Job Discussion Forums

Mass · Joined: 28 May 2009 Posts: 5

Looking to relocate to Sendai Japan to teach English... I completed my SIT TESOL course Aug 2008 in Chiang Mai...I also have a Neurophysiology Assocites Diploma plus 10 yrs in the medical field...(38 years old).

Would greatly appreciate any assistance in finding a job in Sendai Japan...

Thanks
Mass

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

Mass · Joined: 28 May 2009 Posts: 5

its a 2 year Assc. Degree with 2 registration in the field of Neuromonitoring in the OR.... I also have a total of 3 years college level combined credits from Electrical/Electronics and Biomed Engineering programs...

of what value you ask does my education have, prob. none for teaching english... however just referencing my background....

I was able to get several work visa's in the US as they took into consideration all my education credits earned and were able to recognize it as equivalent to a Bachelor of Science Degree...I obtained, in a period of 10 years, several vork visa's to work in the US and one of their requirements was also a Degree...

In any event, I would like to commence end of Jan.. or Feb..

Thanks,
Mass

seklarwia · Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2009 4:32 pm Post subject:

You really need to have graduated with a full degree or 3 years relevant work experience, or no visa... This is not the US, so you shouldn't think that just because they made allowances, every other country will too.

And even if you found a sponsor this second, you wouldn't be getting your visa until at least Feb (COE takes about 6-8 weeks to process).

And what is it you want to do out here... not ALT I hope, since the school year starts April, so you are not getting a job before then applying from abroad.

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

It might be possible to get a work visa; probably the only one for you would be Specialist in Humanities/International Relations, but perhaps also the Instructor work visa. The latter is for ALTs, the former is for people teaching in eikaiwas.

Hmm, the MOFA web site has just been radically changed, so that it does not contain even half the amount of details on visas anymore! You'll have to trust me/us on the description of requirements.

I say "might" because of what seklarwia wrote. A 2-year associates degree (Canadian?) is insufficient to get a work visa. Perhaps you can use a good immigration lawyer to show that the combination with other courses makes it equivalent to a BA/BS degree, like you showed in the U.S. No promises, though. Two different bureaucracies. In either case, if you try for that, you would probably only be able to get a SH/IR work visa, as I believe the Instructor visa requires a degree in a specific field, but the SH/IR visa doesn't. Like seklarwia wrote, prove that, or get at least 3 years of teaching experience before you come.

I also agree that starting work at the end of Jan/early Feb is not entirely realistic. Immigration is on holiday now/soon due to the New Year break, so they are not going to process anything until beginning early January, and it usually takes 4-8 weeks. What's your hurry?

Mass · Joined: 28 May 2009 Posts: 5

Thanks for your info... Yes I am aware that different countries have different criteria, etc.... just relaying as much info. so you can understand my situation clearer..

I am not necessarily in a rush to move there, however I am an avid martial artist and one of the top Kudo (Karate/Judo) schools probably in the world is located in Sendai... I visited the dojo and I had promised to be there by February and commence training there as well as teaching English.

Soon, I will be contacting my immigration lawyer from Canada to assist me with the logistics. Thanks for your help..

Happy New Year! All the Best!
Mass

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