I have read that you do NOT need a toursit visa to get in to Japan, only a US passport. I looked up this on the japanese consulate website and it is true. However I have heard of americans being able to get their tourist visa changed into a working visa while in Japan. However now that there are no visas needed, would that still be possible?

It may be possible, but that seems like an unlikely scenario. If you have a job set up before you go to Japan, you should get a work visa before you go. If you don't have a job set up, I think it would be tough to find one in the limited time you have as a tourist.

I'll leave it to someone else to answer the specifics who is more knowledgeable about this.

You don't have to get a visa in advance to go to Japan. US citizens can automatically get a 90-day tourist visa when they go through immigration. There has been no recent change in immigration policy as far as I know.

Stop stop stop.
US citizens and other participating countries do not get tourist visas but "visa waivers" allowing the stay for 90 days.

Its not the same as a tourist visa.

Regardless, given the situation with foreign employment in Japan, I think it would be extremely unusual for someone who was unable to get a work visa to find work in 90 days that you would actually want to do.

sikieiki Wrote:Stop stop stop.
US citizens and other participating countries do not get tourist visas but "visa waivers" allowing the stay for 90 days.

Its not the same as a tourist visa.

What's the difference?

sikieiki Wrote:Stop stop stop.
US citizens and other participating countries do not get tourist visas but "visa waivers" allowing the stay for 90 days.

Its not the same as a tourist visa.

If you're gonna be nitpicky, it's not like what you're saying is 100% accurate. You don't get a visa waiver--you don't get anything at all. Japan has a visa exemption agreement with the United States, so nothing is required for you to stay in the country for 90 days as long as they permit you entry (they can assign a time of less than 90 days depening on what you tell the immigration officer about your purpose and period of entering the country).

However, you can apply for an extention of stay if you need to stay for longer. In which case, I'm actually not sure what happens, but my guess is that they give you a visa that lists your reason for staying (even if it's tourism).

I'm an American and I had a six month visa 'for cultural activities' at one point.

Extensions are not possible in most cases. They are only for countries with 6 month waivers (you get 3 months and then apply for the second 3 months) or for emergencies (such as being hospitalized). Wanting to do more sightseeing is not sufficient.

Tourist visas are for people from countries with no waiver agreement, for people who are afraid that they may be denied a waiver (due to a prior deportation etc), or to allow a longer stay than the waiver allows (some countries only give you a week waiver).

Entering the country on a 短期滞在 (waiver), finding a job, and changing to a work visa is probably how most western foreigners get jobs here, but it's not the best way obviously as there is no way to guarantee you'll find a company willing to sponsor you.

Also, going to the immigration office with a return ticket to your country greatly increases your chances of getting an extension until that date.

use the 90 days to find a hot girl and marry her. visa problem solved next question!

Any girl that would marry a random unemployed visa-less foreigner in less than 90 days is probably not a woman you'd want to marry. Unless you knocked her up that is.

In any case, you often need to prove validity of your relationship (as in, that it isn't a marriage of convenience) when applying for a marriage visa.

Jarvik7 Wrote:Any girl that would marry a random unemployed visa-less foreigner in less than 90 days is probably not a woman you'd want to marry. Unless you knocked her up that is.

In any case, you often need to prove validity of your relationship (as in, that it isn't a marriage of convenience) when applying for a marriage visa.

wait... I know someone like that lol. He impregnated a girl first day in the country, married just before his waiver needed renewed, has been together with her ever since. (18 months ish) so sometimes it does work. Although.. I wouldn't put money on it.

Marrying for love is a relatively recent fad. Doing so for practical goals is much more reasonable than the usual temporary hormonally induced insanity (If you think romantic love lasts forever, you are insane). Mixed-race children are sooooo beautiful as well!

Gingerninja Wrote:He impregnated a girl first day in the country

How did he manage that?

fakewookie Wrote:

Gingerninja Wrote:He impregnated a girl first day in the country

How did he manage that?

Met her at a bar.. I didn't ask details, but I think you can follow what happened next.

i have another question, is a 4 year degree required to just qualify for a work visa? if that is true then i am screwed, and will likely have to take the "get a woman knocked up" route when I go there

Three years of work experience in a field will substitute for a degree.