I need advice on how to stay in Japan from Jan until June while not working or working part-time on an instructor visa. Thank you for your help in advance:
My Instructor visa expires in 3 years. I am leaving my teaching position end of Dec 2025. From Jan until Jun 2026, I want to live in Japan either working part-time or not working at all.
I understand that I can only legally stay in Japan unemployed for 3 months with an instructor visa. But I heard that as long as you keep proof for the immigration bureau that you are continuously job searching, you can extend the time by over 3 months? (1) Do you think this is a viable option for me?
I was also thinking — (2) can I change my instructor visa to an artist visa? Perhaps starting now, so it's ready before the end of March? (I am an active artist with work and articles to prove my artistry dating back a few years, plus I have a bachelor's degree)
How can I stay in Japan worry-free about my visa status from January until June 2026?
Thank you
by Loud-Commercial1739