My husband took a day off to do some life admin. We thought, why not combine that with my admin – going to immigration to apply for ‘application for permission to engage in an activity other than those permitted by the status of residence previously granted’ or 「格外資格外活動許可申請書」?

‘It won’t take long. Just nip in and out, then free for the rest of the day.’ Oh, how we laughed! We were there for 4 and a half hours! And my folder was taken! It was a nice green, Sumikko Gurashi one with sections. They said it’ll take between one and ...