Job Discussion Forums

real2104 · Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 120

Me and a friend are both looking at working in Japan for a year teaching ESL, were both 21.

She's currently doing a degree (is about half way through) and has no work experience as a teacher.

I'm currently studying a certificate 3 in health assistance and already have a TESOL cert and have experience teaching in China.

I remember when I first did my TESOL cert the teacher said if your interested in working in Japan you can do so WITHOUT a degree (hallelujah!) but only for a year on a working visa.

If anyone knows something that might help me (about application process etc) we would really appreciate it.

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

Your teacher was probably talking about a working holiday visa, not a working visa. WHVs don't require degrees, but they are limited to people from certain nationalities (we don't know yours) and age groups.
http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/w_holiday/index.html

It is possible to get a work visa without a degree, but you have to have at least 3 years of related work experience.

real2104 · Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 120

Thanks for the reply.

I'm Australian and my friend is American.

I'm not sure how we'll go regard the 3 yrs valid work experience...

Apsara · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 2142 Location: Tokyo, Japan

You, as an Australian, are eligible for a working holiday visa which you can extend for up to 18 months total- check Glenski's link below or look at the website of the Japan Embassy in Australia. It isn't hard to get, tens if not hundreds of thousands of Aussies have done this before you. I am a Kiwi and originally came to Japan on a WHV.

I am afraid that there is no reciprocal programme for WHVs between Japan and the US, so if your friend doesn't have a degree or 3 years teaching experience, the only other option is a student visa, which requires plenty of funds.

real2104 · Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 120

Thanks for the useful replies.

My friend does have 3 yrs of work experience, but isn't remotely related to teaching English.

Thanks for that link, helps me a lot...but I'm not sure what to do with my American friend. The fact she's half way thru her degree may help.. ?

Apsara · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 2142 Location: Tokyo, Japan

Only a finished degree is of any use as far as Immigration goes. Basically if someone doesn't have either a Bachelor's degree or the relevant experience as mentioned above, they don't qualify for a working visa, end of story, I'm afraid.

I'm sure it isn't any easier for someone who wants to work in the US.

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

As mentioned, Americans do not qualify for the WHV. So, your friend is going to have to wait until the degree is awarded, or consider 2 other options:

student visa (enroll in some school here)
cultural visa (find a master craftsman to teach something like ikebana, pottery making, swordmaking, martial arts, etc.)
http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/index.html

Neither of these visas allows work, but you can get permission to work part-time.
http://www.immi-moj.go.jp/english/tetuduki/zairyuu/shikakugai.html