Job Discussion Forums

[Tiger Beer]

I'll be processing a work visa for Japan in Manila. Has anyone had experience with this in Manila?

I assume it's just as easy there as anywhere else, but thought I'd post to confirm the process.

[Gypsy Rose Kim]

I applied for my COE from Europe and had it delivered to my parents' house there (not my home country, but you already know that).

I took the COE with me back to Korea, dropped it off at the Japanese consulate in Seoul, and picked up my visa two days later. Nothing to it.

Don't forget the picture when you go to the consulate. I think you need four copies, maybe three. I forgot and had to go back the next day.

[Tiger Beer]

Thanks gypsy!

So you actually processed it in Seoul? I'm thinking I might have to as well.

I'm in the Philippines now, but different embasses seem to process work visas differently. Is Seoul the 'de facto' location that most ESL teachers in Japan go to do their work visa stuff?

I know whenever I did 'Korea work visas', it was really quick and easy to do visa runs in Japan, but often a week-long nightmare to do so in other countries.

[Glenski]

[Tiger Beer]

Just an update.

I inquired about doing it in Japan, and my employer was unsure, as she's heard some have been deported immediately if not accepted, and others were able to do it. We didn't take the risk and didn't need to, as I was in Manila in Seoul the last month anyways.

I'm in Seoul now, and was able to quickly recieve my visa. As I arrived late in the day, I had to pick it up the next morning. Had I arrived earlier, probably could have done it right there while waiting.

Prior to Seoul, I was in MANILA. If anyone later reads this thread, DON'T DO IT IN MANILA. As there are so many Filipinos trying to go to Japan, ALL NATIONALITIES in Manila must go through one of about ten agencies to approve the process. It's a royal mess and costly and time-consuming to do it in MANILA. In Seoul, it was quick and free and direct. In Manila, I would have had to spend a ton of money at an 'outside approving agency' and leave them money and come back a week to ten days later. I tried to bypass this step with going to the Embassy directly, but they told me without exceptions I had to go through one of these agencies to process any visa whatsoever in Manila.

[englishtutor1378]

Now this is a very interesting topic as many people have so many unanswered questions about visas.

First of all, as you all know in many countries you have to get a visa before you go into the country. In my case, when I came to Japan I got some green sticker on my passport with my picture from the Japan embassy in my home country and when I came through immigration here in Japan upon entry it was stamped "used". From that day onwards I held a valid working visa.

Now my convoluted question as some of your earlier posts mentioned is how is Japan any different, now? Your telling me that when my visa runs out this coming August and I do not get a extension I can simply go to immigration and change it over to a tourist visa and I will have an extra 90 days to look for a new full time job and I don't even have to leave the country? Or is this "case by case"?

As you all know, in many countries, especially the U.S if you don't get a visa before you go into the country and check in at the border with immigration with your working visa, you can not work there. As you all know, the U.S currently has this problem with illegal migrant workers.

But getting back on topic, when did this change come into place? Why is it that it is now so easy to get a working visa, or is it?