Job Discussion Forums

Yawarakaijin · Joined: 20 Jan 2006 Posts: 504 Location: Middle of Nagano

What is lucky about meeting the qualifications set out by the immigration ministry for a Humanities visa and then getting the appropriate visa?

ShapeSphere · Joined: 16 Oct 2004 Posts: 386

I've dragged up a very divisive issue again. (And it won't be the last time this argument rages on I imagine). For people like Yawarakaijin and myself without a degree, then this Specialist in Humanities visa is a valid option. For people with a degree, they feel it's a loophole. You can check the law here:

http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/appendix1.html

Specialist in Humanities section:

The applicant must have at least 3 years of experience in work relating to the relevant job. However, this does not apply if the applicant has graduated from college and is planning to engage in work involving translation, interpreting, or language instruction.

I found Yawarakaijin's post http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=34135 inspiring, but needed the hard evidence for myself. That I found thanks to PAULH's link.

However, I will concede that most schools want the applicant to have a degree. They are either unaware of the law or know it but feel that a prospective employee must have a degree, so as to display a proven level of education. This Specialist in Humanities visa is unusual, but I've been offered a job in Fukuoka and want it. The Tokyo Head Office of the school says "it's difficult to get a visa without a degree", but I've informed them of the law. But, if I had a degree it would be very simple and clear cut. I'll see what happens.

womblingfree - I don't qualify for a working holiday visa. The law is clear:
http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/w_holiday/programme.html#1

Applicant must be between 18 and 30 years of age (25 years in principal for the U.K. at the time of application.)

Too old!

Regard the MA. The Open University states http://www3.open.ac.uk/courses/bin/p12.dll?C01wE844

qualified teacher status and at least three years� teaching experience.

But when I gave it more thought I would feel more comfortable doing a BA first. I'm sure it will be a huge challenge for now.

Anyway, thanks for all the replies. I've got the answers I needed. Either way, if I manage to get a job in Japan or go back to China, I'm going to be doing some form of degree ASAP. I will feel happier with it, it will make life easier, and the resulting improvement in my education is an absolute positive.

womblingfree · Joined: 04 Mar 2006 Posts: 826

joshua s · Joined: 18 Oct 2005 Posts: 6

Well CANUCK has a habbit of posting his own idea of facts and he also posts a NO for anyone who asks if there is another way to teach in Japan with out a visa.(According to CANUCK) Everyone who gets a visa without a degree is either lucky or a dishonest person
He must think that a degree makes you wise and the only person capable of teaching a child to say ABC.(Others on this site are really great, so keep up the good work and try to help each other.)

I can say that I asked the same question about a month ago, YES you CAN get a VISA without a degree. Please PM me if you want some help.

You are not using a loop hole, or cheating the system. Its just a matter of getting all your paper work together, getting a job offer, and letting the company you are going to work for know that you dont have a degree.(You will not get a work visa, you will get a SHV)9YOU MUST HAVE 3 YEARS DOCUMENTED TEACHING PRACTICE)

Hope this helps.

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

Specialist in
Humanities/
International
Services The applicant must fulfill the following conditions. However, these conditions shall not apply in cases where the applicant plans to engage in work involving proxy duties in procedures relating to international arbitration cases as designated in Article 58-2 of the Foreign Lawyer's Law (Law No. 66 of 1986).
1. When planning to engage in work requiring knowledge in the humanities, the applicant must have acquired the relevant knowledge by graduating from college majoring in a subject relevant to the knowledge required for performing the work concerned, or by receiving an equivalent or higher level of education, or by accumulating at least 10 years of practical experience in the planned work (including the period of time spent majoring in a subject related to the required knowledge at college, "Koto senmongakko", senior high school, the latter half of unified secondary school, or during specialized course of study at an advanced vocational school ("Senshugakko")).
2. When planning to engage in work requiring specific ways of thought or sensitivity based on experience with foreign culture, the applicant must fulfill the following conditions:
The applicant is to engage in translation, interpretation, language instruction, public relations, advertising, overseas transactions, fashion or interior design, product development, or other similar work.
The applicant must have at least 3 years of experience in work relating to the relevant job. However, this does not apply if the applicant has graduated from college and is planning to engage in work involving translation, interpreting, or language instruction.
3. The applicant should receive no less salary than a Japanese national would receive for comparable work.

Yawarakaijin · Joined: 20 Jan 2006 Posts: 504 Location: Middle of Nagano

Josh, you have picked up on it and I have as well. Ever since I joined this forum I have tried to be cordial. Canuck seems to have a real problem. On a couple occassions he has been less than cordial, down right rude in my opinion in some cases. I dont spend enough time here to do that cut at paste stuff but I recall him once even attacking a poster because he deciede to double space his posts.

Seems to me Canuck is just a bitter indivdual, he rarely has anything constructive to say. I'm sure he's gonna read it but I dont really care anymore, I let it slide quite a few times but now I'm gonna call it like I see it. If anyone would like to validate/contradict what I've said try doing a search of our previous posts:)

womblingfree · Joined: 04 Mar 2006 Posts: 826

Yawarakaijin · Joined: 20 Jan 2006 Posts: 504 Location: Middle of Nagano

How can the 3 years not apply to teaching when the immigration authority specifically states that under the SHV language instruction is clearly indicated?

womblingfree · Joined: 04 Mar 2006 Posts: 826

Sweetsee · Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Posts: 2302 Location: ) is everything

I second that Yawarakaijin; said poster is negative, condescending and unfriendly. How about turning it around?

Yawarakaijin · Joined: 20 Jan 2006 Posts: 504 Location: Middle of Nagano

I've outlined my entire experience in another thread so this will be very brief.

I came back from Japan after doing my working holiday visa. I decided that teaching esl was something I would like to do. Not having the money to go back to school I took a 3 month course at a local esl school in Vancouver. I worked my ass off. I guess I impressed and was offered a position as the schools activity co-ordinator and part time teacher. That part time position later turned into a full time position. Stayed at the school for almost 5 years. There you go, there is my 3 years experience in the relevant field. My employer in Japan was aware of the specialist in humanities visa and prefered hiring people with experience rather than fresh college graduates. No doubt the fact that my employer knew of this visa was a huge bonus. I supplied him with 4 years of T-4 slips proving my employment at a language school in Canada and here I am.

Some posters have hinted that I was " extremely lucky" or that I snuck in because I was less than honest. Its all total bullshit. The ministry says you need to prove 3 years of experience in a related field to get the SHV. I met the requirements and got the visa. I still have poeple doubting me...hey IM HERE! Just had my visa extended for another 3 years. Two guys I work with are in the exact same position as I am.

womblingfree · Joined: 04 Mar 2006 Posts: 826

Well I'd say having a TEFL certificate and some experience is at least as good as having a random BA.

With a TEFL/ESL certificate you can teach back home too. Many TEFL courses require a BA first so I was a bit confused.

ShapeSphere · Joined: 16 Oct 2004 Posts: 386

Just to let people know that I have now got a Specialist in Humanities Visa and of course a job in Kyushu.

I do not have a degree, but as is clearly indicated on the MOFA site; a minimum of three years teaching experience is completely acceptable. (I have five years and TESOL).

Some people say it is not possible to teach in Japan without a degree. This is false.

However, you will have to convince and educate the school what is possible. Most seem to be clueless regard the issue.

It wasn`t easy, but it wasn`t impossible.

Thanks to those who informed me of the facts and that it could be done.

(This topic will turn up again and again. And it has recently).

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

womblinfree wrote: