Job Discussion Forums

[Laura C]

Hi everyone,

Firstly, apologies for asking a question that has probably been asked before -- I *have* done a search but am getting conflicting opinions as well as far too much info back...

I have been offered a post starting at the beginning of April. I've just sent the documents off to my employer to be sponsored for a work visa/cert of eligibility. They say I can enter on a tourist visa and tell immigration that I have a job and will be sightseeing etc (ie, not working) until the visa comes through. Is this true? And in that case, can I enter on a one way ticket?

The reason I'm asking is that when I did a search on this topic in another forum, one of the replies said that you emphatically can NOT enter Narita with a COE and a tourist visa, even if you say you will not work until the WV is through.

I know I could just ask my employer again, but I'd like it confirmed here as well. A poster on another forum said that his employer kept assuring him it was no problem to enter on a tourist visa with a COE, yet this conflicted with the advice given to him on the boards.

I'd really appreciate some help on this. If anyone has entered Japan in these circumstances without any hassle, please let me know!

Thanks everyone,

Laura

[guest of Japan]

I wouldn't mention anything to immigration about working unless you already have the visa. Just say you are a tourist, or visiting a college friend or something.

[shmooj]

guest's suggestion is a good one but this is a difficult one to pull off if you arrive on a one way ticket. You are going to arouse suspicion that way. It is true that you can get your COE converted to a work visa without leaving the country now. But you cannot earn money legally until you get that work visa. You can do voluntary work but you cannot be paid for it. This is a little loophole but a valid one. If you have enough cash to tide you over and your employer pays you in kind e.g. covers your rent and utilities and gives you furniture etc, you should be able to do this completely legally.

I would be clear with your employer where you will draw the line. If you aren't willing to work covertly and take that risk then let them know this. Otherwise, if you do get into hot water, you are going to seriously regret it.

If you arrive on a return ticket booked to fly back within three months of your arrival you should arouse no suspicions if you give an address of someone you will be staying with in japan or use a hotel address.

Caveat travelor

[Canuck2112]

Get a return ticket. For some completely unknown reason, they can often be cheaper (!?!). My travel agent mentioned this to me, but she couldn't explain why as she didn't know herself.

[Laura C]

Thanks guys.

I have looked into return tickets, but they are more expensive and my funds are really limited. But I thought if I arrive on a one way ticket, on a tourist visa, and say I will be on the tourist visa, not working, until my WV comes through, then immigration would be OK. My employer said I can come in on a one way ticket as I can give the company's details to immigration if there is any problem. Anyone??

I don't want to try and fool immigration, or get one over on them (not going to even try!) -- but my understanding was that it's legal to do this. But guest of japan's advice seems to suggest otherwise...

I know the easiest thing to do would be to get a return ticket. But my funds are REALLY low, and I can't afford to spend money on something I won't use.

I'll email my employer again and make my position clear on the situation. Meanwhile, any further advice/tips gratefully received...

L

[Glenski]

Laura,
Customs will probably be suspicious if you come on just a tourist visa and a one-way ticket. Look at it from their standpoint. Tourists are meant to stay only 90 days, then leave. If you don't have that status, you raise red flags. That said, I know of people who claim to have entered Japan on a one-way ticket and never been checked.

If, however, you come with your tourist visa (passport) AND the COE, customs will assign you the final work visa stamp upon arrival. Done deal. You start work that day.

If you don't have that COE, don't tell customs you are here for work! They will likely ship you back on the plane home. Why? For the same reason I listed in the first paragraph. With no COE, you look like every other tourist, and working as a tourist is illegal.

What is the problem with your employer that he (or rather, immigration) can't provide the COE before you come? If the employer simply needs you to start working ASAP, then, yes, you can come on a tourist visa, start working illegally, wait for the COE to arrive, and then convert to a work visa. I personally feel this is fairly risky. I know of some people who have been told to get themselves here in a hurry, then they work illegally while the employer lies to them about delays in processing the visa until they have overstayed their tourist visa. At that time, the employer refuses to pay the final month's wages, kicks the teacher out, and the person has no legal recourse because he is here illegally and has worked illegally. Just be wary of such hurry up cases, if this applies to you.

If you don't have the money for a round trip ticket, you are still going to be in financial trouble upon arrival. How are you going to pay for rent (about the cost of one-way airfare), groceries, health insurance, etc.? You may not have to pay for some of these for a month or two, but then again, you may not get your first paycheck for that long, too.

[denise]

Laura--

Tell your travel agent(s) your situation--they may be able to find you a deal with a refundable or transferable ticket. I was in the same situation when I came here--visa in the process, paperwork submitted, but nothing concrete when I wanted to book my ticket. I got a return ticket that was good for a year--or at least, my original return date was three months out but it was free to extend it, so now if I choose to fly home in May the ticket is already paid for. I had a similar situation in the Czech Republic--a ticket that was transferable--I ended up cashing it in for a return ticket to Athens.

Anyway, my point is that if you explain your situation and your limitations--you're going to be living/working here, you're not sure about the visa situation and you don't want/need/can't afford a regular return ticket, they still may be able to find something for you. Good luck!

d

[shmooj]

I tried to do exactly what you are planning arriving at Kansai in March 98. I did have a return ticket but it was a one year open and the return date was for six months away. My employer was legit but they had filed my application too late and the COE had not arrived.

My wife got through fine. At immigration they asked to see my ticket. Then they asked me to "come this way please" leading me back towards where I had come from.

I stammered "but my wife" indicating my lonely lass standing the other side of immigration. "Oh you have a wife?" he said. Then he stamped me through.

I had also given my employee details. They were not having it. If it hadn't been for my wife getting through. I would have been in shtook.

From what I've heard Narita is tougher at immigration than Kansai.

You might be safer coming in to Nagoya or a smaller airport where they are not so strict.

From my experience I wouldn't recommend anyone to arrive on a one way or open return ticket. It was scary to have that as my first experience of Japan.

[Laura C]

Thanks again everyone.

If I don't have the COE when I arrive in Japan then natch I am not going to mention anything about working. I will just have to find the money somehow for a return ticket -- thanks for the suggestion to talk to the travel agent, Denise.

Glenski -- so, if I have the COE at Narita there will be no problem? That is fine as I think it should be through OK -- I'd just heard conflicting stories about people entering on a tourist visa, with a COE, and having their entry denied by immigration. I don't think there is a problem with the employer that he can't provide the COE before I come -- I was just worried about getting in without having the actual visa.

Re money -- I will have (just) enough to live on til I get my first paycheck, but not if I have to double my airfare budget.

I totally agree with everyone who has said about the dangers of working illegally in Japan -- I don't intend to do that AT ALL, as I have a healthy respect for the Japanese authorities! Just like you, Shmooj...

I've emailed my employer and asked him when the COE is likely to arrive. Thanks again for your help, everyone.

L

[april]

2 of my friends were in the same position as you Laura. Their working visa was being processed, but their employer, Geos Kids, wanted them to work ASAP on a tourist visa. They promised and promised that the COE would be ready on time, it wasn't. So my friends purchased a return ticket and lied to immigration, saying they were only here for a holiday. Real dodgy if you ask me. I won't get started on how much pressure (and lies) were placed on my friends to get them over there so quickly. They were nervous wrecks going through the airport.

[Glenski]

[Laura C]

Thanks again Glenski et al.

I have received an email from my employer and he says most of their teachers enter this way. He said to write on the entry card purpose of visit 'sightseeing/waiting for visa' and that there have never been problems before, as if immigration check my visa status they will see the visa is pending. He definitely does not seem to be asking me to lie to immigration or to work on a tourist visa, both of which I wouldn't do (I'm a terrible liar anyway), as he says I should just give his name and number to immigration if there is any hassle -- I assume he wouldn't do that if he was smuggling teachers into the country! Hopefully I will have the COE through anyway, so it won't be a problem.

Glenski, the comment about the COE and tourist visa was on gaijinpot.com, I think -- I had a look through their visa forum. Sorry I can't be more specific, but I spent SO LONG yesterday online looking visa stuff up that I can't remember where all the info came from. I am very pleased that you have said otherwise though. Load off what I'm pleased to call my mind...

Thanks again everyone. I can rest easy in me bed tonight!

L

[G Cthulhu]

I think I may have the last quoted part mis-attributed there, but it's gone all weird during editing and I can't be bothered correcting it. :)

[Glenski]

[shmooj]