On 26 Jul 2003 04:12:57 -0700, olivier_paumier@yahoo.fr (Olivier
Paumier) belched the alphabet and kept on going with:

>Hi everybody,
>
>I am currently in Japan with a work visa that will expire in
>september, the 13th. As I am married with a Japanese since last year
>I'd like to change to a spouse visa.

You could/should have done this last year then, don't you think?

>I suppose there are a few people in this newsgroup which are familiar
>with such a procedure.

Several.

>How long will it take ? 

There is probably some difference depending where you live and how
busy your nearest immigration office is. I use the one in Takasaki. I
got a spouse visa many years ago and don't recall how long it took.
Not too terribly long, though. My most recent visa renewal was very
quick and easy. I was in the immigration office about 15 minutes. The
approval came about a week or so later.

>If it should take too long, do I have better
>first extend my current visa ?

You probably needn't worry about it, unless you think you won't be
approved for a spouse visa. Just go ahead and apply for the change of
visa. If your work visa expires before the spouse visa is approved,
you're still alright. They will stamp in your passport that you have
applied for a change of status.

>Who can become my guarantor and can I use the letter of guarantee
>printed of the MOFA home page ?
>
>Every bit of advice is welcome (documents necessary...), if possible
>I'd like to go only once to the immigration office.

Have you tried having your wife telephone the nearest immigration
office and ask for the actual, correct information? It is much more
comforting to have their information than ours.





--

Michael Cash



"There was a time, Mr. Cash, when I believed you must be the most useless
thing in the world. But that was before I read a Microsoft help file."

                                Prof. Ernest T. Bass
                                Mount Pilot College


http://www.sunfield.ne.jp/~mike/