Japan - Any leeway for max visa duration due to unforeseen circumstances?
I plan to go to Japan on a regular tourist visa, which is valid for 90 days. I was wondering what the consequences are of missing the return flight (assuming I wasn't at fault, like a cancelled flight, or illness preventing me from travelling, etc.).
Should I take that into account and only book 85 days, or are they understanding if the cause for the delay is out of my control?
For the sake of argument assume I am not a citizen of one of the six countries which can extend the tourist visa by another 90 days while in Japan.
Best Answer
Assuming you have not yet passed through the exit passport control, visit your nearest immigration office before your allowed period of stay expires and explain the situation (if you are so incapacitated as to be unable to go in time, at least get someone to call them).
If your reason can be construed as legitimate, they will just hand you an Application for Extension of Period of Stay form, you fill it, you go to a nearby convenience store or post office to purchase the required revenue stamps, and they'll give you the necessary extension to catch your flight (and no more).
Usual caveats, the risk of having an application denied is never zero, blah blah. In reality, as long as you are honest and not trying to game the system, they have no interest in making your life difficult. This is not the UK.
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Can I extend my Japanese visa?
You have to apply to extend the period of your stay in Japan before your current visa expires. You may submit a Japan Visa Extension application up to three months (90 days) before the date your visa is set to expire.How long can you overstay your visa in Japan?
Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act. stipulates that any overstayer may be put into custody, deported from Japan and will be rejected to enter in Japan for at least 5 years after the date of deportation.What is the longest visa you can get for Japan?
There is a different time limit for each type of visa. Generally, tourist visas will stay valid for up to 90 days from the day you land in Japan. There are other visas that will be good beyond 90 days up to five years. Make sure your visit to Japan is planned before the expiry date so that you can use your visa.How long can you legally stay in Japan without a visa?
If you visit Japan as a tourist and plan to stay for less than three months (*1) without engaging in work or other paid activities, in many cases, a visa is not required.Visiting visa process for japan in nepali
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Answer 2
Japan has outbound passport control at the airport, so the big question will be when your flight is cancelled and which side of the passport control desk you are standing on when your visa expires.
If your departure flight is cancelled before you get to the airport you will not get a boarding pass, will therefore not get past security and therefore will not be able to "depart" the country.
If your departure flight is cancelled at the gate, then you are fine. You have a boarding pass, you presented your passport to immigration who stamped "Departed" right beside your tourist visa. You have now officially left Japan. If your airline declines to take you anywhere, immigration will either re-admit you to the country or suggest some place in the terminal building.
Your gamble is which one of those will happen.
If you are on the last day of your visa and the first case happens, you had better hope immigration is in a good mood, because they have NO obligation to do anything for you at this point. Or you buy a same-day ticket to anywhere else.
Just book a departing flight at 85 days. Especially if you are coming in typhoon season (June-October).
If you (or future readers) are thinking of cutting it close, don't forget that "90 days" and "3 months" are NOT the same.
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