Job Discussion Forums

Valaki · Joined: 17 Aug 2010 Posts: 85 Location: Japan

Be careful with these guys, they offered me a job and lied to me about applying for a work visa.

Good thing I was aggressive enough to get them to admit there is no work visa before booking that USD 1000 flight.

Their cover story was that they will apply, but I will have to accept the possibility of a tourist visa if the work visa is "delayed." When I demanded to see proof of the COE application, they withdrew the offer. LMAO

Valaki · Joined: 17 Aug 2010 Posts: 85 Location: Japan

Now they are sending me an immigration receipt, saying they want to prove that they applied when they told me they did, but I was too argumentative and demanding, and that's why they cancelled the offer. Can anyone shed some light on WTF is going on?

Also, is it true that they cannot cancel the COE application (which they claiming they did)? So if they DID apply, in theory, I could even use it to get the visa? What are the chances of pulling this off?

I think they didn't apply though, exactly because they know they couldn't cancel it, so the receipt is fake.

Mr_Monkey · Joined: 11 Mar 2009 Posts: 661 Location: Kyuuuuuushuuuuuuu

Work on softening your approach to employers.

From what you report, it sounds like you were just too aggressive with them.

Next time you're in a situation like this (if it indeed arises), gently insist. What you might think is gentle might not be gentle by Japanese standards though, so think at least three times before hitting "send".

Tom567 · Joined: 30 Apr 2009 Posts: 34

I came over on a tourist visa and figured it would not be a bad or risky idea to start working while my visa paperwork was being processed. I was very wrong.

My boss fired me after three weeks for suspect reasons and I could not find a job. My search efforts were complicated by not having a proper work visa.

In mid November she told me that she would try and get me the visa if I could find a school willing to employ me. She told me to have the school call her if I did find an employer, but I never found one and wondered two things:

1) Why would a school desire to hire me if the school I came to work for saw something they didn`t like?

2) Maybe you`ve read the book Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison. The protagonist obtains " reccommendations " from an employer that he is told not to open. He eventually learns that the letter(s) inside the envelope(s) portray him unfavorably.

I kind of figured that something like this might happen to me with the woman and school I just got out of.

Get your work visa in your passport before you come. I am bumming money from relatives at the moment.

Valaki · Joined: 17 Aug 2010 Posts: 85 Location: Japan

I am really sorry this happened to you.

Now this is exactly why I'm thinking the way I handled "La Verte English school" was not absolutely outrageous and perfectly within the realm of common sense.

My request to them:

"Dear Mr. xxxx

You said you have submitted the COE application. Do you think you could scan a receipt or an acknowledgement from immigration? It would definitely alleviate some of the stress I am experiencing. "

Anyway, can I still go on their Certificate of Eligibility if they actually applied for it, after they cancelled their offer?

Tom567 · Joined: 30 Apr 2009 Posts: 34

You made the right move, but I am guessing that you worked really hard to find a job in a tight market and are starting to think that you should give the school the benefit of the doubt.

Your request for proof is reasonable and shouldn`t be taken the wrong way by a prospective employer, but it is apparent that the school in question does not respect the significant risk you are taking by coming over here on your own dime to work for them.

My guess is No with the COE, but the address below might clarify things.

http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/03.html

Remember: Badly wanting things to work does not mean they will.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Verde has probably already canceled their COE application, so don't expect them to wait for it to be issued and send it to you. Move on.

Valaki · Joined: 17 Aug 2010 Posts: 85 Location: Japan

So it can be cancelled?

I'm asking because another employer was telling me I need to go on a tourist visa because once they apply for COE, they can't stop the process if I don't come.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Valaki · Joined: 17 Aug 2010 Posts: 85 Location: Japan

I bet everyone has had enough of the La Verte saga, but I just wanted to add one last thing.

They had also threatened me that they will only apply for the COE if I book a flight to Japan before they do that (and most likely arrive on a tourist visa) - giving them the (illegal) safety and comfort my powerless servant status would've brought.

In turn I would've had to take on the risk of becoming involved in a tragic tale of exploitation such as Tom's.