2023 JAPAN JOURNEY Update
Currently back in the United States after another 3 month trip to Japan.
I had 2 specific goals for this trip.
- First, to spend some time with my daughter, Remi, visiting specific areas of interest in Japan for her YouTube Channel and kick starting her new Japan Travel Series. You can be watch at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-q9SE4t0Sz0&t=469s.
- Second, take care of my immigration paper work for my Nikkei VISA to start my new Chapter exploring Japan. Well this second goal was a bit of a learning experience. To obtain a Nikkei VISA, one of the option is a requirement that you are a third-generation Japanese Descendant. The process first requires that you obtain a Certificate of Eligibility (COA) from Japanese Immigration. I thought that I was prepared with my application and all of my back up documents. After a half of a day at Immigration I found out that all of my back up documents were to old and they all have to be Certified and obtained with in 90 days of submission to Immigration. So I decided to get an Immigration Attorney in Japan that specializes in Nikkei VISA, as I want make sure I obtain my COE as soon as possible.
Upon arriving back in the US, my last couple of days have been filling out forms, having them Notarizing and getting finger printed for a FBI background check. Obtaining all of these documents will be the next step and then back to Japan next month to get a new Koseki (Family Register) in Wakayama (my grandparents birth place) and then visit my Immigration Attorney for his review and submission.
Then it’s anxiously waiting for the processing of my COA to arrive. Interesting fact that I also learned on my last trip, you are only allowed to stay in Japan for 180 days per year with only a US Passport. So after this next trip I will be back in the States at least until the end of July when my one year starts over or I obtain my COA and getting my Nikkei VISA.
Stay tuned and will update on the status of my Nikkei VISA