Job Discussion Forums

[bigjoe]

I read on Reddit that Heart English School will tell new hires to come to Japan on a tourist visa and then the company will help them convert their visa to a work visa once they are in the country. I also read that some people will come over and then find out last minute that they have no job because the BOE didn't renew their contract with Heart.

Do other ALT dispatch companies besides Heart do this shaddy tactic as well to try to get new recruits into Japan ASAP?

One guy had an interview with Heart on a Tuesday, found out he got the job on Friday that week, and was asked to come to Japan three days later on Monday. That's not a lot of time to get a work visa.

[jkozera]

if you're from the states we don't get tourist visas or holiday visas so I wouldn't worry about that

[rtm]

[jkozera]

Does a tourist visa give you longer than 90 days? I know that we don't need a visa to enter Japan and can stay for up to 90 days
Edit: did a little research and a tourist visa from the states is pointless :p

[Maitoshi]

JK, are you a U.S. citizen and have you entered Japan to visit for 90 days or less? What do you call the stamp immigration puts in your passport?

[jkozera]

been twice, didn't get a stamp, got a sticker that states "temporary visitor valid for 90 days" no visa is required for a US citizen to enter and stay in Japan for less than 90 days, I received landing permission

[rtm]

[Maitoshi]

That's the visa. The last one that I have as a stamp was from 2003. The rest are stickers, except for the exit stamp. The common misconception is that we don't need a visa. We do not need to apply in advance, but are granted one on arrival. All my stickers/stamps have Landing Permission on the top. Only the status changes. Other than temporary visitor, we need prior approval. Gaining a Temporary Visitor status with the intention of working is visa fraud.

[Maitoshi]

Employers are supposed to copy the first page of the passport and the Landing Permission page. Also Residence Card, both sides. The visa status should match on both, as should the type of work, if the visa has a working restriction.

[Maitoshi]

Never mind, I'm wrong.

[Maitoshi]

But the important legal bit is the Status of Residence. Technically, the visa is the prior permission that is granted. This immediately becomes invalid once Landing Permission and a Status of Residence is granted. That's why employers don't need a copy of the visa.

[Maitoshi]

When we talk about renewing or changing visa type, we are really referring to changing our status of residence.

[Maitoshi]

I guess "visa" just rolls off the tongue more easily than status of residence

[RM1983]

[bigjoe]