Job Discussion Forums

luckbox · Joined: 18 Mar 2006 Posts: 180

I wonder if anyone has looked into whether or not the travel health coverage offered by credit card companies can be used during the the first part of your work stay in Japan.

I have one of those Visa gold cards that covers me pretty extensively for the first 90 days outside my home country. But not sure if the insurance would be void by virtue of being in Japan on a work visa rather than tourist visa. Could be a way to save you a couple months or more in health insurance costs. Ideal for those going on short 3-month work terms.

JimDunlop2 · Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Posts: 2286 Location: Japan

A quick call to Visa would probably sort that out for you... But I imagine that you would be covered given the virtue of the coverage -- up to 90 days outside your home country.

Unless you have to mail the visa page of your passport to your credit card company, I don't see how it would make a difference. The fact that it's meant to be a short-term policy would make it feasible for a short-term stay but of course, anything past 90 days and you'll be looking for Japanese health insurance.