Job Discussion Forums

[Khyron]

Here is the situation:

I was formerly working in Korea (teaching), and am now in Japan. I have a sponser and everything, and was sent all of the information, etc., that was thought was needed for a visa. When I took all of the documents to the Japanese embassy (Busan, Korea), I was told that I needed a certificate of eligibility. I went to Japan anyway, and am now working as a `volunteer`.

Anyway, I got the forms for this certificate of eligibility and called the immigration office to double check that I knew what was needed for my working visa. I was told that I needed to go to a Japanese consulate in my HOME COUNTRY, to get my visa. I told him that I was planning to do this in Korea, as it was much closer and THEY TOLD ME I COULD. This just did not seem to compute with him, and he told me again that I needed to go to the Japanese consulate in my home country (Canada, in my case). Of course, I have no intention of flying all the way to Canada when Korea is just a couple of hours away (and a lot cheaper).

Can anyone confirm if what the immigration guy on the phone was telling me was BS? Flying all the way to Canada, just to go to a Japanese consulate seems stupid, when I could just go to a consulate in a much closer country (ie. Korea). I have done this, except in reverse order, before from Korea (getting a Korean work visa from a Korean consulate in Japan).


Thanks all!

[PAULH]

Total BS

You have to leave Japan but can get a visa at any Japanese embassy outside the country.

My advice is try a different immigration office in a different city.

No one flies home just to renew a visa.

PS I would not recommend working for free or as a volunteer while you dont have a visa to work here. Fastest way to get yourself deported for working illegally.


More info on getting COE outside Japan

http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/03.html#c

[Khyron]

Thanks PaulH.

I was thinking that guy was talking BS (ie. he didn't know what he was talking about).

I'll just go to Korea as I planned when I get my cert. of eligibility.

Cheers!

[Khyron]

I found out today, that if you talk nicely to the guy at the ward office, he will speed you though the system and convert your tourist visa to a work visa without even leaving the country.

Who would've thought?

[PAULH]

[Khyron]

Probably. I think it's actually the same building in Saitama. Either that, or I'm just confused.