I am an American citizen that is in Japan on a temporary visa status
(90 days) I am here staying with my Fiancé and I am not working. I am
a graphic artist and I own an interactive media business in the USA. I
would like to know if there is anyway I can extent my stay here as my
Fiancé is pregnant and she is wholly dependant on me. We are waiting
on a visa application for her that we applied for and I am doubtful
that it will be granted by the time my 90 days expires on March 4th.

I have read there is really no way to extend my trip without leaving
the country to apply for a visa, perhaps under the dependant or artist
visa categories? Would it be possible to go to the Philippines or
Korea for a week or two and try and re-enter for another 90 day
visitor visa?

I have read that a new law enables overstayers in Japan to surrender
themselves to a local immigration office to avoid fines and be banned
from entering Japan for 1 year instead of 5, is this true? Im not sure
how long I would need to stay, maybe between 3 and 6 more months.

The big question is, overstaying or trying to re enter, what way is
safer and more secure?

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Clarification of Question by dvp543-ga on 05 Feb 2005 22:39 PST

Thanks for your answer, I have a few questions. How long would I have
to leave the country? What is the closest destination in Korea from
Tokyo? How long have you done this safely? Will they question why im
coming back after only a few days or a week?

I have been living in japan for 3 years now. I do not reccoment to
overstay your visa as you might face harsh penalties in this country.
The best way to get a quick extension is to travel to another place
and get your passport restamped. These days there are many discounted
flights to Korea, Thailand, Indonesia.
Normally is not a problem to do this trick several times but at some
points, the picky immigration officers might refuse entry on a tourist
visa. I heard that some people pretend to lose their passport to get a
new one and start the game over and over.

good luck.

i have never done myself but i have read many stories about people
doing it. it should be no problem if it is the 1st time you re-enter
on a tourist visa. the immigration officers might get suspicious if
you do several times.
A short stay in korea/thailand should suffice, but never mention to
the immigration that you are somehow living in japan, just say that
you are travelling and now you plan to visit other parts of japan.
if you are graduated you can easily get a taching job cum visa in
tokyo, just check out local schools and newspaper some firms are
willing to sponsor a visa, if you don't hold a uni diploma then they
cannot sposor you.

there is always a margin of risk in travelling and obtaining a visa,
but you should be fine. just do not overstay!! japanese autority makes
no difference between a tourist who overstay his/her visa or an
illegal worker.

for cheap flights i reccomend 
http://www.no1-travel.com/ as they are professional and speak several
languages and they are based in tokyo.
if you travel to thailand rather than korea you will find that you can
easily afford a longer stay since living costs are substantially
cheaper than korea.
in seuol you will find hotel accomodation quite expensive, unless you
stay in b&b accomdation (ask at the airport counter in seoul for a
list of cheap hotels)