Job Discussion Forums

Kaitou · Joined: 30 Apr 2009 Posts: 14

Has anyone done this before, or heard of this being done? I was just wondering if it was difficult or a fairly straightforward procedure (assuming there was a company to provide sponsorship).

Bread · Joined: 24 May 2009 Posts: 318

I see no reason why it should be any different than changing from a tourist to a work visa, which is very straightforward. You won't be able to get another working holiday visa, though.

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

I know a number of people who have done this. Seems to be quite straightforward as long as you are eligible for a working visa.

Kaitou · Joined: 30 Apr 2009 Posts: 14

Alright, good to know. I'm just considering my options... but you do have a point, I wouldn't be able to get a working holiday visa again. Thanks guys!

Mr_Monkey · Joined: 11 Mar 2009 Posts: 661 Location: Kyuuuuuushuuuuuuu

I thought you could only get one WHV anyway?

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

WHV's are issued once in a lifetime theoretically. There have been some exceptions.

People with dual nationality from countries that both offer the WHV option is one.

People who have changed / renewed their passport (so that there is no record on it) is another, but with computerized records these days, I'm not so sure this is as easily accomplished.

Basically, for most, get the WHV and extend it until the final expiration (12 or 18 months, depending on nationality), and then it's gone forever.

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

I'm wondering why people are focusing on only being possible to get one WHV in a lifetime, since the OP never mentioned wanting to switch back to a WHV afterwards. The people I know who switched to a working visa from a WHV had done almost a year on their WHV so it was about to expire.

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

Perhaps they are thinking that someone who gets the WHV should milk it for the whole 12 or 18 months it is worth, instead of using it to get a foot in the door, and then switch to a work visa before the WHV expires.

CanadianGirl21 · Joined: 10 Feb 2010 Posts: 6 Location: Ontario, Canada

I was told that I had to get a WHV by a company that offered me a job (last Friday) and that it would take a few weeks to process (not much time left!). When I told my fiance (Japanese, currently in Tokyo), he didn't think there was much point in me getting a WHV since I intend on leaving for Japan in about 2 weeks. He said he has many friends who came to Japan with just a tourist visa, found a job and then the processing from a tourist visa to a work visa took about a week.

Any thoughts?

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

Depending on the country, I think 2 weeks is cutting it thin to get a WHV. Contact your embassy and find out.

The Canadian WHV site says this:

seklarwia · Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2010 10:02 pm Post subject:

You need the company to sponser your work visa. Not all companies want to or can for whatever reasons. You need to find out whether they can and would be willing to first.

And whilst visa renewal can take about a week, I'd be surprised if applying for a COE and then changing visa status didn't take a bit longer. COE apps can take up to a couple of months. Depending on when exactly you were due to start working, you could find yourself working illegally initially.

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

CanadianGirl21 · Joined: 10 Feb 2010 Posts: 6 Location: Ontario, Canada

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

CanadianGirl21 · Joined: 10 Feb 2010 Posts: 6 Location: Ontario, Canada