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URGENT advice: current tourist visa exp feb 5/have applied for work visa... - Japan Forums
I have been in Japan for almost 180 days now on 2 tourist visas.
I was told I would not be allowed to re-enter on a third tourist visa.
My current visa expires Feb 5!!!
I have however found an employer who really wants me to teach English at her school, although I have no degree.
We applied for a work visa on Jan 8 and are waiting to hear the results.
What am I supposed to do in the meantime?!
Leave the country on the 5th to wait for news on the visa?
Or is there some way to extend my stay while I wait for the visa application to come through?
Leave and return immediately (Korea) and hope they let me in based on the fact that I have a pending work visa application?
I have heard more and more lately that I am unlikely to get the work visa - but regardless, I am not quite ready to leave permanently on the 5th!
I cannot get any firm information from anyone on this.
Please help.
If the work visa fails, I can perhaps get a culture visa since I am living and studying at a Zen temple.
But again, what happens while waiting for the application to be processed?
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When you applied for your visa the Immigration Dept would have put a stamp in your passport with an application number and date.
As far as I know you can stay while your visa application is pending.
This happened to me last year but I was extending my existing visa, not applying for a change of visa status.
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Quote: : I have been in Japan for almost 180 days now on 2 tourist visas.
I was told I would not be allowed to re-enter on a third tourist visa.
My current visa expires Feb 5!!!
I have however found an employer who really wants me to teach English at her school, although I have no degree.
We applied for a work visa on Jan 8 and are waiting to hear the results.
What am I supposed to do in the meantime?!
Leave the country on the 5th to wait for news on the visa?
Or is there some way to extend my stay while I wait for the visa application to come through?
Leave and return immediately (Korea) and hope they let me in based on the fact that I have a pending work visa application?
I have heard more and more lately that I am unlikely to get the work visa - but regardless, I am not quite ready to leave permanently on the 5th!
I cannot get any firm information from anyone on this.
Please help.
If the work visa fails, I can perhaps get a culture visa since I am living and studying at a Zen temple.
But again, what happens while waiting for the application to be processed?
See this thread:
Oh my, Immigration is slow
http://forum.gaijinpot.com/showthread.php?t=58456
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Quote: : When you applied for your visa the Immigration Dept would have put a stamp in your passport with an application number and date.
As far as I know you can stay while your visa application is pending.
This happened to me last year but I was extending my existing visa, not applying for a change of visa status.
When I applied for a change of visa status they told me, "don`t leave".If you leave Japan you will lose the application process.
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I put too much faith in my employer I guess since I have no APPLICATION stamp in my passport and dont actually know what precisely I applied for;
If I applied for a change of status of residency, visa, certificate of eligibility or what!
But there is no stamp.
Mistake? I`m not even sure if I can get my return ticket to Canada changed in time to leave on Feb 5, when my tourist visa expires, so what happens then?
I will go tomorrow to immig office with a Japanese speaking friend and try to get some clarity and the magic stamp.
Thanks for the feedback.
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Quote: : I put too much faith in my employer I guess since I have no APPLICATION stamp in my passport and dont actually know what precisely I applied for;
If I applied for a change of status of residency, visa, certificate of eligibility or what!
But there is no stamp.
Mistake? I`m not even sure if I can get my return ticket to Canada changed in time to leave on Feb 5, when my tourist visa expires, so what happens then?
I will go tomorrow to immig office with a Japanese speaking friend and try to get some clarity and the magic stamp.
Thanks for the feedback.
If you have nostamp it means that immigration is not processing anything.
When you enter the country on a tourist visa it is replaced with a status of period of stay (in your case tourist) with an expiry date.
Appplications within Japan are to change your resident status.
COE is what you get when your application has been approved by immigration and they should have asked you to fill out a postcard with your address.
PS If you have no degree then your employer can not sponsor you and ipso facto the immigration can not issue a visa with no sponsor.
It doesnt matter what your employer promises you.
He just wants a warm body to teach his classes.
PPS immigration will not extend a tourist visa so you can wait out your application.
You can stay here IF an application is underway even though your tourist visa expires.
NO stamp and you are overstaying and here ILLEGALLY.
Expect to be detained and summarily deported if that happens.
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Quote: : PS If you have no degree then your employer can not sponsor you and ipso facto the immigration can not issue a visa with no sponsor.
It doesnt matter what your employer promises you.
He just wants a warm body to teach his classes.
So I thought, but it again seems as a case by case thing.
I was told by two well known schools that they couldn't sponsor me due to lacking a degree.
However someone I work with who has no degree has just started their application for a new visa by being sponsored by a small independent school.
I'm going to keep a close eye on this one.
Since I was told point blank being sponsored was a no go.
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Quote: : So I thought, but it again seems as a case by case thing.
I was told by two well known schools that they couldn't sponsor me due to lacking a degree.
However someone I work with who has no degree has just started their application for a new visa by being sponsored by a small independent school.
I'm going to keep a close eye on this one.
Since I was told point blank being sponsored was a no go.
Very much case by case, but it doesnt mean getting a visa/sponsorship is a foregone conclusion.
They can also reject the employer as a sponsor if there arent enough hours or salary is below a certain level, set by immigration.
People have got sponsored on salaries as low as 180,000 yen / month in the past.
The other person may also have 3 years work experience in which case a degree is not necessary for (Humanities) visa.
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Quote: : Very much case by case, but it doesnt mean getting a visa/sponsorship is a foregone conclusion.
They can also reject the employer as a sponsor if there arent enough hours or salary is below a certain level, set by immigration.
People have got sponsored on salaries as low as 180,000 yen / month in the past.
The other person may also have 3 years work experience in which case a degree is not necessary for (Humanities) visa.
But it also doesn't mean that you definitely won't get one either.
In my own case I'm applying for the visa via the 3 years experience route.
But in the case of the person I mentioned, they don't have the 3 years, are currently on a Working Holiday visa as well as being only a part time worker.
I will post here when I find out what happens to them for sure.
As I did say though, I was told by two of my employers that they couldn't sponsor me due to stipulations placed on them by immigration for staff who don't have a 3 year degree.
But I'm wondering why I can sponsor myself when essentially all I'm doing is doing the leg work that the employers said they can't..
A little odd indeed.
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Quote: : As I did say though, I was told by two of my employers that they couldn't sponsor me due to stipulations placed on them by immigration for staff who don't have a 3 year degree.
But I'm wondering why I can sponsor myself when essentially all I'm doing is doing the leg work that the employers said they can't..
A little odd indeed.
How the hell do you sponsor yourself with no degree?
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Quote: : How the hell do you sponsor yourself with no degree?
As said before, work experience in the relevant field of work can be used instead of applying on the basis that you only graduated.
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Quote: : But it also doesn't mean that you definitely won't get one either.
In my own case I'm applying for the visa via the 3 years experience route.
But in the case of the person I mentioned, they don't have the 3 years, are currently on a Working Holiday visa as well as being only a part time worker.
I will post here when I find out what happens to them for sure.
As I did say though, I was told by two of my employers that they couldn't sponsor me due to stipulations placed on them by immigration for staff who don't have a 3 year degree.
But I'm wondering why I can sponsor myself when essentially all I'm doing is doing the leg work that the employers said they can't..
A little odd indeed.
You don't sponsor yourself on the basis of that experience.
You simply bypass the requirements for a degree.
You still need the employer to agree to sponsor you.
Self-sponsorship comes a year after you've worked on a visa and wish to use 1 or more PT jobs for income instead of a FT job.
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Quote: : If you have nostamp it means that immigration is not processing anything.
When you enter the country on a tourist visa it is replaced with a status of period of stay (in your case tourist) with an expiry date.
Appplications within Japan are to change your resident status.
COE is what you get when your application has been approved by immigration and they should have asked you to fill out a postcard with your address.
PPS immigration will not extend a tourist visa so you can wait out your application.
You can stay here IF an application is underway even though your tourist visa expires.
NO stamp and you are overstaying and here ILLEGALLY.
Expect to be detained and summarily deported if that happens.
The only part correct here is that you run the risk of being detained and deported if you overstay.
The reason the OP doesn't have an application stamp in his passport is because his passport never went to immigration when his application for a COE was made.
To change from Temporary Visitor status to (I assume) Specialist in Humanities a COE is ALWAYS needed and no postcard needs to be filled out with your address.
Your sponsoring company will have received a long narrow strip of paper with the application number and date applied stamped on it and it is up to them to go back and pick up your COE when it is ready.
They should then contact you and send you off to immigration to hand the COE in for your new status of residence whatever that is.
If you don't get your COE and you can't go to immigration before the expiry date of your current visa then you have to leave the country or beg immigration for an extention while you wait and see what they say.
Don't be in the country with an expired visa in your passport
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Quote: : You don't sponsor yourself on the basis of that experience.
You simply bypass the requirements for a degree.
You still need the employer to agree to sponsor you.
Self-sponsorship comes a year after you've worked on a visa and wish to use 1 or more PT jobs for income instead of a FT job.
Then why was I told by two different employers that they couldn't sponsor even though I have the required experience as stated on immigration's own website that qualifies me for the visa?
Which has made me go down the self sponsor route.
Also I'm sure I did say just the other day, but you don't need to work part time in order to be able to self sponsor.
Immigration's only concern is your total earnings.
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Quote: : Then why was I told by two different employers that they couldn't sponsor even though I have the required experience as stated on immigration's own website that qualifies me for the visa?
Which has made me go down the self sponsor route.
Because some companies don't meet the requirements to sponsor visas.
Therefore they cannot sponsor anybody's visa.
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Quote: : Then why was I told by two different employers that they couldn't sponsor even though I have the required experience as stated on immigration's own website that qualifies me for the visa?
Which has made me go down the self sponsor route.
Also I'm sure I did say just the other day, but you don't need to work part time in order to be able to self sponsor.
Immigration's only concern is your total earnings.
Depending on which visa status you apply for you need a degree.
If you have 3 years experience you dont need a degree as such but you need one for Professors visa or an Instructors visa.
Which visa status are you applying to?
You havent mentioned how long you have been in Japan and ordinarily you cant self sponsor in your first year in Japan if you havent had a full work visa before.
I may be mistaken though.
PS Employers sometimes are ignorant about what is required for sponsoring visas or simply to lazy or simply dont want to sponsor you and it lets them off the hook even if you have experience.
Instructor
In cases where the applicant is to engage in instruction at a vocational school ("Kakushugakko") or an educational institution equivalent to it in facilities and curriculum or in cases where the applicant is to engage in instruction at other school with a capacity other than a "teacher", the following conditions are to be fulfilled.
However (a) is to be fulfilled in cases where the applicant is to engage in instruction at a vocational school or an educational institution equivalent to it in facilities and curriculum which is established to give the children with the status of residence "Diplomat" or "Official" mentioned in Annexed Table 1 (1) or "Dependent" mentioned in Annexed Table 1 (4) education of primary, junior and senior high school in foreign language.
The applicant must have graduated from or completed a college or acquired equivalent education, or must hold a license to teach the subject that he or she intends to teach in Japan.
When the applicant is planning on teaching a foreign language, he or she must have acquired education in that language for at least 12 years.
When the applicant is going to teach other subjects, he or she must have at least 5 years' teaching experience in that subject.
The applicant should receive no less salary than a Japanese national would receive for comparable work.
Specialist in Humanities/
International Services
The applicant must fulfill the following conditions.
However, these conditions shall not apply in cases where the applicant plans to engage in work involving proxy duties in procedures relating to international arbitration cases as designated in Article 58-2 of the Foreign Lawyer's Law (Law No.
66 of 1986).
When planning to engage in work requiring knowledge in the humanities, the applicant must have acquired the relevant knowledge by graduating from college majoring in a subject relevant to the knowledge required for performing the work concerned, or by receiving an equivalent or higher level of education, or by accumulating at least 10 years of practical experience in the planned work (including the period of time spent majoring in a subject related to the required knowledge at college, "Koto senmongakko", senior high school, the latter half of unified secondary school, or during specialized course of study at an advanced vocational school ("Senshugakko")).
When planning to engage in work requiring specific ways of thought or sensitivity based on experience with foreign culture, the applicant must fulfill the following conditions:
The applicant is to engage in translation, interpretation, language instruction, public relations, advertising, overseas transactions, fashion or interior design, product development, or other similar work.
The applicant must have at least 3 years of experience in work relating to the relevant job.
However, this does not apply if the applicant has graduated from college and is planning to engage in work involving translation, interpreting, or language instruction.
The applicant should receive no less salary than a Japanese national would receive for comparable work.
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Quote: : Quote: :
Originally Posted by Supergoal View Post
Then why was I told by two different employers that they couldn't sponsor even though I have the required experience as stated on immigration's own website that qualifies me for the visa?
Which has made me go down the self sponsor route.
because some companies don't meet the requirements to sponsor visas.
Therefore they cannot sponsor anybody's visa.
Like KB wrote, perhaps another reason is that the employer is too stupid to know.
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Quote: : Then why was I told by two different employers that they couldn't sponsor even though I have the required experience as stated on immigration's own website that qualifies me for the visa?
Which has made me go down the self sponsor route.
.
No one in Japan has a right to obtain a visa, even if you think you qualify for one.
You are here at the behest and invitation of the Japanese Justice Ministry and its them that calls the shots.
In no country can a person applying for a visa demand a right to be allowed to stay and work there.
Visas also are issued by human beings in an immigration office, not granted by decree based on some rough guidelines supposedly carved in stone on a government website.
Said humans are also fallible and inclined to make mistakes from time to time.
Life isn't fair but thats the way it is.
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Quote: : No one in Japan has a right to obtain a visa, even if you think you qualify for one.
You are here at the behest and invitation of the Japanese Justice Ministry and its them that calls the shots.
In no country can a person applying for a visa demand a right to be allowed to stay and work there.
Visas also are issued by human beings in an immigration office, not granted by decree based on some rough guidelines supposedly carved in stone on a government website.
Said humans are also fallible and inclined to make mistakes from time to time.
Life isn't fair but thats the way it is.
Okay, I copied what you so eloquently wrote and put through the Newbie Language translator and it came out as, "NO!
You are NOT getting a VISA without a four year degree!"
I mean, what is up with that??
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Nobody here is demanding any visa.
We are just applying through the appropriate channels and using legal methods to obtain one.
It may sound to you that people who try to obtain a visa who haven't graduated from university are either some kind of scam artist or lower down the food chain than yourself.
The point is, everyone has many varying circumstances for staying and applying for a visa, which I'm sure we are all grateful for upon receiving one if given the opportunity.
My own personal situation has been posted on these forums before as some of you may have read.
As it stands my visa application is pending.
Having been in Japan since 2001, I would obviously be gutted to have to leave after all these years of making a life here.
But at the same time, rules are rules and so if by chance I am rejected for whatever reason I shall promptly be leaving, but will be all the more wiser for it, knowing what I have to do to come back if I wanted to do so.
Glenski, we talked about this briefly before, about my employers not being able to sponsor me.
I'm still unsure as to whether they really can or can't.
But the main thing is, they won't budge as far as sponsoring non degree holders.
If I remember correctly, I was told that all Eikaiwa language schools have been come down upon by immigration regarding sponsorship due to a couple of the larger schools scamming the system awhile back.
Though, if you are an employee of a small independent school there may be some leeway with immigration and sponsorship.
But who knows..
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Quote: : Glenski, we talked about this briefly before, about my employers not being able to sponsor me.
Sorry, but I don't remember the details, as I have several threads going on several forums and I visit them every day.
How is it you have been here for about 8 years with no degree?
You were gone a year, and you were on a spouse visa (just checked old threads) for part of that time.
Quote: : I'm still unsure as to whether they really can or can't.
But the main thing is, they won't budge as far as sponsoring non degree holders.
Then, if they truly refuse to take advantage of the legal option you have, move on.
Quote: : If I remember correctly, I was told that all Eikaiwa language schools have been come down upon by immigration regarding sponsorship due to a couple of the larger schools scamming the system awhile back.
Though, if you are an employee of a small independent school there may be some leeway with immigration and sponsorship.
But who knows.. Have not heard of that coming down...
Business is business.
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Quote: : NGlenski, we talked about this briefly before, about my employers not being able to sponsor me.
I'm still unsure as to whether they really can or can't.
But the main thing is, they won't budge as far as sponsoring non degree holders.
Dont you think employers have a right to decide who they will and wont employ and instead be held to some legal standard set by others?
Just like landlords can decide who they rent apartments to, the final decision rests with employers on whether they want you as an employee based on your 'qualifications'.
It has nothing to do with being lower on the food chain.They have set their own employment policy which conflicts with your desire for a job.
Another aspect is that employers often tell students that teachers have a degree.
If you dont have one then in that sense it is false advertising and lying to students.
Saving face is more important in this country than breaching a principle they set for themselves.
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Quote: : Dont you think employers have a right to decide who they will and wont employ and instead be held to some legal standard set by others?
Just like landlords can decide who they rent apartments to, the final decision rests with employers on whether they want you as an employee based on your 'qualifications'.
It has nothing to do with being lower on the food chain.They have set their own employment policy which conflicts with your desire for a job.
Another aspect is that employers often tell students that teachers have a degree.
If you dont have one then in that sense it is false advertising and lying to students.
Saving face is more important in this country than breaching a principle they set for themselves.
I think you're making too much out of it, and out of what I have said.
I don't think both of the companies would lie, just to say they don't want to sponsor.
Since I asked both of them the same question, they both gave me the exact same answer, referring to immigration having control over the issue.
I don't know where you get the idea that employers "lie" about telling students ALL teachers have degrees.
I think your making a blind assumption which is a little out of line.
Especially since one of the companies I work for each and every teacher has to create an online profile which students can look at, which on mine clearly states that I haven't graduated.
The comment about being lower down the food chain, was in response to the resistance people get here who haven't a degree, who ask for help or advice on getting a visa from some fellow forum members.
Don't take it the wrong way.
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By all accounts I have experienced some kind of immigration miracle.
A 90 day extension of my tourist visa while I wait for my work permit application to process.
This is my third 90 day "temporary visitor" period, giving me a total of 270 days.
I simply went down to immigration with a gaijin friend who is fluent in Japanese, had him press them for clear answers, the officer left for a good 20 minutes, and came back with a red APPLICATION stamp in my passport, which they failed to provide automatically when I submitted my application in person initially.
For the 90 days, they want a copy of my return ticket, and a signed letter stating what I am doing here "in general".
I look forward to seeing the results of the teaching permit application I supposedly won`t get either, since I have no degree.
I am not counting on it - but I guess miracles happen sometimes!
Thanks for all the feedback folks.
Knowing what to ask for at immigration was helpful.
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Quote: : The comment about being lower down the food chain, was in response to the resistance people get here who haven't a degree, who ask for help or advice on getting a visa from some fellow forum members.
Don't take it the wrong way.
The resistance is usually to people who dont have a degree, dont qualify for a visa but somehow think they are entitled to a visa or look for back-door ways.
All we can do is offer advice based on our understanding of what immigration laws allow.
Its up to you to decide if you will accept that advice.
Dont shoot the messenger here.
The resistance comes from hearing from people who cant take no for an answer or somehow believe that they can get a visa when the established rules explicitly indicate they don't, or they encounter employers who are not willing to accomodate them.
You appear to have the required experience but question why employers refuse to hire you in spite of the fact you dont have a degree which is their minimum hiring requirement, desirable or not.
I can only guess at the logic behind their hiring decisions but they seem to be within their rights to make the decisions they do.
Deal with it and move on, is all i can say.
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Quote: : By all accounts I have experienced some kind of immigration miracle.
A 90 day extension of my tourist visa while I wait for my work permit application to process.
This is my third 90 day "temporary visitor" period, giving me a total of 270 days.
I simply went down to immigration with a gaijin friend who is fluent in Japanese, had him press them for clear answers, the officer left for a good 20 minutes, and came back with a red APPLICATION stamp in my passport, which they failed to provide automatically when I submitted my application in person initially.
For the 90 days, they want a copy of my return ticket, and a signed letter stating what I am doing here "in general".
I look forward to seeing the results of the teaching permit application I supposedly won`t get either, since I have no degree.
I am not counting on it - but I guess miracles happen sometimes!
Thanks for all the feedback folks.
Knowing what to ask for at immigration was helpful.
Congratulations. Just so we are all clear on this...
you applied for a work visa.
you've been given permission to stay in the country.
Presumably, that is for waiting to hear about the visa, but it actually says you have 90 more days stamped in your passport?
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Quote: : Congratulations.
Just so we are all clear on this...
you applied for a work visa.
you've been given permission to stay in the country.
Presumably, that is for waiting to hear about the visa, but it actually says you have 90 more days stamped in your passport?
Hows about
his potential employer has applied for a COE and in the meantime he has successfully applied for an extention to his current temporary visitor status...
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Quote: : The resistance is usually to people who dont have a degree, dont qualify for a visa but somehow think they are entitled to a visa or look for back-door ways.
All we can do is offer advice based on our understanding of what immigration laws allow.
Its up to you to decide if you will accept that advice.
Dont shoot the messenger here.
The resistance comes from hearing from people who cant take no for an answer or somehow believe that they can get a visa when the established rules explicitly indicate they don't, or they encounter employers who are not willing to accomodate them.
You appear to have the required experience but question why employers refuse to hire you in spite of the fact you dont have a degree which is their minimum hiring requirement, desirable or not.
I can only guess at the logic behind their hiring decisions but they seem to be within their rights to make the decisions they do.
Deal with it and move on, is all i can say.
Nobody here is thinking they are entitled to a visa nor in the belief they have a right to obtain one either.
For your information I'm already employed by said employers.
So I must meet their minimum hiring requirements albeit a money in a jump suit perhaps
Thank you for your concern.
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I had applied for a Change of Status of Residency (not a COE) for teaching purposes, with a sponsor who really likes me and wants to hire me even with no degree.
I applied Jan 8 and nothing was provided as a receipt or stamped in my passport.
My 90 day Temporary Visitor permit, the second one I have received, expires on Feb 5.
My boss making a few calls failed to produce any clear answers on whether I was expected to leave the country on Feb 5 and if I would get back in to Japan once I left.
On Feb 3, I went to push for a clear answer.
They simply left me standing there for about 20 minutes and came back with a red APPLICATION stamp in my passport and said I could have a third 90 day Temporary Visitor permit without leaving the country and regardless of the outcome of the work permit application, provided I could show them a return ticket to Canada, and provide a short written explanation of what ive been doing here for the last 6 months.
I do not have the 90 day permit in my passport yet, only the red stamp, but I have a letter stating that I will get it when I provide my ticket and activity statement.
I have 10 days to provide the requested documentation.
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