Job Discussion Forums

[bule_boy69]

Hi all...

I have heard that a work visa takes a long time to process but I'd like to know from people who have gone recently how long - especially if you went with Westgate.

I've been offered a position starting towards the end of Sept, but I don't really wanna hang here until then.

I was thinking of doing some traveling in SE Asia on the way to Japan - although I understand that Westgate have a very picky policy on paying for flights in such cases. Even so, I'm keen to get going.....

So how long after i return the contract do I have to hang around in this country before I can get going?

thanks guys

[Glenski]

You have to figure that most employers who recruit from overseas are going to have their own timeline in accord with the average processing time for visas. Figure 3-4 months after you are hired.

You seem to be in a hurry. What's the rush? Places like Westgate have their own schedules and they often announce what they are (or are willing to describe them, if asked).

[bule_boy69]

Thanks

the hurry is that I'm keen to get outa town. Accommodation hassles, winter blues, itchy feet, urge to get back to Southeast Asia mostly. Don't want to hang around here in Melbourne until the end of September.

Surely it can't take that long...I only narrowly missed out on goin with them for the last intake. They were advertising almost up to the start date, so i'm guessing it doesn't HAVE to take months.

If any recent Westgaters could tell me a bit about their experience regarding the visa process I'd appreciate it.

Also I'd like to ask....

Is the COE a paper document that needs to be posted to me or can it be sent electronically?

Once I have it...can I request the visa from a consulate in any country eg: Indonesia/Thailand?

Cheers

[Sef]

Yes, the COE is a piece of paper that will be posted to you. I was sent mine about 6 weeks before my start date (I'm Westgate-ing at the moment) and they sent it to Moscow which is where I was. I was going travelling so didn't do anything with it, although I could've got it from the embassy in Moscow, and when I got back to UK I did all my visa stuff in London and it took 3 days. That was only about one week before I left for Japan (I did e-mail Westgate and explain it was going to be a bit last minute.)
Hope that helps.
S

[benben999]

Hi bule_boy69,

Congrats on being accepted by Westgate. On June 10th I was placed on their waiting list for the University and E-Learning program and I'm not sure if/when I'm going to get the call. So out of curiousity when did you complete your application? When were you accepted? Were you on a waiting list first, and if so, for how long? Many thanks

Ben

[bule_boy69]

benben999

I'm doin the Uni program so maybe it's different dunno. I actually wanted to go in May ( to miss out on Melbourne's winter) but didn't quite get in on time. So they asked if I'd be up for work in the 'fall term'. But that has meant hanging here a lot longer than planned and I am keen to get going.

Downer really... I gather they wont pay towards a flight that originates in another country, eventhough it would be cheaper for them to pay for a ticket from Southeast Asia - so if i wanna go early I'm going to have to pay my own way.

Goodluck.


Sef

Yeah cheers...kinda helpful. So the COE can be picked up from a Japanese consulate? and you are sure you could've got your visa sorted in Moscow? Did the consulate there say that? I have asked Westgate if it's possible and they said 'maybe'. I guess next step Japanese consulates in Southeast Asia.

Anyone here have experience of requesting a Japanese work visa in KL/jakarta? Or anywhere outside their normal country of residence for that matter.

What date do they put on it? I've been told it's a 23rd dec start - can I turn up early?

[Glenski]

Do your own research about COEs. Westgate said maybe because they don't know that much about countries other than Japan (if even that).

The date they put on your COE is meaningless, other than the fact that you have a time limit to use it (3 months?). The real important date is when you come to Japan and exchange it for a work visa. From then you have 1 or 3 years. Can you come early? Sure, but you'll only have to renew before the 12 months is up, if you have a 1-year visa. If you are thinking of coming many weeks early just to sightsee, don't.

Westgate reimburses for your flight by paying you back in 2 installments, according to what other people report. Why would it matter where you originate?

[bule_boy69]

[reasonJP]

Sorry to bump this old thread, but I've got a quick question and couldn't find any answers on a search.
I've heard that if you have a professor visa, like the type westgate sponsors, and want to do other work over holiday periods between contracts, you may need a special letter of permission from the employer and a work permit from immigration to do so. Is that true? Are Westgate et al typically accomodating with such requests? And does it only apply to Eikaiwa work (as they typically hire specialist in humanities people)?

[Glenski]

[reasonJP]

[Glenski]

Get used to jumping through hoops in Japan.

[bule_boy69]

[Glenski]

A colleague used to work for Westgate, and he got reimbursed for the same max that you cited, so I knew that much money was involved.

My "yeah, right" comment was not about the money itself, but about the fact that people could use a ticket to go somewhere and vacation instead of flying to start work.

[kteacher]

Hello

I'm dealing with a similar situation. I realize this thread is old. But incase anyone uses the search and needs this question answered.

I live in KOrea and will be in SE Asia for the 2 months up to my contract. Westgate had no problem with my ticket Bangkok - tokyo, tokyo - home. It did go a bit over 1000$ which i obviously will not be reimbursed for.

I have to get my COE processed in Vietnam and i'm wondering how this will go... anyone actually deal with a Japanese consulate in Vietnam or SE Asia?