Customer Comments(Mr.Ian)

Their excellent English skills and detailed explanation of the visa application process were the deciding factors!

They provided reliable and speedy support for my "Designated Activities No. 40 (Long Stay Visa for Tourism and Relaxation)" and "Spouse or Child of Japanese National" visa applications!

Mr. IAN MARCUS PETTY

■Decided to live in Japan to spend time together with his wife

--Mr. Ian, please tell us your age, where are you from, and your occupation?

My age is 34. I am from Michigan, USA. I originally worked as an employee at a finance-related company in my home country, but I utilized the company's leave of absence system to obtain a 'Designated Activities 40' visa, and now I work as a remote worker.

--Mr. Ian, what was your original reason for coming to Japan, and why did you decide to obtain “Designated Activities No. 40” and “Spouse or Child of Japanese National”?

My initial purpose for coming to Japan was for sightseeing. It was around February 2023, when I attended a “language exchange meeting” in Osaka where I met my wife and we started dating.

When we first started dating, I traveled back and forth between the U.S. and Japan to see my wife, but I decided to obtain a visa because I wanted to spend more time with her, and I had a relatively flexible job, so I thought it would be better for me to come to Japan.

Among the various visas available, I chose “Designated Activities No. 40” because I thought it was the best choice for me.

As someone who worked for an American company, the first thing that came to mind was “Intra-company Transferee” visa. However, to make that happen at the company I was working for, I would have to start by establishing a “Japanese Corporation.” In that case, it would take more than a year to come to Japan, no matter how short I estimated it.

If that were the case, I thought it would be more efficient and quicker to move to Japan by obtaining “Designated Activities No. 40” visa.

After that, as we spent time together, we decided to get married and I changed my visa to “Spouse or Child of Japanese National.”

■The high level of English skill and the trust gained from the free consultation were my deciding factors to request the services of Samurai Immigration Law Firm.

--Please tell us how and why you chose Samurai Immigration Law Firm.

At first, I started researching the necessary documents to do it myself. However, I soon realized that “I could not do it by myself”, as preparing the documents itself was very difficult and it would be difficult to do it while in the U.S. So, I decided to look for a firm that could help me.

After searching online and picking up several offices of a certified administrative procedures specialist and inquiring them by e-mail, I chose Samurai Immigration Law Firm for the following reasons.

● Excellent English skills

The thing I wanted to avoid the most was for my English to be misunderstood. In this respect, the English skills of Samurai Immigration Law Firm was very high and I was able to communicate without any worries both in writing and in person, which was a major deciding factor.

● They offered a free consultation

One of the factors in my selection of the firm was that they offered me a free remote consultation using Zoom as soon as I inquired by e-mail. I was very grateful, because other firms only communicated with me by e-mail or charged for the consultation.

● I felt a sense of trust that they would definitely move things forward

During the free consultation, they explained in detail the process of obtaining a visa and provided me with a list of necessary documents, which made the discussion proceed smoothly. I had a sense of trust that they would make sure that I would be able to obtain a visa.

--By the way, were there any office of a certified administrative procedures specialist in the U.S. that offer services to obtain Japanese visas?

No. I have never seen any firm in the U.S. that provides support obtaining Japanese visas.

■We will prepare most of the documents and handle communication with the Immigration Bureau

--How did your application for “Designated Activities No. 40” proceed?

I communicated via emails and initially proceeded by collecting the documents listed on the “list of necessary documents” prepared by Samurai Immigration Law Firm.

All I did was collect some documents, communicated with the U.S. Embassy, and filled out and signed the forms sent from Samurai Immigration Law Firm.

Samurai Immigration Law Firm prepared all the documents they could collect, and I was able to leave everything to them, including the communication with the Immigration Bureau and the submission of the final documents.

However, the applicant must be in Japan at the time of application. For that reason, I visited Japan only for a short period of time at the time of the submission of the documents.

■Satisfied with the service worth more than the price

--What was good about working with Samurai Immigration Law Firm?

Their reliable and prompt response to my questions.

They were very knowledgeable about the necessary documents and Japanese laws, so if there was something I did not understand I could ask and hear the answer right away.

And of course, their English skill.

I am glad I requested their service because when I needed to convey complicated matters in Japanese for the documents such as “statement of reasons,” I was able to trust them to take care of it.

I really feel that they provide very good service for the price.

--After obtaining “Designated Activities No. 40” in September 2023, you continued to ask Samurai Immigration Law Firm for services when you renewed and when you changed your status to “Spouse or Child of Japanese National.” In addition to the “good points” you mentioned earlier, if you feel there are any other advantages to continuing to work with us, please tell us about them as well.

I think it is a big advantage that they could use the documents, which I had already given, again if they are still valid and I did not have to explain from the beginning and going back and forth about unclear points since they were well aware of my situation.   

I had a sense of security in knowing that my first application and obtainment for “Designated Activities No. 40” went smoothly, so I never had a thought of looking for other firm to renew or to change the status to “Spouse or Child of Japanese National.”

■ Considering using our service for renewal of “Spouse or Child of Japanese National” in the future.

--Please tell us any visions and dreams you have for your life in Japan in the future.

Since I have become financially stable, I hope to move my residence to the seaside rural area and live a peaceful life.

By the way, the period of stay for “Spouse or Child of Japanese National” is determined by the overall evaluation of the Immigration Bureau from among 5 years, 3 years, 1 year, and 6 months.

This time, I was granted a 1 year period of stay, which will need to be renewed again at the same season next year. At that time, I hope that Samurai Immigration Law Firm will support me with the renewal procedures again. Please email me when it is time for renewal (giggle.)

Supervisor of This Article

Representative Immigration Lawyer, Samurai Immigration Law Firm

Official Website : https://samurai-law.com

Kentaro Kojima

Profile

In April 2009, he established a private immigration law office.
In August 2012, he incorporated the office to found Samurai Immigration Law Firm.

Specialties

Specializes in immigration services, including foreign visas, residency status, employment of foreign nationals, business management visas, permanent residency, and naturalization applications.Handles over 1,000 consultations annually.