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ldeeep
Joined: 27 Feb 2007
Posts: 20
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 Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2007 10:49 pm Post subject: considering "winging-it" in japan for a year |
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hi, i'm new....great site, i wish i would have found it earlier.
well, i'm 25, and i'll be completing my associates degree after this semester. i have a chronic case of wanderlust, and i'd like to spend a year in japan before i transfer to a 4 year school to finish my BA. i would prefer to tutor in english rather than teach classes, but teaching classes would be fine with me. i know that i wouldn't qualify for many organizations like JET due to my lack of a BA, but i do have a lot of what you could call "semi-professional" work experience...ie, non entry level office, helpdesk......and i'll have at least one semester of tutoring in english under my belt.
i'm from the U.S., and i think my "image" would be attractive to japanese employers looking for english tutors/teachers.  people say i look irish?
i'm interested in other asian countries like china, korea, thailand, indonesia, but i'm choosing japan, because i've taken 18 credits of japanese, and i'd like to be able to communicate w/the population.
i have a few japanese penpals in japan, and i'm hoping that they may be able to assist me in things like finding an apartment, etc., but my senses tell me not to put too much faith in them.....
i have thick skin, and am ready to deal with the unavoidable discrimination that i will encounter....
a couple of my friends went to japan last year on a 2 week trip, and they know me, and they said that i would enjoy it there.
now, do you think my lack of a BA will severly affect my teacher/tutor employment search? even if i find a job, will they pay me in rice balls? should i keep my gaijin tookus in the US until i finish my BA? i'd really like to visit now when i'm 25 rather than when i'm 27 for some reason.
i'm just looking to satisfy my wanderlust, make some money, enjoy the nightlife, "broaden my cultural horizons" and have some fun. are there any alarm bells going off in your collective heads? |
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Quibby84
Joined: 10 Aug 2006
Posts: 643
Location: Japan
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| Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2007 11:01 pm Post subject: |
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I think you need a degree to get a visa, but i am not 100% sure, there may be ways. I just know that even with our degree getting a visa is a long annoying process. But you need to look into that, maybe someone will post soon. Japan is awesome and you would love it, there is always somewhere to go and something to see, it is also very safe (which is the best thing).
But hey, if worse comes to worse and you really want to come to Japan you could get a holiday visa then come here and fall in love with a japanese....lol.
(someone will give you really answers soon....I just responded because no one has yet...) |
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Atlas*
Joined: 23 Jul 2006
Posts: 42
Location: Komagome, Kita-ku TOKYO
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| Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2007 11:21 pm Post subject: |
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from what i have seen it will be rather difficult for you to get a job here without a degree as it is a major requirement for a visa, unless you are getting a student visa or cultural activities visa. you could then get permission to work I believe upto 20 hours per week outside of your schooling or activity. try a search for student visa or cultural activities visa on this forum, it should have the info you are looking for. you can even find out most of the info from a more accurate source - directly from japanese immigration.
I also believe that the working holiday visa wouldn:t be an option for you as you are from the US and they don't participate in that program. I'm sure others will reiterate what I have said further.
Good luck in your jobhunt anyway |
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Neongene
Joined: 18 Dec 2006
Posts: 51
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| Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2007 11:27 pm Post subject: |
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Grab yourself a working holiday visa, save about 3000 dollars,and hop on a plane.
The Criteria for a working holiday VISA is:
2500-3000 in travellers checks
20-30ish
Breathing
Tell potential employers you are going to be in that area and say you would like to meet them if possible. This will help you get a job alot quicker since some jobs demand that you be In japan in order to be considered.
I'm going the other route, i'm going to get a job in advance and let them hold my hand in my 1st+ month.
You seem to have a good head on your shoulders so i think you will do well. Go for it. |
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chinagirl
Joined: 27 May 2003
Posts: 235
Location: United States
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| Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2007 11:31 pm Post subject: working holiday |
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| As stated by a previous poster, the OP is not eligible for a Working Holiday visa as an American. |
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Quibby84
Joined: 10 Aug 2006
Posts: 643
Location: Japan
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| Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2007 11:44 pm Post subject: |
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| I think you can only go for 90 days on a tourist visa.... |
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Neongene
Joined: 18 Dec 2006
Posts: 51
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| Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2007 11:48 pm Post subject: Re: working holiday |
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| chinagirl wrote: |
| As stated by a previous poster, the OP is not eligible for a Working Holiday visa as an American. |
My bad, i thought the US was in the program. |
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ldeeep
Joined: 27 Feb 2007
Posts: 20
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| Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2007 12:21 am Post subject: |
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one of my friends (one of the ones that went to japan) told me that you need at least an associates degree for a work visa in japan. he may be wrong, but...
i'll be getting my associates this may. that's a degree, right?
if i need at least a bachelors, then this is all out of the question for now....
i'll see if i can find the info. |
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Gordon
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Posts: 5309
Location: Japan
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| Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2007 12:33 am Post subject: |
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| ldeeep wrote: |
one of my friends (one of the ones that went to japan) told me that you need at least an associates degree for a work visa in japan. he may be wrong, but...
i'll be getting my associates this may. that's a degree, right?
if i need at least a bachelors, then this is all out of the question for now....
i'll see if i can find the info. |
It must be a bachelor's degree. An associate's degree is not enough. |
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canuck
Joined: 11 May 2003
Posts: 1921
Location: Japan
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| Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2007 12:33 am Post subject: |
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| ldeeep wrote: |
one of my friends (one of the ones that went to japan) told me that you need at least an associates degree for a work visa in japan. he may be wrong, but...
i'll be getting my associates this may. that's a degree, right?
if i need at least a bachelors, then this is all out of the question for now....
i'll see if i can find the info. |
The only way you'll get a visa with a 2 year associates degree, or what other countries call a diploma, is if your application slips through immigration, and they make a mistake. It happens, but don't count on it. You don't have the minimum requirements for a visa. |
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JimDunlop2
Joined: 31 Jan 2003
Posts: 2286
Location: Japan
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| Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2007 12:39 am Post subject: Re: considering "winging-it" in japan for a year |
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Hi ldeep. I hate sounding like the negative bad guy here, especially when someone sounds so eager and enthusiastic, however reality probably will serve you better in the long run rather than a "sure -- give it a try" type answer that may leave you disappointed (at best) or stranded (at worst).
| ldeeep wrote: |
| i know that i wouldn't qualify for many organizations like JET due to my lack of a BA, but i do have a lot of what you could call "semi-professional" work experience...ie, non entry level office, helpdesk......and i'll have at least one semester of tutoring in english under my belt. |
Unfortunately, experience alone is usually insufficient to secure a visa. If you have considerable experience, you may be able to avoid the bachelor's degree requirement, but it definitely takes much, much more than 1 semester of tutoring.
| ldeeep wrote: |
i'm from the U.S., and i think my "image" would be attractive to japanese employers looking for english tutors/teachers. people say i look irish? |
You've got nothing special going there for ya that would give you any kind of edge over competition. We have tons of people from countries other than the U.S. and people of all skin colours and ethnic background. Employers usually don't weigh this too heavily. It will make even less of a difference if competing for a job with someone who supersedes your education level.
| ldeeep wrote: |
i'm interested in other asian countries like china, korea, thailand, indonesia, but i'm choosing japan, because i've taken 18 credits of japanese, and i'd like to be able to communicate w/the population. |
Communicate you may, but using it to find a job -- probably not. At least not initially. This can often be a hindrance rather than a benefit if an employer doesn't want teachers speaking to the students in Japanese.
| ldeeep wrote: |
i have a few japanese penpals in japan, and i'm hoping that they may be able to assist me in things like finding an apartment, etc., but my senses tell me not to put too much faith in them..... |
Your senses are probably correct... Everything is happy and friendly until you need a favour... Then it's air sucking through the teeth, grimacing and saying.. "chotto.... muzukashii...." They may be able to help with a few things, but in terms of finding accommodations, you'll still probably need to have all the necessary money to move in and whatnot (deposit, key money, etc)....
| ldeeep wrote: |
i have thick skin, and am ready to deal with the unavoidable discrimination that i will encounter.... |
Just don't put that on your resume.
| ldeeep wrote: |
now, do you think my lack of a BA will severly affect my teacher/tutor employment search? even if i find a job, will they pay me in rice balls? should i keep my gaijin tookus in the US until i finish my BA? i'd really like to visit now when i'm 25 rather than when i'm 27 for some reason. |
Yes, it WILL severely hinder your prospects as you have neither: a degree, nor adequate experience, nor the ability to get a working holiday visa, nor a Japanese spouse. You can be the friendliest, genkiest guy on the planet, but if a company can't get you a visa, you just won't be able to stay in the country long enough for them to pay you those rice balls.
| ldeeep wrote: |
i'm just looking to satisfy my wanderlust, make some money, enjoy the nightlife, "broaden my cultural horizons" and have some fun. are there any alarm bells going off in your collective heads? |
Personally, if you're really jonesin' to come to Japan, come to Japan to visit. Don't waste time and money. Come, enjoy yourself, have a wonderful holiday, and when you're done with your degree, you'll already have been here once so you'll be able to orient yourself much faster, and have already satisfied any urges to see/visit a zillion places and be able to concentrate on settling in and beginning a new job.
That's my two bits. |
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ldeeep
Joined: 27 Feb 2007
Posts: 20
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| Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2007 2:52 pm Post subject: |
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hmmmm.....yeah, here http://www.aacircle.com.au/visas-japan.htm it states "If you can show a certain number of years relevant work experience you are eligible to apply for a visa that permits work. Each visa and industry has different requirements."
which may close the door to some visas, but open the doors to others. i have years of experience in many areas....and even if i get a visa in one area, i don't think they are going to throw me in jail if i take a few private tutoring jobs on the side. or not...if i don't want to. i also have a 1 year cert in computer hardware/software and a few years of experience, so i may be able to pursue that route. i could also check into entertainment/art visas as i'm a "techno" DJ, and i know i'd eventually find work that way too. i have more research to do.
in any case, i'll probably end up going on a tourist visa, see what i can do visa-wise, and whatever happens, so be it.
thanks for the info |
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earthmonkey
Joined: 18 Feb 2005
Posts: 188
Location: Meguro-Ku Tokyo
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| Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2007 4:41 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| which may close the door to some visas, but open the doors to others. i have years of experience in many areas....and even if i get a visa in one area, i don't think they are going to throw me in jail if i take a few private tutoring jobs on the side. or not...if i don't want to. i also have a 1 year cert in computer hardware/software and a few years of experience, so i may be able to pursue that route. |
Your understanding of the visa process is backwards. You don't just walk into the immigration office, tell them that you can fix computers or that you have some other skill, and they give you a visa. You've got to find a job first. Then, that employer will sponsor your visa. That leaves out English schools, because you need a bachelor's. There are good IT jobs here, but you'll need more than a one year cert. to get one.
| Quote: |
| i could also check into entertainment/art visas as i'm a "techno" DJ, and i know i'd eventually find work that way too. |
Are you well known? Do you have fans here? If not, I wouldn't count on any actual paid DJ work, much less a visa.
| Quote: |
| i have more research to do. |
Actually, all your questions have been answered. You just don't like the answers. What's wrong with being 27 when you get here? |
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ldeeep
Joined: 27 Feb 2007
Posts: 20
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| Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2007 6:48 pm Post subject: |
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| earthmonkey wrote: |
| Quote: |
| which may close the door to some visas, but open the doors to others. i have years of experience in many areas....and even if i get a visa in one area, i don't think they are going to throw me in jail if i take a few private tutoring jobs on the side. or not...if i don't want to. i also have a 1 year cert in computer hardware/software and a few years of experience, so i may be able to pursue that route. |
Your understanding of the visa process is backwards. You don't just walk into the immigration office, tell them that you can fix computers or that you have some other skill, and they give you a visa. You've got to find a job first. Then, that employer will sponsor your visa. That leaves out English schools, because you need a bachelor's. There are good IT jobs here, but you'll need more than a one year cert. to get one.
| Quote: |
| i could also check into entertainment/art visas as i'm a "techno" DJ, and i know i'd eventually find work that way too. |
Are you well known? Do you have fans here? If not, I wouldn't count on any actual paid DJ work, much less a visa.
| Quote: |
| i have more research to do. |
Actually, all your questions have been answered. You just don't like the answers. What's wrong with being 27 when you get here? |
actually, i was well aware that i would have to find a job and a "sponsor" before i could get a work visa.
keep in mind that there are many private english schools, and i'm sure most still require a BA, but not all. plus, i can be rather charming in person
i probably have enough education and experience to get a tech job in japan. if i can work on the tech helpdesk at the NHQ of a huge insurance company in the US, i can probably land something in japan.
i'm not counting on DJ gigs to get a visa. i said it was a possibility.
you act like i'm looking for plane tickets already! if i'm going to go to japan anytime soon, it will be next fall or next year, so right now i'm doing some initial research to see what my possibilities are. if any.
i know it's a big deal, and i know a lot of people mess up when they go there even if they plan their best. but i'm a big boy, and i know exactly what i'm doing (which, again, right now is initial research) , so the paternalism isn't necessary. |
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Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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| Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2007 10:09 pm Post subject: |
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| do you think my lack of a BA will severly affect my teacher/tutor employment search? |
Simple answer: YES
Your link may have stated that a few years of schooling will get you in, but by far that is not the case. I can show you a guy who DID sneak past immigration with only an associate's degree, but he did so in a non-teaching field, and he had a very good lawyer to help pad his resume.
Otherwise, don't make life harder on yourself than it has to be. People like yourself (degreeless and very enthusiastic) come to forums like this several times a year. Try to search for their threads, because the answer is always the same (what you see here).
Try, too, to read the FAQs (2 stickies here) and the requirements for visas .
http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/index.html
http://www.immi-moj.go.jp/english/tetuduki/t_main.html#zairyuu |
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