Job Discussion Forums

[jerkytheturkey]

I work for one of the big Eikaiwas in Japan. I've been thinking about looking for work elsewhere but after reading the policy manual am a little sceptical about moving on. The manual states that on resignation the company notifies the Immigration Department and visa sponsorship is terminated. Is this possible?

[Glenski]

Yes, of course, the employer has no reason to continue sponsoring you for a work visa if you don't work for them anymore.

That doesn't mean the visa is canceled, though. It is still valid, theoretically, until its expiration date.

You will probably have some plan about where you want to go before you resign. So, down time should be short.

If you choose to leave suddenly, however, the consequences of finding a next employer are on your shoulders. Officially, you can remain without a job for 3 months (assuming the visa is good for that long), and after that you need a darned good reason to stay without work.
Go here and see the FAQs, No. 17.
http://www.immi-moj.go.jp/english/tetuduki/index.html

In practice, nobody checks up on you. If you want to stay, I'm sure you'll look for work, right? If not and you come to renew your visa, immigration will not be pleased if you are beyond that 3-month limit.

[TokyoLiz]

The only agency that can cancel a work visa is the Minister of Justice. Your employer, or former employer could conceivably inform immigration that your period of work is terminated.

Your visa is in your passport, and you are responsible for the safekeeping of your passport which is, for all purposes, not your property. It's the property of your country of citizenship. Your (former) employer cannot take your passport and hold it.

In order to terminate your period of employment and the sponsorship of your company, you have to get a letter of release from the company, take it, your passport bearing the work visa, your gaijin card and employment contract to an immigration bureau to be processed.

If you have any doubts about the validity of claims in the employer's contract, phone the Immigration Information Center - http://www.moj.go.jp/ENGLISH/information/iic-01.html

I've been able to get through on that line, but you may be put on hold as the officers are very busy. Just be persistent and you'll get your answer. You don't need to tell them who you are - simply ask them any immigration-related question and they'll either inform you directly or direct you to someone who can confirm that information.

But in a word, nope, the company can't cancel your work visa.

[Shimokitazawa]

No, your previous school cannot cancel your work visa.

I've been in this position, and have known others who were in this position, and after quitting found another job. Sometimes it was a few weeks between jobs and sometimes more than a month. And I've been able to leave and re-enter the country with no problems on the same 3 year work visa.

If you were teaching in Taiwan or Korea, though, that would be another story. The visa not being tied to your employer, unlike the previous mentioned countries, is one of the nice advantages of TEFL'ing in Japan.

[jerkytheturkey]

Thank you for the helpful information. I was a little shocked when I first read it but now understand what it means. I think they've tried to hide the true meaning by wording it a certain way.