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Re: Flying with two passports
Posted: Wed Nov 27, 2024 8:42 am
by RetireJapan
deezy wrote: ↑Wed Nov 27, 2024 8:38 am
I was asked for mine this year and it was scanned with a reader.I thought the zairyu card now functioned as the reentry permit as you no longer have to get a reentry permit stamped in your passport if you are returning within 1 year. Or is that just for permanent residents?
Might depend on the airport I guess! The re-entry permit is the paper embarkation/disembarkation thing (plus I'm guessing they have it digitally on their system).
Re: Flying with two passports
Posted: Wed Nov 27, 2024 2:18 pm
by Deep Blue
Yeah, I didn't take PR and I still have to fill out those little paper forms each time I leave/return.
Re: Flying with two passports
Posted: Thu Nov 28, 2024 2:28 am
by RetireJapan
Deep Blue wrote: ↑Wed Nov 27, 2024 2:18 pm
Yeah, I didn't take PR and I still have to fill out those little paper forms each time I leave/return.
I've had PR since 2008 and have filled in the little paper form every time I leave Japan. Would love for them to get rid of that
Re: Flying with two passports
Posted: Thu Nov 28, 2024 4:20 am
by TokyoWart
deezy wrote: ↑Wed Nov 27, 2024 8:38 am
RetireJapan wrote: ↑Wed Nov 27, 2024 7:50 am
Don't think I have ever been asked coming back. They need to ask on the way out if you want to use the one year return system. Not sure if they check if you have a reentry permit -it's been a while.
I was asked for mine this year and it was scanned with a reader.I thought the zairyu card now functioned as the reentry permit as you no longer have to get a reentry permit stamped in your passport if you are returning within 1 year. Or is that just for permanent residents?
I have PR and make a bit more than a dozen overseas trips each year. I'm always asked for my zairyu card when leaving the country but have never been asked to show it on return. However, I frequently get asked for it when I check in for the flight that is heading to Japan. I fill out the paper slips Ben mentioned each time.
Re: Flying with two passports
Posted: Thu Nov 28, 2024 6:27 am
by captainspoke
TokyoWart wrote: ↑Thu Nov 28, 2024 4:20 am... However, I frequently get asked for it when I check in for the flight that is heading to Japan. ...
Yes, you might not get past checkin without some evidence that you won't cause them headaches on arrival.
Re: Flying with two passports
Posted: Thu Nov 28, 2024 10:46 am
by Tkydon
Visitors on Tourist and Short-Term Visas have to fill out the Departure Card stapled into their passport, the other half of their Arrival Slip that they filled out on entry to Japan. The Bar Code is tied to the Zairyu Immigration Database, and proves they departed in a timely manner.
Don't enter on a Japanese Passport and try to leave on a Foreign Passport... There is no Zairyu Immigration Database entry for that foreign passport.
You should still have the Final Departure Slip from when you originally arrived in Japan, but many people lose them.
Every Foreign Resident has to fill out the Departure Slip at Immigration, regardless of status.
You indicate whether you plan to return to Japan or not. See note above about loss of original Entry Departure Card.
If you indicate that you do not plan to return to Japan, then you have to show proof that you completed the Exit Procedures, and they cancel your Zairyu Card.
If you indicate that you do plan to return to Japan, then:
You indicate whether you plan to return to Japan within 1 Year, or whether you plan to stay out of Japan longer than 365 days.
If you indicate that you plan to return to Japan within 1 Year, and you do not have a Single or Multiple Re-Entry Permit issued by Immigration, then they will issue a Special Re-Entry Permit valid for the shorter of the Expiry Date of your Zairyu Card or 365 Days (Non Extendable).
The Immigration Official needs to check the Expiry Date of your Zairyu Card to determine whether you have a full 365 Days or not.
If you do not return to Japan before your Special Re-Entry Permit expires, your status is cancelled.
If you indicate that you do plan to return to Japan but not within 1 Year, then you need to have a Re-Entry Permit (Single or Multiple) issued by Immigration, valid for the shorter of the Expiry Date of your Zairyu Card or 5 Years (Extendable abroad under extenuating circumstances).
The Immigration Official needs to check the Expiry Date of your Zairyu Card to determine how long you have left on your Zairyu Card.
If you do not return to Japan before your Re-Entry Permit expires, your status is cancelled. If you realise you are not going to be able to return to Japan before your Re-Entry Permit expires, you can apply at the local Embassy or Consulate for an extension of the Re-Entry Permit up to a maximum of 1 more year.
The Barcodes on the Departure and Arrival Cards are entered into the Zairyu Immigration Database for every trip into and out of Japan and matched against the Re-Entry Permit. If you do not return to Japan before your Re-Entry Permit expires, your status is immediately cancelled, and they send a notice to the Ward Office to terminate your Juminhyo, and everything...
This was a big problem for many people during/after the COVID Lock Down.
Re: Flying with two passports
Posted: Thu Nov 28, 2024 10:49 am
by Tkydon
captainspoke wrote: ↑Thu Nov 28, 2024 6:27 am
TokyoWart wrote: ↑Thu Nov 28, 2024 4:20 am... However, I frequently get asked for it when I check in for the flight that is heading to Japan. ...
Yes, you might not get past checkin without some evidence that you won't cause them headaches on arrival.
Yes, the airline needs to make sure you have right of entry at the destination; Visa Waiver, Visa, Residence with Re-Entry Permit, or Citizenship.
Otherwise, if you are denied entry, the airline will be forced to repatriate you at their expense, and they don't like that...
Re: Flying with two passports
Posted: Thu Nov 28, 2024 1:02 pm
by Deep Blue
Tkydon wrote: ↑Thu Nov 28, 2024 10:46 am
Visitors on Tourist and Short-Term Visas have to fill out the Departure Card stapled into their passport, the other half of their Arrival Slip that they filled out on entry to Japan. The Bar Code is tied to the Zairyu Immigration Database, and proves they departed in a timely manner.
Don't enter on a Japanese Passport and try to leave on a Foreign Passport... There is no Zairyu Immigration Database entry for that foreign passport.
You should still have the Final Departure Slip from when you originally arrived in Japan, but many people lose them.
Every Foreign Resident has to fill out the Departure Slip at Immigration, regardless of status.
You indicate whether you plan to return to Japan or not. See note above about loss of original Entry Departure Card.
If you indicate that you do not plan to return to Japan, then you have to show proof that you completed the Exit Procedures, and they cancel your Zairyu Card.
If you indicate that you do plan to return to Japan, then:
You indicate whether you plan to return to Japan within 1 Year, or whether you plan to stay out of Japan longer than 365 days.
If you indicate that you plan to return to Japan within 1 Year, and you do not have a Single or Multiple Re-Entry Permit issued by Immigration, then they will issue a Special Re-Entry Permit valid for the shorter of the Expiry Date of your Zairyu Card or 365 Days (Non Extendable).
The Immigration Official needs to check the Expiry Date of your Zairyu Card to determine whether you have a full 365 Days or not.
If you do not return to Japan before your Special Re-Entry Permit expires, your status is cancelled.
If you indicate that you do plan to return to Japan but not within 1 Year, then you need to have a Re-Entry Permit (Single or Multiple) issued by Immigration, valid for the shorter of the Expiry Date of your Zairyu Card or 5 Years (Extendable abroad under extenuating circumstances).
The Immigration Official needs to check the Expiry Date of your Zairyu Card to determine how long you have left on your Zairyu Card.
If you do not return to Japan before your Re-Entry Permit expires, your status is cancelled. If you realise you are not going to be able to return to Japan before your Re-Entry Permit expires, you can apply at the local Embassy or Consulate for an extension of the Re-Entry Permit up to a maximum of 1 more year.
The Barcodes on the Departure and Arrival Cards are entered into the Zairyu Immigration Database for every trip into and out of Japan and matched against the Re-Entry Permit. If you do not return to Japan before your Re-Entry Permit expires, your status is immediately cancelled, and they send a notice to the Ward Office to terminate your Juminhyo, and everything...
This was a big problem for many people during/after the COVID Lock Down.
It’s all utter bullshit and completely unnecessary. Does any other developed world country have this type of nonsense system?
Re: Flying with two passports
Posted: Fri Nov 29, 2024 2:46 am
by Tkydon
Deep Blue wrote: ↑Thu Nov 28, 2024 1:02 pm
It’s all utter bullshit and completely unnecessary. Does any other developed world country have this type of nonsense system?
You may think so, The Japanese Government does not think so.
Bureaucracy is Bureaucracy anywhere in the world, but you have no option but to comply.
We are not empowered to change the system. Only to inform you of the restrictions you must comply with.
Re: Flying with two passports
Posted: Fri Nov 29, 2024 6:51 am
by deezy
Well, it's certainly easier now. When I first came here you needed to get a reentry visa stamped in your passport that was only valid for 1 year, and you had to go to an immigration office to get it.