Job Discussion Forums

zoazite · Joined: 30 Oct 2011 Posts: 1 Location: Changzhou, China

Well my original plan was to have a job lined up before coming to Japan, but as of a week ago, that plan was scrapped when the company suddenly rejected me (after having made an offer).

I am definitely coming to Japan anyways, and will try to find some work.

Main question is what are some tips to avoid getting stopped at immigration. How can I make myself less conspicuous?

Thanks for any help

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

You're not smuggling dope. Just tell them you're coming as a tourist. Tell them you are job hunting and they will put you back on the plane. Nothing more than that. Officially, you ARE a tourist.

You'll need a round trip ticket, BTW, or the airline won't let you board. Keep that in mind.

OneJoelFifty · Joined: 06 Oct 2009 Posts: 463

Dye your hair black, and bring a camera. Speak in broken English. Squint your eyes. They might think you're Japanese.

thomthom · Joined: 20 May 2011 Posts: 125

For someone with a round ticket and hand luggage they wouldn't be suspicious. In your case you'll probably have a single ticket and lots of baggage. I don't think it'll be a problems so long as you have a reliable place of residence to give (eg a proper hotel or a friend's house) and explain to them that the reason you don't have a round ticket is that you're hopping over to South Korea or wherever after a few weeks in Japan.

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

You will still have to prove you're going there. Ferry ticket, for example.

heidigirl · Joined: 12 Jan 2013 Posts: 2

Glenski,

Have you ben turned away at many airports for not having a return ticket?

How many times have you been denied entry (specficially) to Japan for not having a return ticket?

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

I sense you doubt what I have reported. Why is that?

FWIW, I've always had a return ticket. I'm just reporting what is pretty widely known. Go to LonelyPlanet.com/thorntree and ask the veteran travelers there, too.
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/thread.jspa?threadID=2296182
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/thread.jspa?threadID=2233708
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/thread.jspa?threadID=2228039

It's not a certainty that you will be checked, but the airline is financially responsible for being sure you have a visa or proof of onward flight/boat.

heidigirl · Joined: 12 Jan 2013 Posts: 2

Sensed wrong. Just wondering about your own specfic experiences and not something you found on the "internet".

Widely known? By whom? Internet surfers? Rhetorical.

I have been to many countries with no return ticket. NEVER a problem. I have entered Japan 4 times with no return ticket (no forwarding ticket) and never a problem. I entered with a friend last summer, no return ticket, neither of us, no problem.

I just thought you could give the OP good advice and tell him that he really should have a return/forwarding ticket to avoid any problems. It is better than stating it as fact just because you can reference 3 lonelyplanet articles. (because it is not a fact)