Job Discussion Forums

[cafebleu]

I`ve recently read on other internet sites (which I don`t post on as I hate the appalling quality of debate on them) about working in Japan, so much stuff about `self sponsorship`. My visa is good for some time so it is not a direct concern of mine - yet. However, the whole matter is very interesting.

It is generally agreed that there is no set income per month to renew your visa by having a number of different contracts with different schools. Essentially that is `self sponsorship` although Immigration does not recognise this term.However, with the exceptions such as those people in Tokyo who have had their visas renewed on an income of around 160,000 yen per month, I believe the amount we are really looking at is 180,000 yen upwards. That is widely accepted as being correct.

I have read the following conflicting opinions -

1) To renew your visa in the above way you MUST have ONE school paying you at least 180,000 yen per month and that school will be your sponsor.

2) To renew your visa in the above way you DON`T NEED to have one school paying you that rate - as long as you make at least 180,000 yen per month from different jobs, you can renew your visa. You DO NEED to have one school willing to be your sponsor but that school does not have to be paying you 180,000 yen - just needs to be the main employer.

I have also heard different things about Immigration from different sources. According to one it is difficult to self sponsor as Immigration wants a list of as many employers as possible (not just the main school) and wants all their details - profit/loss statement, etc. Without even trying to do this, it is clear that if you are working a few hours here, a few hours there for different schools, it is highly unlikely those schools are going to want to deal with Immigration for an employer who works few hours for them.

So - what is really going on regarding these matters? Ｉｔ�ｓ a fascinating topic and it`s drawing many conflicting opinions. My situation is not relevant to this at the present but in the future you never know.
Again - any experts of the likes of Glenski, Paul H, Guest of Japan, Homer Simpson, Shonai Ben are asked to post their opinions.

[guest of Japan]

I'm not an expert on this, but since I was quite honored by your placing me in the class or experts, I'll give it a go.

It is true that the title "self-sponsor" is a misnomer. You still need someone to act as your sponsor. From what I understand it is quite vague. I think it is essential that you show a specific amount of income probably around the 180,000 yen figure you quoted. I don't believe it has to be by one employer.

A friend of mine did it. He visited a small business attorney and turned his private students into a legitimate business. He then got a doctor friend of his to sign on as a partner. The doctor had nothing to do with starting, running, or collecting profits of the business. He was just a distinguished name to act as a shadow partner. When it became time for my friend to do his visa the doctor acted as his sponsor, and the records of his business operations showed his financial viability.

My friend's sister and her fiance have since followed the same route.

[Glenski]

I do not have the definitive answer on this, but here's my take.

Look at it from Immigration's POV. Prove you are able to make a certain amount (their mystical number which is probably somewhere above 150,000 but chosen by each immigration office using the dartboard technique after they make you take part in bureaucratic nonsense akin to Tokyo Friend Park 2).

Therefore, as long as you can prove you make a certain amount, I would figure you have to show the miniｍum accepted total comes from one or more employers that they recognize and accept as reputable.

If the employers for whom you work part-time are unwilling to provide immigration with documentation, they may simply be as in the dark about "self-sponsorship" as most of us are. Can't fault them for that.

I would, however, suspect that immigration would like just one place to label as your sponsor. Just a feeling.

One last suggestion is to look at the book A Japanese Visa Handbook, by Motoko Kuroda, ICG Muse, Inc. Perhaps there is an answer in it. I do not own a copy, or I'd take a peek and let you know.

[canuck]

I have the answer. A friend of mine did it. He had a few part-time jobs. He did the self sponsorship thing to get his visa. He went to immigration, got the appropriate paperwork. He got letters from each of his employers saying that he was working, how much money he was making etc. He had to get around 250,000 yen worth of contracts to show immigration. That was it. He was on a working holiday visa and changed it to a one year working visa. Talk to immigration. They will tell you.

[Sherri]

Several years ago, I was told by a woman who worked for immigration that they hate the term "self sponsorship", they prefer the term "multiple sponsorship". I think calling it self-sponsorship is confusing. You cannot sponsor yourself for a visa.

[David W]

The conflicting replies you've received in this thread should give you your answer Cafebleu. The answer is, there is no answer. If you want to know what YOUR situation is you have to go to YOUR immigration office and ask them THEIR requirements. It is quite obvious that requirements vary from office to office and more than likely the immigration has "guidelines" rather than hard and fast rules about what is needed for a visa. Good luck.