Job Discussion Forums

Serendipity · Joined: 14 Oct 2005 Posts: 36

Hey guys. I'm in a bit of difficult situation and I'd appreciate any of your wise words.

For the last month or so I've been looking for a teaching job so I can get my VISA renewed and continue living in this great little village called Tokyo. Due to bad luck (was lead to believe I had a job secured and it fell through at the last minute) I now find myself with 1 week on my working VISA and realistically, not enough time to sort out another job.

Overstaying my VISA is NOT a tempting option. Just wondering what I should do..

I've heard its possible to stroll into immigration and downgrade to a tourist VISA, anyone know anything more? The thought of going through the "certificate of edibility" process again is not tempting but I'm not in a position to be fussy right now.

Or maybe they would give me an extension of my working VISA to buy me some time to find another job?

Bit lost guys. Any info much appreciated.

PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan

Serendipity · Joined: 14 Oct 2005 Posts: 36

That sounds reassuring. I left my sponsored job earlier this year and have been doing freelance work since then; I wonder if this will rub them up the wrong way..

Would I have to prove anything like "financial security" or something?

"Certificate of edibility" I wonder if they'd laugh so hard they'd reach for the "permanent residence" stamp and "get crazy" all over my passport. A man can dream..

PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan

Serendipity · Joined: 14 Oct 2005 Posts: 36

I think self sponsorship is definetly the way to go, I've just got to get over this initial hurdle first (my bank records would NOT impress them..) and start thinking about my stay here in Japan a little more long term/seriously.

I guess it's a case of clean shirt, going to immigration, polite smiles and fingers crossed.. I just have this nightmare that I'll be given 3 days to pack up my life..

nomadder · Posted: Sun Oct 16, 2005 2:02 pm Post subject:

An extension should be no problem. A 1 year visa always runs out before the job if you came a week or so early for training and settling in. I needed a few extra days at the end of my first year and got at least a month, maybe 3. You have to go there twice I think and just get a stamp. Don't leave it too late.

Serendipity · Joined: 14 Oct 2005 Posts: 36

I guess that would make sense but I wonder if I can use that excuse seeing as I'm hardly between jobs; I quit my sponsored job 6 months ago!

My current plan is to go to one of the big schools in person, ironed shirt and all, on the off-chance they need someone pretty sharpish. If that fails, immigration office it is.

pnksweater · Joined: 24 Mar 2005 Posts: 173 Location: Tokyo, Japan

serendipity,

go to immigration first. You'll still need more time to process your new working visa when you do find someone to give you work. Buy yourself the time, then get cracking on the job.

Serendipity · Joined: 14 Oct 2005 Posts: 36

Now's the day I've got to do something.. still loitering around my apartment thinking what is the best thing to do today. You have a point, pnksweater; I had planned on going to some schools in person today but maybe buying some time at immigration may be a better plan. If they give me a month extention I'd have time to find a job that I'd actually WANT to do.

Thinking thinking thinking...

OK. I'm off to immigration. I'll post a reply later to say how it went.

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

If you don't post again, we'll know what happened.....

Serendipity · Joined: 14 Oct 2005 Posts: 36

You can't get rid of me that easily..

Made it back from immigration. After explaining my situation as honestly as I could their response was a little suprising (apparantly extending my working VISA was out of the question which seeing as I haven't had contact with my sponsor for 6 months is fair enough, now that I think about it).

The only option they gave me was to apply for a 1 month tourist VISA (not an on the spot jobby) which, as I said to them, baffled me a little. Instead of doing all the paper work and one or two more treks back there, wouldn't it just be easier for me to stroll down to Narita and take a day flight somewhere? I'd get a bit of a break and a 3 month tourist VISA to boot.

There was a bit of a pause after I said this.

The only problem being is that I MAY have to leave the country again to complete the VISA process.

Putting myself in their shoes I guess there isn't much else they can do in this situation. Just a bit disappointed I have to go through the "certificate of fidgetability" again. All in all it's probably not such a bad result.

One of my concerns was on arriving at Narita, would they definetly let me back in? (Considering my passport is full of Japanese working VISAs and it's obvious that I live here) she said "No problem, just say you are LOOKING for work and not STARTING work". Nice to know.

So, there it is. Hope it helps any others out there in a similar pickle.