Originally, my mother and sister`s visa is good for only 90 days. They came here last July 20th and scheduled to go back home to the Philippines on October 13th. That would be about two weeks before my due date which is October 30th.

Upon consideration of many things, we decided to extend them a little bit so they can be with me and help me when I give birth and see baby girl in person. We were worried if they can`t adjust to the weather changes (summer to autumn) since Philippines is always summer and it might be too much for them to brace the cold. Yes, autumn is cold for them just like as spring was. To make the story short, despite that worry, we decided to extend them.

The first thing I did was  booked another ticket online and deferred the payment for another 24 hours (so I can have time to think it over and find other means). I also googled the requirements for extension and found the downloadable application form.

The next day, I called the immigration office to know for sure the requirements for extension. The lady who got my call dictated me the following requirements:

1. Application from (which you can download online)
2. Personal appearance of the applicants
3. Passport of the applicants
4. Reason for Extension (can be written in a separate sheet of paper)
5. Return ticket (open date is recommended since the approval of extension is not one hundred percent sure and there is a possibility that it will be denied)
6. Income Tax Certificate (mine and my husband`s) or shotoku kazei shomeisho  in Japanese
7. Bankbook balance ( optional but will really help to show your capacity to sponsor )

After that, I called the airline (Cebu Pacific) US hotline thru Skype so and I found out I can just re-book the original ticket and save some good thousand yen than buying a new ticket. I ignored the return ticket I booked yesterday (automatically forfeited after 24 hours of booking without payment  settlement) and processed the re-booking. It took me about 40 minutes to re-book but thank goodness Skype calls are free of charge.

I changed their return ticket from October 13th to November 23rd. I know the immigration lady told me to get an open ticket but the airline said it is not possible. I just trusted that their visa application will be approved no matter what.

After that, I filled up the application forms and went to bank then to the city hall to gather the rest of the requirements.

On that same day, a very rainy day, I took my mother and my sister to the immigration in Kitakyushu to file for the extension.

The lady behind the counter checked the documents and asked me for my Juuminhyou (Residence Certificate) but I don`t have it and told her it was not mentioned when I called that morning to verify the requirements. So, instead, she asked for my Residence card and that was sufficient. She also asked my mother and sister to sign the application and checked the forms again. There were some items I missed to fill-up and she guided me to write them down.

While waiting for her to process the documents, she asked me to write my address down on a small piece of paper. One tip guys. If there is one thing you need to master in writing Japanese, it should be your address and your name of course. You will write these in any Japanese forms. Again, NAME AND ADDRESS.

After that, it was done. We were told to come back if we receive some postcard.

That was Wednesday, September 3rd when we filed the extension and the postcard came Sunday, September 8 although the postcard was stamped September 5th, meaning, it was released two days later upon application. That was FAST!. It was actually the fastest transaction I have ever made with the immigration. It usually takes three weeks to two months to process renewal or changing status. when I filed for permanent residency, it took almost three months. I guess they hurried knowing that I`m pregnant and could give birth anytime soon.

A week after we filed the extension, we were back to claim the result. We brought  the postcard (通知書）or written notification and their passports. We also needed to buy two ￥4,000. revenue stamp. My mother and sister signed a document (each for one of them) and I attached the revenue stamp on it and that was it. The lady called me and handed me back the passports showing the new visa which expires in January 16th. They actually extended for another 90 days. That was great to know. We could buy another return ticket later in January if we want but it`s not a very good idea because of the winter cold. And the budget. Lol.

Before heading back home, we went to the nearby Kokura castle, took some pictures, had lunch at the Riverwalk, enjoyed shopping at Can Do (a very nice hyakuen shop), got tired and went home.

I hope this article entertained you somehow and more importantly help some readers in their plans of extending their family`s temporary visitor visa.

Below is the link where you can download the application form and read about the requirements.

http://www.immi-moj.go.jp/english/tetuduki/kanri/shyorui/03.html

That`s the website of Immigration Services Agency of Japan.

This link  (http://www.immi-moj.go.jp/soshiki/kikou/fukuoka.html) will help you locate Fukuoka Immigration Bureau.

I chose Kitakyushu because that is where I am comfortable at and it is not as busy compared to the one in Fukuoka City. Fukuoka City used to have it in the airport but since they changed the location to somewhere in Hakata, I have`t been there.  Even the immigration officer wondered whether my place is closer to Kitakyushu than to Fukuoka. I am actually residing in between these two cities. I preferred Kitakyushu. Not so many people and you can finish your transaction fast.