Immigrations concerns ...?

[Aphid]

I was in Japan for three months in the summer of 2003. I stumbled upon a job in Tokyo ... I wasn't particularly looking for one, but I' guess I'm just a lucky gal. The company requested that I return to Japan for the fall/winter while they worked out getting my visa. So, after returning to the US for about 3 weeks I went back to Japan for another 3 months. They company was not able to get the visa, so I returned to the US. About 11 months later I decided to go back to Japan for another 3 months to visit my friends.

When I was trying to leave to airport in the US there was some sort of problem with my passport, but they let me fly anyway. When I arrived in Japan there was a problem with my passport again. I got pulled aside (to the "beat down" room) and talked to about my connection to the company that had tried to get me ythe visa the year before. Immigrations was really concerned about why I was coming to Japan, how much money did I have, why did I have so many documents (I'm an artist and always carry a personal sketchbook), and would I be returning to the US after my stay. Eventually they let me in...

It wasn't a terrible event, but it was a pain... And now I'm paranoid that things are going to get worse. It's been a little over 4 months since my return from that last trip, and I have decided to return to Japan for the summer. I fly in two weeks...

So, opinions. Is there anything I can do to make passing through immigrations more simple? Or am I just on a "suspicious gaijin" list, and I just have to deal? Is it possible they will just turn me around at the gate and not allow me in? Is there any official I can speak to before-hand to make sure I won't have problems?

Thanks!

[paulh]

I was in Japan for three months in the summer of 2003. I stumbled upon a job in Tokyo ... I wasn't particularly looking for one, but I' guess I'm just a lucky gal. The company requested that I return to Japan for the fall/winter while they worked out getting my visa. So, after returning to the US for about 3 weeks I went back to Japan for another 3 months. They company was not able to get the visa, so I returned to the US. About 11 months later I decided to go back to Japan for another 3 months to visit my friends.

When I was trying to leave to airport in the US there was some sort of problem with my passport, but they let me fly anyway. When I arrived in Japan there was a problem with my passport again. I got pulled aside (to the "beat down" room) and talked to about my connection to the company that had tried to get me ythe visa the year before. Immigrations was really concerned about why I was coming to Japan, how much money did I have, why did I have so many documents (I'm an artist and always carry a personal sketchbook), and would I be returning to the US after my stay. Eventually they let me in...

It wasn't a terrible event, but it was a pain... And now I'm paranoid that things are going to get worse. It's been a little over 4 months since my return from that last trip, and I have decided to return to Japan for the summer. I fly in two weeks...

So, opinions. Is there anything I can do to make passing through immigrations more simple? Or am I just on a "suspicious gaijin" list, and I just have to deal? Is it possible they will just turn me around at the gate and not allow me in? Is there any official I can speak to before-hand to make sure I won't have problems?

Thanks!

From your post I can only assume you were coming here on 90 day tourist visas and looking for work.

I cant tell with more information about why the original company was turned down the first time (did you have a degree to get a work visa)

What did immigration say was the problem with a visa? Anyone can come to Japan on a tourist visa, as long as the intention is not to come here to work. It is hard to tell from your post what the problem is both on the American side and the japanese side.

I dont really believe lightning strikes twice in the same place, but it appears to me to be a lack of preparation on both counts as you were not able to get a work visa the first time, and you got held up over visa issues the second time.

What can you do? Make sure you carry enough money to last you over a 3 month tourist visa, you havea return plane ticket, you have a place to stay and dont look as though you have come to look for a job on a tourist visa, which is illegal and can get you sent back on the next plane.

[Aphid]

[QUOTE=paulh]From your post I can only assume you were coming here on 90 day tourist visas and looking for work.
QUOTE]

I guess that's how immigrations feels too... Really I just work in the US, save money, then vacation in Japan for three months at a time (I always stay for the maximum because it seems like the best use of my money). I crash with friends, and have a million little ways of saving money while I am there so I can afford it just fine... I've more or less given up on the long term visa thing.

The first time I was there on vacation I met someone who a week later sent me an email saying "I got you a job!" ...So I met the owner of the company and he indeed wanted to hire me.

I guess I'm got in trouble over the next time I came in, because I returned right away and during that trip the company started applying for my visa... Which looks a lot like I came into the country looking for work...

But, a year later they did let me in with somewhat minor questioning ... I'm worried now to be returning so soon , I've only been away for about 4 or 5 months... I guess it's just going to come down to which way the wind is blowing. I suspect it'll be fine.

[paulh]

[QUOTE=paulh]FrI guess I'm got in trouble over the next time I came in, because I returned right away and during that trip the company started applying for my visa... Which looks a lot like I came into the country looking for work...

But, a year later they did let me in with somewhat minor questioning ... I'm worried now to be returning so soon , I've only been away for about 4 or 5 months... I guess it's just going to come down to which way the wind is blowing. I suspect it'll be fine.

If someone is sponsoring your visa you are not supposed to leave the country while your visa is being processed. the only exception is if you have to go to Korea to change from a tourist visa to a work visa. It would be highly suspicious if you got someone to do the paperwork and then left the country and didnt turn up to collect your visa from immigration.

There is no problem with coming here on a tourist visa, as Americans can not get working holiday visas and have to get sponsorship either in Japan or be hired in the US.

As long as you do things by the book, cross all your "t's" and don't dic-k them when getting a work visa around you shouldnt have any problems. immigration here is a law unto themselves and its not a good idea to get on the wrong side of them as they can make life very unpleasant for you. Not a good idea to work on a tourist visa either, as that can lead to many problems as well.