Free Choice has obtained a copy of an ‘internal’ Immigration Bureau document that seems to clarify the issue of foreigners’ enrollment in Japan’s social health care system as a prerequisite for visa renewal. A DPJ Lower House lawmaker, after questioning Justice Minister Chiba about Guideline Number 8, was sent the document via fax from Immigration and then forwarded it to a Free Choice supporter.
“Accordingly, if a health insurance ID card is not presented (to an immigration officer), that alone cannot be sufficient reason for rejection or denial of a (visa) application,” according to the document.
This passage makes it very clear that not being enrolled in one of Japan’s public health insurance plans cannot of itself be sufficient cause for declining a foreigner’s application for visa renewal or change of status. Please read the entire Immigration document to fully understand the policy.
For more on legal issues, health and visas in Japan, check GaijinPot In Japan pages. This story is a follow on to a previous post on visa’s in Japan mentioned here.
