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Jun 27, 2017

The 5 Stages of Grief when it comes to the Immigration Office

Have you ever felt like you go through the 5 stages of grief when it comes to dealing with the Immigration Office in Japan?


Denial

I don't really need to go to the Immigration Office, do I? Maybe they'll just somehow grant my residency without me having to go and sit at the office for several hours, waiting for my number to be called to talk to someone...and maybe I won't have to do all those piles of paperwork? Right? Maybe? Please?!?!


Anger

This is RIDICULOUS! I do not want to spend one more minute at this office dealing with all this bureaucracy to stay here. No more. I'm just going to go home. What's the point! I'm not a criminal...and yet I'm here, filling in all this stuff, and getting told conflicting information...not putting up with this anymore!


Bargaining

If only we had been more organized...if only we had asked more questions in advance. Do international celebrities or sportspeople get to stay here without dealing with all this drama?

*Googles "what it takes to become a world class athlete at 32"*

Okay, that's not going to work.



Depression

The crying emoji sums it up.


The 5 Stages of Grief when it comes to the Immigration Office photo


Acceptance

It's gotta be done...and we'll get there in the end...even if we have to fill in more paperwork, and wait in more queues, and deal with more bureaucracy.

I may just need an entire bottle of Umeshu to deal with the process.


5 Comments

  • helloalissa

    on Jun 27

    I hope you'll find out (soon) that outside of the Tokyo area, this becomes a million times easier. My tip is go to the smallest branch office near you and you won't even have a wait (or anyone else there). And another hint: you can just pay someone (at your company for example) to deal with that for you when you can't be bothered.

  • genkidesu

    on Jun 27

    @helloalissa that is good advice! Right now we've been to one of the offices nearby to sort it all out and it's been several hours each time - it's always so busy! You give me hope though that once we're finally settled outside the city that it's going to be easier - so thank you!

  • SalarymanJim

    on Jun 29

    I'm 100 % with you on this. Immigration in Tokyo pretty much reduces me to tears every time I go. The people behind the counters there are no fun to deal with at all. I suppose they want immigration to be a bit of a challenge in that way but still, it's pretty much a miserable experience, in Tokyo anyway. Grin and bear it I guess!

  • genkidesu

    on Jul 1

    @SalarymanJim That's exactly what I thought - the process has to be challenging to a degree, otherwise you'd have a million people wanting to live here. Slowly but surely we're making progress in the right direction. It's definitely giving me lessons in patience!

  • bluerobot

    on Sep 5

    Are you seeking permanent-residency status? :)