Job Discussion Forums

[JRJohn]

Can you help? I have a friend who was an ALT.　on an Instructor Visa. . He had to leave his job, and got a job with a private language school. His newschool said he did not need to change to a Humanities visa, at least not until his old visa runs out. However, I am not sure. I think you have to change it before you start a new job, or within 2 weeks. But it has been more than that. Can any of you advise me what he should do? i will e-mail your answers to him.

[Glenski]

Tell your friend and his boss at the eikaiwa to read this link from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs about visas.
http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/04.html

They'll both clearly see that he is not on the right visa.

Don't sweat it much. Just go in for the change, and as long as the employer is willing to sponsor him, things should go ok. If the immigration staff ask why he is working on that visa, just say he didn't know any better. Be polite, humble, and apologetic.

I wouldn't even say I was working yet. Silence can ge golden. But the employer is going to have to provide a contract, so they may see the start date and wonder, but if he is sincere about his naivete, they should still give him the change in status.