The Bureau, the one that every foreign resident should already be familiar with, which is not the FBI, but the Immigration Bureau of Japan. In my case, it was the Tokyo Regional Immigration Bureau.
I went there on Monday which took more than 4 hours before I was allowed to enter the building. This was the longest waiting time I had ever experienced. However, since it was my last time dealing with Immigration, I took it without complaint.
My application for permanent residence was approved last week. The new residence card I got is valid for the next 7 years. Considering it’s highly possible that I will become a Japanese citizen, unless I physically lose my residence card I don’t need to come to Immigration anymore.
Speaking of the Immigration Bureau, most people don’t like them for various reasons like their arrogant attitude, refugee policies, or simply being too crowded. As I mentioned above, visiting Immigration is indeed not an enjoyable experience. They treated me nicely multiple times. People’s sayings including some so-called professionals’ never match my real life experience.
When I was in Shimane, the visa I had was a temporary student one that couldn’t be extended. The university I was attending didn’t inform me in advance at all. People persuaded me to go home. Legal specialists told me they had never seen anyone who successfully extend this kind of visa.
I applied for an extension anyway. Besides the documents they required, I attached a letter trying to explain the whole situation. The extension was approved which surprised everyone. It was such a surprise that I was far more excited than this time.
The surprise happened again. Despite that, my qualification was a little weak, and my friend who is also my guarantor just lost his job. My application for permanent residence was approved as smooth as butter. What’s more, the examination period was extremely short. From submitting documents to getting the result, it took under 4 months while average applicants need wait at least 8. Before the application, I did a lot of research, but I never heard it could be this fast.
This time I also attached a letter explaining the relationship between my friend and I. In it, I explained why he lost his job and why I believed he was still able to be my guarantor.
I think there are two reasons why Immigration treats me well every time. They were either attracted by my handsome good looks, or the more realistic one, they were convinced by the letters I attached.