Normally, former international students who have confirmed employment are required to start working within 1 year from the day of confirmation, or 18 months from the day of graduation. However, this period can be extended if the person is in the special conditions due to the Corona crisis such as postponement of the day of employment.
For both a. and b. above, submit an application for extension of period of stay and a statement of reason written by the applicant to the Regional Immigration Services Bureau.
3. Person who is on working holiday visa
It is not commonly known, but working holiday visa is one kind of “Designated Activities” visa. A person who is on working holiday visa to stay in Japan, and has a difficulty to return to his/her country is eligible for the following arrangement.
a. Person who is on working holiday visa (Designated Activities) and has difficult to return to home country
A person who wishes to remain in Japan and continue working holiday activity is permitted to extend period of stay. To apply, submit an application for extension of period of stay and documents that proves the difficulty to return to home country to the Regional Immigration Services Bureau.
b. Former working holiday visa holder with “Temporary Visitor” visa who wishes to switch his/her visa to working holiday again due to the difficulty to return to home country
Such a person is eligible to switch his/her visa to working holiday (Designated Activities) again. To apply, submit an application for change of status of residence and documents that proves the difficulty to return to home country to the Regional Immigration Services Bureau.
For both a. and b. above, 6 months of period of stay will be granted.
4. Person who is staying in Japan as an EPA trainee nurse or care worker.
Indonesian, Philippine or Vietnam nationals with “Designated Activities” as EPA trainee nurses or care workers who have a difficulty to return their home countries are eligible for the following arrangements.
a. Person who did not pass the national examination as designated under the agreement, thus could not be entitled to special extension of period of stay in this fiscal year, and have a difficulty to return to home country due to the Corona crisis.
b. Person with “Designated Activities” visa by special extension of period of stay who could not pass the national examination in last fiscal year and have a difficulty to return to home country.
Both a. and b. above are permitted to extend their period of stay if they continue their works with current employees. To apply, submit an application for extension of period of stay, documents that prove the difficulty to return home country, and written a material that proves the applicant continues the current work with the same employer (e.g. statement of reason written by the employer) to the Regional Immigration Services Bureau.
Stay strong against the Corona virus
While the Corona disaster rampage across the world, many foreign residents have lost their jobs, had their new jobs cancelled, and are having a trouble to return to their home countries. Such people may be able to apply for “Designated Activities (6 months)” visa as a countermeasure, but they may be eligible to a special arrangement that allow them to remain in Japan with their current visa, or extend their period of stay beyond originally permitted duration. If you meet the conditions mentioned in this column, think about staying with your current visa extending period of stay.
Note that, in order to apply for these arrangements, your will need your valid passport, residence card and ID photo in addition to an application form and other documents.
