Job Discussion Forums

englishtutor1378 · Joined: 18 May 2007 Posts: 44

Well from all the previous posts and info from some of you I am now sure that if a visa expires that we will have to get a new one from the start. So this scenario will deal with if an employer is already ready to sponsor someone.

1) Will there be a need to get a new ARC and will the old one be scratched out?
2) How long will it roughly take before one is legal to work again?

Since the visa has already expired wthin a month is there any leniency by
the Japanese government to renew the old one since it might be less paperwork and hastle.

Experts, anyone?

fluffyhamster · Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 7:47 pm Post subject:

I think people have pretty much answered your question about what to do with an old ARC - don't produce it unless you absolutely have to, because it could complicate matters - and getting a new one is surely a simple matter compared to obtaining a new visa, especially if you are applying for the latter from overseas (outside Japan) and needing to post documents, obtain another COE etc (which generally takes up to eight weeks for an employer to obtain and send on to you)..surely you should have some clue about these things if you've been through the visa process before. I have no idea if trying to get a work visa once in Japan (i.e. changing from tourist or whatever status) is quicker, but I'd imagine so (if only because it obviously would cut down on communication gaps and postage time). And lastly, an expired visa cannot be renewed, and I very much doubt if having had a visa in even the recent past will make the Japanese government at all lenient in whatever procedures it has to follow in granting a completely new one.

Can I ask, have you overstayed your old visa or something?

englishtutor1378 · Joined: 18 May 2007 Posts: 44

Actaully I have not overstayed my visa. I am out of the country and when I get back I will be on a tourist visa. Therefore, my visa has expired. When I renewed it last year it took about 2 weeks for the extension.

Since it possible to change the tourist visa over to a working visa (still surprised by this) and I already have a sponsor in mind I am curious to know how long that process would take. If anyone has done it before please feel free to share your knowledge.

fluffyhamster · Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2008 12:06 pm Post subject:

I assume this is accurate info (but I can't be sure, as I've only ever entered Japan with a work visa already in my passport!):

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

The MOFA homepage states that COE's are not always necessary but a good idea. See part B in this link.
http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/03.html#c

Look. You are out of the country. You claim your visa has expired. So, you have to apply for a new one. Forget the ARC for now. Get the visa. When you return with the visa, go to the ward office and ask them what to do about your old ARC. They are God for those matters. For all we know, you may be allowed to use the old one, but your immediate concern is getting hired and getting a visa.

If you need to apply for a new ARC, it is a simple matter. Heck, we don't even know if you are going to apply in the same ward office as before!

Job and visa, then ARC.

How long will it take to get your new visa? Nobody can say except immigration, and they will NOT give you a definite answer, only a rough estimate like 3-8 weeks. Processing time is out of your and your employer's hands, so let it ride.

fluffyhamster · Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2008 1:06 pm Post subject:

englishtutor1378 · Joined: 18 May 2007 Posts: 44

Thanks for all the info!

Well I'm actually here in Taiwan after backpacking for 3 months (5 countries, 18 cities in 3 months Cool

) and I think it is time to return to Japan to get some work. But since my visa has already expired I might even just go back to Canada for a while before I go to Japan again since it is so humid and hot there now.

Anyways, maybe I should get a COE here in Taipei, Taiwan if that is possible. Although, I have heard stories where teachers just go into the country with a tourist visa and find a employer that really wants them to work for them and they do it from there. Again, the question is the length of the process. How long it will take is the mystery. One of the the links above does state, "If a foreigner submits a visa application to an embassy or consulate together with a Certificate of Eligibility, he or she will be able to obtain a visa in a shorter time than applicants without such a certificate. " It is still case by case. My only concern is whether or not I can survive in Japan without pay for 1-2 months since we all know that Japan is so rediculously expensive.

If this employer is serious about hiring me on it might be easier just to do it with the tourist visa then change it over to a working visa. Then again, would it hurt to get a COE before hand? Again, this might be a lengthly process having to send documents back and forth. Well I guess I'll just play it by the ear and see how it all goes.

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

englishtutor1378 · Joined: 18 May 2007 Posts: 44

True True True!

Everybody reading this, the above all makes sense. Well since I stated above that my former employer wants me back to work for him because the students still e-mail me and will talk to the boss (some of the perks of a small school) but I am still contemplating whether I want to go back.

So I guess I'll just go back without a COE and do it from scratch. I will keep everybody posted as to how long it will take, thats if I choose Japan again for another year.

By the way, Taiwan is a fun place too. You can speak English,Japanese, Chinese, Taiwanese here and the food is good and cheap. Again 18 cities in 3 months Cool

.........so lets just say I know what each country has to offer.

Cheers!