Job Discussion Forums

ESLgeek · Joined: 16 May 2008 Posts: 29 Location: Tokyo, Japan

Hi everyone again,
Here's another question: I have been in Japan for almost 1 year. I came here on a working holiday visa (I'm from Canada). I'm mainly teaching private students now, but I also work at 2 other schools. I would like to stay in Japan for at least 1 more year.

I have heard of some people getting a self sponsor visa. They do not work for just 1 school or they have tons of private students or they've got some other jobs. They have been able to prove to the government that they earn enough money to live on (I think the minimum is 250,000 yen). It's been very difficult to get information about such a visa. I know that I need to get the Specialist in Humanities thing, but I can't get it from the schools I work for. Does anyone on the forum have such a visa? Does anyone know about it?

Cool Teacher · Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2009 12:00 am Post subject:

I am told the magicc number doenst exist if you have enough work is the probelem not the number. Wink

I found this when Googling:

http://forum.gaijinpot.com/showthread.php?t=8983

Do you have a degree?

ESLgeek · Joined: 16 May 2008 Posts: 29 Location: Tokyo, Japan

Yep, I've got a BA from University of Toronto.

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

I believe that you can only self-sponsor when renewing a specialist in humanities visa, not when first applying for it. For your first full working visa you need an actual sponsor.

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

Self-sponsorship is merely the extension of an existing work visa (not student visa, cultural activities, nor WHV), where instead of one employer serving as sponsor, you have enough PT work to satisfy immigration's nebulous figure on what it takes to survive financially here.

There is no set amount, but common sense dictates that it should be at least subsistence wages (which will vary on where you live and what type of situation you are in).

You cannot switch from WHV to a self-sponsored work visa AFAIK. You must have a year on a regular work visa first so that immigration can make a decent guess as to whether your income will be stable.

Firestarter2 · Joined: 27 Sep 2007 Posts: 14 Location: Osaka

Two of my friends self sponsered their renewals and they had monthly of of slightly less and slightly more that 200 000 yen per month. I've heard that anything over 160 000 or so will satisfy immigration in terms of earning enough to support yourself.