getting a new visa: part two

when you begin the process of getting a new visa (aka turn in all the paperwork) they have you address a postcard to yourself, which they will send when your paperwork has been cleared and they also staple a paper in your passport to show that you are "in process," if by some chance you go stopped or questioned. that paper in your passport says the process usually takes a month but it also says, if your current visa expires and two months pass, you will be considered an illegal alien, even if no judgment has been made on your application. scare tactics. and covering their asses probably.

either way, i wasn't too worried; my paperwork was easily accepted and i was only changing from one work visa to another. still, when i came home yesterday, only 6 days after i went to the immigration bureau, to my postcard in my mailbox, i was pleasantly surprised.

so this afternoon, i made my way to shinagawa and got on the bus with several dozen other foreigners (it's like between the station exit and the bus stop, you've been transported through some invisible portal and are somewhere that is not japan, but still probably asia) all headed to the immigration office.

i knew i needed a 4000yen stamp for my "change in residence status" but figured i'd go ahead and buy the 6000yen re-entry permit since at some point i'll be traveling outside japan. the convenience store on the first floor of the building must make a killing; people come in to get their stamps, knowing they will have to wait forever upstairs so they pick up drinks and snacks to tide themselves over.

upstairs, i handed over my passport and postcard and got my number: 410. i took a step back from the counter to look at the numbers overhead: 350. i thought, "oh great...this could be awhile...." and i sat down. after about 10 minutes of nothing, suddenly they called about 6 or 7 numbers all together. i got my hopes up before they proceeded to jump all over the place, though never anything over 400.

an hour later, the numbers crept over 400 and soon they called 410. the man at the counter did a double check of my passport and new visa, but then just so nonchalantly handed it to me. "here is your three year visa." thank you very much.

i walked over to the re-entry permit counter. fill out the paperwork, grab a number, wait. there were 10 people ahead of me and 10 minutes later, i had a nice new 3 year re-entry permit (they automatically match the expiration date to the date on your current visa). another van houten cocoa from the conbini and out to the bus stop.

thanks immigration, it was about as painless and speedy as i could have hoped for, but i'm definitely glad i don't have to see you for another three years.

officially a legal alien. woohoo.