Job Discussion Forums

ssjup81 · Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2015 4:09 am Post subject: What do you guys think?

Hi again all. So, as I mentioned a good while back, I put in my notice back in January of not continuing with my current company. My visa expires this month, so I'm still job hunting in hopes of finding something.

I did the extension thing back in January, but of course they said I needed a sponsor to keep my current visa status, of course. My manager said that I'm sponsored by them until March 31 (when my contract ends). Last Friday, I decided to call the Immigration Office and ask about this since I was...not feeling very confident over her words, especially since my visa expires March 27.

They looked up my information, my application I put in back in January, etc., and told me that for my situation, I must find a new sponsor by or before March 27. My manager still says March 31. Of course I'll go with Immigration here, but what's the deal with my manager? Have you ever experienced this.

This is my first time ever having to do a visa renewal or extension. Before, I went home after my year was up. When I returned about a year later, I had a three-year visa that expires this year.

fluffyhamster · Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2015 4:19 am Post subject:

I've always gone by what it clearly says in my passport (and by what Immigration confirms), and never by an employer's misinformation or wishful thinking. As you aren't renewing with your employer it doesn't really matter what she thinks, but if you were, you would obviously need to instruct her and leave her in no doubt about what needed doing. Negligence isn't appealing trait, is it! LOL.

ssjup81 · Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2015 4:29 am Post subject:

Of course, I knew it was March 27, back in January when checking my actual passport. After doing the paper work, I got a letter from immigration about how I needed a new sponsor before they can extend my visa because I'm leaving the current company. From that point, my manager keeps telling me, "we are sponsoring you until March 31".

I called Immigration last Friday because a prospective employer wanted to know my visa situation in detail, the conversation went on for quite a while because they thought I'd found employment. lol Anyway, after clarifying that I hadn't, that's when they said, "Oh no, you must find a new work sponsor by or before March 27."

I still don't get why the manager will say otherwise when she knows it expires March 27. Worse enough they won't give me my time off that I haven't used since I'm in the last month of my contract...

fluffyhamster · Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2015 4:50 am Post subject:

Well, you'll likely need to take time off regardless of what your employer threatens (and as you'll hopefully be remaining in Japan, you can threaten them right back. Some employers leave one with no choice but to seek legal redress, such is their intransigence). Perhaps you can get somebody to cover for you at your school or whatever. Good luck!

ssjup81 · Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2015 5:19 am Post subject:

Thank you. I have two more interviews this week. One for Chiba, the other in Tokyo. I hope something come of those. I was offered a job after the interview I did yesterday in Yamagata city...but it would be part-time so of course that wouldn't satisfy Immigration.

Anywho, the current company claimed that that particular stipulation was written in my contract agreement...the vacation thing. It wasn't. I have two contract agreements and that stipulation isn't in it. It says you cannot take time off in the last month of your contract...allegedly. They said that it should say that. I even showed them the contract, still doesn't matter and they won't give me the time off. They do have it written, it just wasn't in my contract. She pulled up the copy on the computer telling me which by-law (or whatever you'd call it) it should be in the contract. I told her I didn't have a 4. whatever listed.

I'd hate to break the contract because it means I can't collect my bonus...but that's nuts too. If I work in any prefecture or town or city that has one of their schools, I can't collect the 110,000 yen completion bonus. That is written in the contract agreement naturally and since they have schools all over Tohoku, it's just best to leave it altogether. Razz

Seriously, I have a "Tokyo or bust" mentality right now. lol

fluffyhamster · Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2015 5:27 am Post subject:

Personally, I'd threaten to see them in court. That clause about no time off in the last month is probably illegal (as is the "non-competition" clause), and I doubt any judge would be unsympathetic to the crazy idea that non-renewers would need time off to secure sponsorship elsewhere. Your employer probably thinks they are being very clever by finding "crafty" ways to screw their employees out of the bonus, but it's just pathetic really! Any union you could quickly join and seek advice from (while you're still employed there)?

rtm · Joined: 13 Apr 2007 Posts: 1003 Location: US

fluffyhamster · Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2015 5:57 am Post subject:

Yeah, that might work (rtm) if the employer actually realizes that the visa here has to be renewed before the contract would've been (rarely do visas and job contracts coincide to the day). From the sound of it however they seem to think that ssjup81 won't need to take even a day off to sort this out, and can continue working beyond the expiration date without any problem. Unfortunately for them, Immigration doesn't do a few days extra stay let alone an extra year gratis. But it would sure solve the immediate sponsorship at a stroke and leave ssjup with plenty of time to find a new employer. Again though, I doubt the current employer will be willing to do him or her any favours (and they surely could've considered a whole new year's visa back when it was extended in January for several months rather than just days).

rtm · Joined: 13 Apr 2007 Posts: 1003 Location: US

ssjup81 · Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2015 6:54 am Post subject:

I actually did ask for a year in January, but it was rejected and that's when they said I'd need a new sponsor.

As for a union, I'm not sure. I guess I could look into it.

ssjup81 · Posted: Sat Mar 21, 2015 9:56 am Post subject:

Well guys, seems my current company needs me to stay on a little longer and extending my contract by a month, meaning I can continue job hunting and I can get my visa extended for a month. They're also going to be flexible if I ever need any time off for personal reasons or for preparing to leave. Like on March 31, I requested the night off since I have an interview early April 1 and they're allowing me to take off that day.

Maitoshi · Joined: 04 May 2014 Posts: 718 Location: 何処でも

That sounds very generous of them! When you need them for something, they are like, "go pound sand," but now that they need you for something, they are all sorts of flexible. Class act, that.

ssjup81 · Posted: Mon Mar 23, 2015 2:30 am Post subject:

Seems like it. Just hope Immigration approves it. My manager says they should.

rxk22 · Joined: 19 May 2010 Posts: 1629

Can they really just extend your visa for a single month? I thought you had to do one year at the min.

Good luck!

ssjup81 · Posted: Mon Mar 23, 2015 5:05 am Post subject: