Understanding the Status of Residence “Temporary Visitor” in Japan

Specific Activities for “Short-term Stay”

• The Status of Residence “Temporary Visitor” is designed for individuals engaging in short-term activities, including sightseeing, visiting relatives, and attending meetings.
• It’s important to note that any activities that result in “remuneration,” as defined by the Immigration Services Agency, are not permitted under this status.
• For individuals coming to Japan to take on a managerial role in a Japanese corporation and receiving compensation for their services, even if it’s for short-term activities related to business management like meetings or liaison work, they will be classified under the Status of Residence “Business/Management” rather than as a “Temporary Visitor.”

Renewal of the Status of Residence “Temporary Visitor”

– Generally, renewing the Status of Residence “Temporary Visitor” is not allowed.

• However, in exceptional cases involving humanitarian reasons, such as a traffic accident or sudden illness after arrival in Japan requiring hospitalization in a Japanese hospital, renewal of the Status of Residence “Temporary Visitor” may be considered.
• If a foreign national stays in Japan beyond the expiration date of their Status of Residence “Temporary Visitor” without appropriate renewal or change of status, they are considered to be residing in Japan illegally.
• Individuals with special circumstances requiring an extension of their Status of Residence “Temporary Visitor” should directly contact the nearest immigration office.
• It’s essential to understand that even in countries or regions with visa waiver arrangements allowing stays of up to 6 months, exceeding 90 days without prior renewal is not permitted.

[Link to Exemption of Visa for Countries and Regions (Ministry of Foreign Affairs website)]
(https://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/short/novisa.html)

Timing of Departure When Applying for Another Status of Residence

• A common misconception is that if a person arrives in Japan under the Status of Residence “Temporary Visitor” and applies for a different Status of Residence during their stay, they can remain in Japan until the application result is released.
• This is a significant misunderstanding, and travelers should not be misled by false information.
• Regardless of whether the application result is available by the expiration date or not, if someone entered Japan under the Status of Residence “Temporary Visitor,” they must depart Japan by the expiration date of that status.
• Staying beyond the Status of Residence “Temporary Visitor” expiration date is considered illegal residence, which can be disadvantageous for future status examinations. Thus, it is imperative to adhere to the authorized period of stay during the application process.