Job Discussion Forums

mikeman400 · Joined: 27 Feb 2008 Posts: 4

I read in the FAQ that you can go to Japan without a work visa and find an employer to sponsor you to get a visa without too much trouble.

I have a place to stay in Japan so the housing isn't an issue for me. Never the less, the person at the local consulate insists that I will not be able to get a work visa this way and I will have to return to the USA before Japan will issue me a visa. He says something recently changed in the laws at the end of last year. He also tells me that if I go to Japan on a temporary visitor visitor and intend on getting a job they might look at that as being dishonest. I don't know that I believe this guy.

Anyone have any recent experience in getting sponsorship in Japan? I'm tired of trying to find a job from 8,000 miles away. [/code]

ontoit · Joined: 18 Jun 2006 Posts: 99

Find the job first. Life will be much easier.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

The consulate is just being conservative. If you enter Japan and tell immigration or customs you are job hunting, they will put you back on the plane.

You can job hunt here. Many do. You also don't have to leave the country to complete visa processing. People stopped requiring that about 3-4 years ago.

Don't sweat it. Just prepare sufficiently so you minimize the waste of time.

Or just get a job before you come. Fewer, of course, available, but they are there.

fat-elvis · Joined: 08 Feb 2008 Posts: 24

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Yes, of course, fat-elvis. Even the big eikaiwa, which have prearranged housing for its teachers, can't FORCE you to live somewhere. AEON says you still have to pay for its housing even if you don't live there, but that is an exception.

The bigger schools have their vacancies and unless you show good reason to live in a certain area, they will put you where they feel you should go as far as work goes. It's up to you to decide whether to take the job or whether you want their housing or not. Of course, it's not cheap to rent on your own; eikaiwa with housing will have places furnished for you and they will pay the security deposits (key money), but you don't HAVE to live there.

AgentMulderUK · Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 11:52 am Post subject:

Mike,

I have done what you are describing twice, most recently being last year.

I can confirm that I did not have to leave Japan in the time it took for my tourist visa to be changed to a work visa.

However....

..... it could happen. For example, if you are allowed 3 months as a tourist in Japan (I have no idea how long Americans are allowed), and you didn't find work until say,the 10th week, then you would have to hope and pray "The Department" processes your change of status before your time limit (as a visitor) expires. Since it takes about 4-6 weeks for them to do that, you can see that you don't have so long to get there and get searching and find yourself a job, so to kick off the conversion process.

You can even work with that visa undergoing processing. I did just that only last year. Both of the small campanies that I worked for operated that way, and I know for a fact that one of the big ones also does that.

There are also one or 2 small companies that "employ" tourists in exchange for a room or similar, so officially I suppose they are not paying you a wage. Don't know much about that,other than it exists.

If you have a degree you stand half a chance. If you have a tefl certificate to wave about, your chance is increased slighty. What experience do you have of teaching? What level of Japanese do you have?

Are you young enough to qualify for a Working Holiday Visa,if indeed America has such a deal with Japan?

If you are going to do it, my advice, for what its worth, would be to go soon, as lots of hiring goes on now, especially for those replacements where disillusioned youngsters drop out or never actually arrive for their new term placement. If you are going on a working holiday,then all is well and good, otherwise if you intend to go as a tourist make sure immigration know you are going as a tourist. The fact you are going to be 'touring' companies is another matter Wink

However, ask yourself this, because its the question you will get asked.

Why do you want to come to Japan?

Mulder

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

The USA does not have a working holiday visa agreement with Japan, so his age is moot, Mulder.

Also, as long as he gets his "pending visa" mark in his passport, he can stay beyond the original expiration date of his tourist stay (90 days for Americans). In fact, if he leaves during that time he would probably invalidate the visa processing.

Yes, you can theoretically work under a pending visa, but I wouldn't advertise it, especially to immigration.

AgentMulderUK · Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 5:29 pm Post subject:

Pilot82 · Joined: 22 Mar 2008 Posts: 150

Well thats the route I'm going to take...go to Japan and job hunt from there, prefferably Osaka. I have my Degree and TESOL Cert, so I'll have an edge. I'll save a substantial amount and stay in a hostel, they are pretty cheap.

Foole · Joined: 19 Sep 2007 Posts: 7

Hello all, I read the OP and I'm thinking of doing exactly the same thing, coming over for the 90 day job hunt.

My question is this: I'm American, so we get a 90 day landing permit. Is it possible to leave Japan before the 90 days is up, go back to America for a week or so, and then turn back around to Japan and get another 90 day permit until I find a job and get a proper visa? Does immigration frown upon this?

markle · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 1316 Location: Out of Japan

Foole · Joined: 19 Sep 2007 Posts: 7

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Foole · Joined: 19 Sep 2007 Posts: 7

Thanks Glenski.

If I understand correctly, the peak hiring season is March and April due to the ending and beginning of the Japanese school year. I suppose the WORST times to job hunt would be during any big holiday season (Golden week, Obon) and at New Years.

I wish I could already be there now to job hunt since this is the best time, but it's just not possible. The earliest I can begin would be May since I already have 2 interviews lined up here in America in April. If neither of those interviews pan out, I'm coming to Japan anyway.

My tentative plan:
Arrive just after Golden week. 90 days should carry me until Obon.
Network network network every day. Follow up every lead and travel anywhere within Japan for interviews.
Bring enough cash, goes without saying. No shopping or unnecessary expenditures.
Try to get a part time teaching gig if possible for the cash and for the experience, even if I can't get a visa. Maybe even try to get some privates. (I can work cheap.)
If I can't make it happen in 90 days, then tell immigration to extend me for a month? a week? How much can I get away with?

Can I do any better? What am I not thinking of?

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN