My situation is a bit complicated, but I'll try to make it as brief as possible:
In May 2022, I went to Japan on a three-year Engineer/Humanities visa sponsored by the eikaiwa (Company A) that I worked for. In late 2022, I started working for a different company (Company B) which doesn't sponsor visas for people out of country, but is able to renew them for employees who are already living in Japan.
In July 2023, I left Japan to pursue a one-year master's degree. At the time, I wasn't sure if I would be coming back, but I wanted to leave my options open. At the airport, I explained as best I could that I planned to come back, but I wasn't sure exactly when it would be. The poor airport worker was understandably confused, but after about an hour of talking to different people and me paying 3,000 yen (I'm still not sure what this was for), I was told that I was good to go.
Now that I've completed my degree, my job prospects aren't looking great in my home country. Technically my visa is valid until May 2025, but I'm starting to worry that, because I've been out of Japan for so long, I won't be allowed back in on a work visa. Additionally, I've heard elsewhere that failing to report to the government that you are not employed in Japan while on a work visa is grounds for a hefty fine. Assuming I could resume employment with Company B (which is entirely feasible), does anybody think I would have trouble re-entering?
Any input/advice is greatly appreciated.
TL;DR – My English teaching visa doesn't expire until May 2025, but I've been out of Japan for over a year. Can I still enter on this visa?
by Clouds_and_Sunshine