Job Discussion Forums

[The Boz]

I was wondering if someone here could answer a visa question for me. I'm currently looking into spending November to July or August in Japan. My main goal for that time is to improve my Japanese; however, I'm not interested in attending a language school as I learn better on my own and want to save money wherever possible. Thus, I need to figure out a way to stay in the country legally.

Initially, I was just going to rely on tourist visas to give me six months there, but a friend of a friend apparently did what I want to do by working for a school for a couple of months, quitting, and teaching 10-15 hours a week at smaller schools while using the rest of his time to learn Japanese. This let him keep his visa and also kept him afloat financially, apparently.

What I'm wondering, however, is whether this type of thing is still possible (I've heard of changes to the work visa system there) and, if so, how feasible of a plan it is? I know that you have to find a new employer after leaving a job and report that to immigration, but I don't know much about the hour requirements, etc., for registering a new employer. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[nightsintodreams]

The 6/12 month working holiday Visa sounds perfect for you, do some reseach online.

[The Boz]

I forgot to mention that I'm from the States, which unfortunately means no WHV as far as I can tell

[rtm]

[The Boz]

Thanks, I'll keep those potential problems in mind. I was hoping that the teaching market would be open enough there that it wouldn't be a big deal for teachers, especially part-time ones, to move from school to school, but I guess that's not really the case based on what you're saying.

[Jagariko]

No one can take your visa away from you once you have it: it is yours to use for employment until it runs out.

If you look to pick up 3-4 hours at three different, smallish schools, I doubt they will pay much attention to your visa status. If asked, you needn't even tell them you have quit, you could just say you wanted to pick up a few classes on one of your days off or that you had had your hours cut so were available at that time.

Alternatively, you could just work full-time for four months instead of two!

You are supposed to get a "letter of release" from your previous employer but I think that may well be only if you are getting a new type of permit to work (ie changing from specialist in humanities to instructor but I think that situation only crops up when you are renewing a visa.

[The Boz]

Sorry for the late reply, but I really appreciate your help. Hearing that definitely makes me feel better about things. I might just try it out and see what happens visa-wise. Either way, it'll probably buy me a little more time to do what I want to do.

[HLJHLJ]

I don't know if the timing would work but you could look at Westgate. Their contracts are 1 semester but you get a 1 year visa. Once you were done with WG you could apply for permission to work part time in other fields to avoid the instructor/humanities visa issue.

[The Boz]

Good tip. I'll start to look into it. Thanks!