Job Discussion Forums

[Swerlynstars]

I will be travelling to Japan soon to look for a job. I have a place to stay and plenty of cash to get through a few months of lean economic times.
I'm just wondering what I should say to the customs officials when I enter Japan. Should I say that the purpose of my visit is look for a job? Would this be a big mistake? Or should I just say that I'm visiting my friends?
I taught in Korea for a couple of years, but when I first entered that country on a tourist visa, I was told by my potential employer not to mention that I would be working, even though a week later they sent me out of the country (Osaka vias run) to obtain a work visa.

Is honesty the best policy in Japan?

Swerlynstars

"moderation ought to be not practiced to excess"[/quote]

[PAULH]

Swerlyn

If you roll up to immigration at the airport with a tourist visa and say that you plan to look for a job here you risk being detained, and put on the first plane back to your country. It is illegal to work on a tourist visa or to even think of looking for a job. people (like Americans who can not get working holiday visas) do come here on tourist visas and look for jobs after they arrive but if you tell immigration you plan to do something in contravention of your visa you risk being deported for your trouble.

tell them you are sightseeing, visiting relatives and if you find a job quietly slip out of the country and renew it into a work visa.

[canuck]

Actually, you don't have to leave the country anymore. But I would say you're coming to visit, meet some friends or have a nice holiday. Stamp...3 month visa. Look for work, and if you find it, get the paperwork done and change your visa. No need to leave the country.

[Shonai Ben]

They probably won't ask you anything but if they do don't tell them that you are looking for work.
Just say you are visiting a friend.It may help to have that friend's address with you just in case.
Enjoy your trip and relax!

[Kestrel]

So as far as the whole immigration thing is concerned: How suspicious are officials? I'm assuming it might be a bad idea to show up with a whole bunch of teaching books and a shiny new CELTA certificate. What about a backpack full of nice, interview-appropriate clothes? It seems like suit-and-tie would look incongruous coming out of a backpack (not to mention pretty wrinkled). I'd like to bring a reasonable amount of stuff with me so that I don't have to pay too much to get things shipped over once I get there, but I don't want to compromise the "No really, I'm just a harmless tourist" look.

Speaking of mailing stuff--anyone out there done the general delivery/poste restante thing in Kyoto? Is it a hassle? Any other tips on where one can send stuff to to pick up later?

Thanks for the tips, folks...

[PAULH]

Tourist Status

Canadians travelling to Japan for the purpose of tourism do not require a visa. Canadians who are granted leave to enter Japan for the purpose of tourism are permitted to remain in Japan for up to a maximum of 90 days.

However even though Canadians do not need a visa for the purpose of tourism, it is incumbent upon the Canadian traveller to satisfy the immigration officer at port of entry that the purpose of travel is indeed tourism. At a minimum the traveller must be able to present a valid passport which will not expire during his or her stay in Japan; a return airline ticket with a return date within 90 days of entry; proof of a place of stay in Japan; proof of sufficient funds to support him or herself during the stay in Japan; and an itinerary or explanation of activities that the traveller plans to engage in. If a traveller is unable to demonstrate that the intended purpose of visit is valid, he or she may be denied entry and in such a case, the carrying airline will remove the person back to the original point of embarkation. Persons denied entry will be held in an airline detention facility until such time as removal can occur. Additionally the airline may impose a charge upon the traveller to cover the costs of detention. Please note that the more frequently a visitor enters Japan, particularly where such visits are repeatedly of an extended duration, the greater scrutiny the traveller can expect to encounter.

[Swerlynstars]

Thanks for the replies. They've been very helpful. I guess I'm a bit stressed since I will be entering Japan for the 4th time within a year. Plus, I will have a open air ticket to go back to Canada, with no return date on it. It might look a bit suspicious to the immigration officer at the airport. I have a place to stay with my girlfriend and I have enough cash to do me for a few months, so I'm not so worried about that.
It seems to be a catch 22 situation. One must be in Japan to have a chance to get a half decent job, but one can't enter the country unless one is just a tourist. I have no intention of working illegally in Japan....I just want to go there, find a job and go through the hoops of getting a real work visa.
Now, I have to lie to immigration and hope they will let me in the country...yes, I would say it's a bit stressful.

Geeeshh....sometimes I wonder about the world.

Swerlynstars

[guest of Japan]

Imagine you are Mexican and are traveling to the US. How do you think things would go when the immigration officer asks the purpose of your visit and you reply, "I'm looking for work"?

[Shonai Ben]

I really feel you are worrying too much.Try to relax and enter Japan as a tourist.If the immigration officers suspect any unusual or nervous behavior then they will start asking questions.Stay cool as a cucumber and you will be fine.
Good luck.

[BenJ]

I was similarly worried about it all and made sure to have the ticket return date within 3 months, not too many teaching books etc. Got to airport with my girlfriend who is on a 6 mth working holiday visa which I though would be suspicious... Immigration guy asked me how long i was staying for, '3 months', he half looked as though he wanted to go through my bags then just waved us on.

Easy.