Job Discussion Forums

[Felix]

How long is a work visa in Japan valid? Are there different types? And, once you get your work Visa can you quit the school that sponsored you, and go to another?

Also, If I were to just show up in Japan with the expectation of a getting a job, could I rent an apartment without a visa? I wouldn't jave a job, so of course, I wouldn't be sponsored. If anybody can answer these questions, I'd really appreciate it.

[Glenski]

Go to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs web site for all the information you need on visas.

http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/

Yes, you can quit the position that you got with your work visa if you want to. The visa follows you. That said, are you planning on this as some sneaky proposition for something? If you are thinking of ditching your job the moment you land in Japan, have a heart and think of the reputation of your fellow teachers and your fellow countrymen.

How would you expect a person with a tourist visa to rent an apartment? No references. No job in Japan. No apartment. Come on. You will need a sponsor, which means an employer, unless you rent a gaijin house (shared dormitory style housing).

[PAULH]

I think Felix is not aware of the fact that to rent any apartment in japan, apart from the gaijin hostels, genearlly speaking he will need a guarantor and pay anything from 3-5 months rent UP FRONT, (or between 200-300,000 yen for a 60,000 yen a month room) before the landlord will give you the key. Real estate agents in Tokyo are also notorious for refusing to rent to ANY foreigners, no matter what your job or financial status.

You dont say how you plan to pay for the rent, let alone the key money if you dont have a job or a regular pay check coming in or why a Japanese landlord would rent to an unemployed foreigner.

[Felix]

That's how I got set up in the Czech Republic - by just going there and renting a flat. No, I didn't need a visa or whatever, I got that all later though. I just had to show my passport and pay my cash. I didn't know if it's the same in Japan.

Paul - I would pay for this with savings, even though I'd hate to spend my savings getting set-up like this.

The reason I wanted to know about the visa is that if I felt I was being taken advantage of, or exploited, by my employer I could bail and find a decent job there. I wouldn't want to be forced to work through a contract just so I could stay in Japan.

Glenski, I have been reading your posts for well over a year, and I really appreciate your help. I notice, though, that you've become alot more cynical in your posts. Like all these constant questions are trying your patience.

[G Cthulhu]

[PAULH]

The reason I wanted to know about the visa is that if I felt I was being taken advantage of, or exploited, by my employer I could bail and find a decent job there. I wouldn't want to be forced to work through a contract just so I could stay in Japan.



This has been written about many times before, including by Glenski.

Just a couple of points to recap.

With a valid work visa (not a tourist visa) you can work on the visa until it expires, even if you change employers. You will need a new sponsor when you renew.

To quit a job requires between one and two months notice if you intend to leave. If you quit a job without notice eventually you will leave a burning trail all over your resume. If you feel you are beeing abused their are very strong and powerful unions in japan that can represent you and negotiate on your behalf with your employer. Often bailing out will create resentment and make it harder for the person following you. maybe the person before you caused trouble and that is why the employer may impose restrictions or petty rules you dont agree with etc.

The only advice I can give you to avoid being exploited by employers is to do your homework and find out about your employers before you sign a contract. Many times employees are no saints either and dont you think its no surprise that employers become hard-nosed when petulant foreigners walk out on them at the drop of a hat or they feel theya re being maligned? landlords for the most part are somewhat xenophobic, and often think that foreigners will throw wild parties or stink out the kitchen with strange smells, or put out the garbage on the wrong day. Thats a bit off the point but anyway- it will cost you an arm and a leg to find a place. Be prepared to cough up at least $$3000-4000 for key money.

If you get employer sponsored accomodation you may not pay key money but you will give up your apartment if you leave.


Maybe Im reading you wrong here but you say you want to bail out on your employer to find a decent job, whcih implies your first job wasnt decent to begin with. Is your employer to blame for that if you didnt find that out first by asking other teachers, learning its reputation? Many schools have been around long enough to develop a history of some kind and everyone knows the ones you should avoid. Maybe you should try aiming for better schools to begin with, or else think about upgrading your qualifications so you can apply for them.

There is no such thing as a perfect employer　or a perfect job though some are better than others. Some preliminary research will go a long way and avoid you having to bail out when things go wrong.

This is only my personal opinion and your idea of decent may be different than mine, but "decent" jobs come to you by hard work, diligence, paying your dues, gaining experience and acquiring professional qualifications. Connections are also a key in finding good jobs as well. Such jobs take time, while living in Japan is an expensive undertaking. You will find you will not likely make anything in the first year as you have your set up costs, pay off airfares and accomodation etc.

Sometimes you have to wade through the chaff to find the good paying jobs as well-

[Glenski]

Felix,

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[David W]