Michael Cash wrote:
> On Mon, 29 Mar 2004 00:44:54 +0900, me@privacy.net (Hendrik) brought
> down from the Mount tablets inscribed:
> 
> 
>>Hi (and to some, 'ohisashiburi'),
>>
>>it's midnight and "nyuukan" is not open, so i'll try my luck with a
>>certain always well-informed collective brain (aka fj.life.in-japan):
>>has anyone here ever hired someone from outside Japan, where that person
>>later took a longish leave of absence abroad (in their home country or
>>elsewhere) without losing their visa? If so, how long was that person
>>allowed to stay away from Japan? Hw was the visa/re-entry permit kept
>>valid?
>>
>>Thanks: Hendrik
> 
> Let me try to clarify that, then you tell me if I got it right:
> 
> "I used to work in Japan, but I left. I didn't get a re-entry permit,
> and my visa has expired. How can I get back into Japan without doing
> any paperwork?"
> 
> Is that what you're asking?

Nah - I'll bet you a goldfish and a hip flask of the finest poteen that 
what he is asking is - "how long can someone with a valid visa and a 
re-entry permit stay outside Japan?" For example if I received a 3 year 
visa tomorrow with re-entry permit, then for whatever reason left next 
week for 2 and a half years, would I be allowed back in, and if so, 
would I then be able to extend the visa (and leave again).... etc.

(oh and btw Hendrik, if you don't get answer from us, can you post the 
bureaucrats answer here after they open tommorrow just so that we know...)

-- 
"Oh don't give me none more of that Old Janx Spirit/ No, don't you give 
me none more of that Old Janx Spirit/ For my head will fly, my tongue 
will lie, my eyes will fry and I may die/ Won't you pour me one more of 
that sinful Old Janx Spirit"