Job Discussion Forums

[ellienihon]

I have my COE and am heading up to the consulate in Los Angeles today. They told me on the phone that they normally do it in 1-3 days, and that if I showed up early in the morning, I could get it that afternoon, but I'm lazy and I'm just going to take up an envelope and have them mail it back to me.

[shmooj]

You can get it done in LA on the spot (few hours) if you tell them you need this. A couple who worked for my old school got theirs done there the day before they flew (and they flew early morning) and so asked for this service. Not sure if your situation warrants this though.

[ellienihon]

It didn't warrant asking them to rush. I went up, no big deal, and gave them the priority mail SASE to send back to me. I expect it back next week. BTW, I just noticed this when I gave my COE to the guy at the window-- Altia asked for a three year visa.

[G Cthulhu]

[carmenz]

I would say nothing until you have your work visa. But this is easier said than done. I would probably not bring my contract in my carry bag or any other documents that could be searched. I would also come on a round trip ticket.

I know of somebody who came to immigrations in a Japan airport and told immigrations that he was going to be working in Japan, yet his visa had not been processed thoroughly. Immigrations asked to see his contract and the person showed them....thinking that would some how clear things up. Well, the guy was deported the very next day.

I would be careful what you say to immigrations. I think to them you are either working, in which case you have a work visa already or you are a tourist in which case you are just traveling. Of course there are other types of visas too student and so on. But I would not awake any suspision at immigrations. Technically even if your boss has applied for a work visa for you it might not come through. You either have a work visa or you don't.