nippon
So You're Thinking of Overstaying Your Visa

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CHAPTERS

[ Introduction to Visas & Immigration(s) | "Horror" Stories | Gin's Story | Fact or Fiction? ]

Fiction
-I haven't done anything wrong, so Immigration cannot deny me entry.
Good job on having done nothing wrong - you probably will be able to enter Japan without an issue, even if you are of Chinese or Korea descent! However it is never true that Immigration cannot deny entry. Immigration's right to deny any foreigner entry at any time without any reason is protected by law. Do not forget this!

-Immigration cannot tell a lie.
Not only can Immigration lie to you, but the officers are often INSTRUCTED to tell lies to get foreigners off Immigration's hands. I was blatantly lied to and I trusted what I was told, which almost resulted in being refused entry to Japan (I could have been refused and it would have had NOTHING to do with my previous exile. This can happen to ANYONE!)

-Going to Korea to renew a visa is always safe to do.
No! Due to school or job dragging their heels on visa procendures, foreign teachers and students often have to come to Japan on a 90-day or temporary visa. Often in order to change this visa or extend it, it has been popular to take a trip to Korea (the closest and cheapest country to go to) and re-enter Japan in order to get a new 90-day or temporary visa. Yes, this does work - the first and MAYBE second time. The third time in a row you will PROBABLY NOT BE LET BACK INTO THE COUNTRY. Also, are you Asian or Black or otherwise NOT WHITE in appeance? Doesn't matter what your passport says you are - IMMIGRATION CAN DENY ANY FOREIGNER ENTRY AT ANY TIME WITHOUT ANY REASON TO DO SO. It's law!

-Japan loves Americans!
Wrong. Japan loves TOURISTS - we bring the monies! And yeah, plenty of Japanese are infatuated with America, just as plenty of the world is infatuated with Japan (and why some of us end up here knowing nothing about it). But still - wrong! Americans or any person "Western" in any way will still have plenty of racism excersised against them - I know I have. In many cases it's easier to be racist to a non-Asian foreigner, because we are so obviously not Japanese! (How many people have been snubbed by the guys handing out tissues in Ikebukuro? It's company policy they can't hand tissues out to foreigners - but Asian foreigners get lucky here! Still, every time they snub me I want to punch them in the face...)


Fact
-Japanese Immigration Policy is based on American Immigration Policy.
Yep - If you've read all of this and winced and groaned and thought about how mean Japanese Immigration has been to me and others, think about this - they got all their tricks and ideas from American Immigration. As an American citizen I never would have known much about American Immigration's Policies, until I was able to share my stories with non-Americans in America who have had similar experiences - in America! Just as I was ignorant, so are most Japanese people, and maybe reading this will make you interested in reading up on your own country's Immigration Policy. How does it shape up in comparison?

-Immigration will be especially hard on Asians, regardless of nationality.
Whereas American Immigration is probably being really hard on Mexicans and anybody who looks Middle Eastern as I write this, Japan is being especially hard on anybody Chinese, Korean, Non-Japanese Asian, etc. Racism is a real thing in any country you visit. Know which countries will be racist against you and don't give them an excuse to be!

-If you overstay your visa and take the punishment, it will still continue to affect you - forever.
Japan is a "one chance country". Make a mistake once and you are basically finished. Don't piss them off.... and don't overstay your damn visa!