The next step.

As written in the previous post, the most difficult step in preparing for Carol's immigration has past. Now, we can really get ready to move forward.

As for the next step, we foresee the following:
1. 25th July: Go to JP Consulate to apply for spouse visa.
2. In 5 days: Visa is ready and given.
3. Carol packs and prepares for her move.
4. Latest October: Carol moves to Japan.
5. Upon arrival, if Carol passes the passport control, she has entered Japan for good.

From this point on is just my note, but a review of what we need to do after Carol arrives Japan.
1. Within 90days after arrival: Go get alien resident card (外国人登録証明書): Gov't office (市区役所)
2. Before next departure: Go get re-entry permit (再入国許可書): Immigration Bureau (入国管理局): Expires one time single permit or 3yrs multiple permit.
3. Already done: Go to post office and apply for change of registrant: Post office
4. Whenever possible: Apply for social insurance and security (社保・年金): Through Jin's company

Other items to prepare:
- Before Arrival: Stamp (印鑑): Get in HK.
- After arrival: Mobile phone: Get in JP
- After arrival: Bank account: Get in JP.
- Credit Card - Jin's family card: Should be alright with Jin's.
- SUICA/EDY - Already has it: 無問題.

After the arrival, in order to sustain status, below needs to be considered:
・Renewal of Certificate of Eligibility: 在留資格認定証明書更新 （2009 March)
- current certificate has 1 year expiry.
- need at least three year, so need to renew once in order to apply for permanent alien.
・Permanent Alienship: 永住権
- after three years of marriage, and more than one year of residing in Japan
- this proves permanent eligibility to stay in Japan and thus does not need to be renewed.
・Re-entry Permit: 再入国許可
- expiry has two scheme: one time or three year multiple entry.
- the re-entry permit must be in line with the certificate of eligibility.
・Foreigner's Registration ID: 外国人登録証明書
- there isn't an expiry of the registration card, but there is an expiry date on the card (need to check).
- need to go to city hall government office (市区役所) for application.
・Naturalisation: 帰化申請（http://kekkon.homn.net/kika.html）
- over 20 years of age.
- has good status.
- has a way to live with his/her own work, or by his/her spouse or other family member.
- doesn't mind giving up his/her old nationality.
- has not performed terroristic operations to Japanese government.
- has married to a Japanese and lived more than three years in Japan.
- has married to a Japanese for over three years, and has lived in Japan for more than one year.
- has no problem living in Japan, both linguistically and understanding of culture.

That's it for now. It really the final countdown for Carol to move to Japan. やっとだね（＾＾ｂ