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JR pass and valid student visa but not in use

moriko
moriko
almost 11 years ago
2 responses

Hello,

I was an exchange student in Japan for 6 months and left Japan. I want to go back and travelusing the JR Pass but am not sure if I am eligible for it because my student visa and landing permission is valid for one year and has not expired. When I re-enter Japan, I am not sure if I will be issued a temporary visitor visa or if I will enter based on my student visa and landing permission.

Should I still buy the JR Pass exchange order?

Thank you.

avatar
Daniel-san
18830 posts
almost 11 years ago
Expert

Hi there,

This may or may not be a bit of a problem. In order to make use of a JR Pass, you have to enter Japan under a 90-day tourist visa.

There are a couple of things you could do here:

-Ask the customs person to place a tourist visa in your passport when you enter Japan. This require you to abandon your student visa however.

-Get a new passport, this means you won't have any visas at all, meaning you will get a new visa.

-Contact the Japanese embassy beforehand and apply for a tourist visa. While this is not necessary for many countries, you can still do it.

-If you do enter Japan under a tourist visa, submit an application for change of status of recidence.

What I would do is contact your local embassy and ask them what the easiest way would be to enter Japan under a tourist visa. I don't think it will involve a lot of work but it is good to know beforehand.

I hope this helps,
Daniel

moriko
moriko
2 posts
almost 11 years ago

Hi Daniel,

Thank you so much for you reply! It helps a lot. One question, on the fourth point did you mean if I enter with a student visa? Or do I need to change my status of residence even if I enter with a tourist visa?

Thank you again!
Moriko

avatar
Daniel-san
18830 posts
almost 11 years ago
Expert

Hi Moriko,

Sorry if the last part was not clear, you can submit a change of residence application only when you are already in Japan. I mentioned this option as one you can use if you enter Japan under a student visa but want to make use of the JR Pass (and thus change your visa status to tourist).


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