Job Discussion Forums

hellohello2 · Joined: 17 Sep 2010 Posts: 8

Hi everyone,

I currently have an instructor visa. I finished the job that sponsored this visa last month.

I got a few part-time jobs offers for eikaiwa work, so I needed to apply for permission (due to having an instructor visa). I took those contracts to the visa office, along with my Letter of Release to show I had finished my last job.

Well, because I am not working as an instructor any more, they rejected my applications to do some eikaiwa work. This is because my main work is no longer as an Instructor (I was an ALT). They told me I need to fill in a Change of Status form, along with a contract showing a stable income (e.g. a full time contract). I still have the money to search around, so this is OK.

The lady at the visa office was a bit confusing though. She told me I needed to get a Change of Status ASAP. But if I do not start the eikaiwa jobs, why is it ASAP? One of the eikaiwas said I should still start the contract even without the visa permission. Does this seem OK? What should I do?

My visa ends next year. She was very confusing about whether I can stay to search for work that would sponsor a Change of Status application. Is it OK to stay while I search? Even if I am not working as an instructor?

Many thanks!!!

wayne432 · Joined: 05 Jun 2008 Posts: 255

They might have thought you were jumping into the eikaiwa job right away, hence they said you had to change right away. You're supposed to have it changed before you start the eikaiwa job, but many people ignore that.

What you're saying confuses me a bit. You said have contracts for part-time eikaiwa work, but then you said you're not starting the jobs? And another eikaiwa told you to start work without the correct visa? Are you or are you not working at an eikaiwa? If you are, switch the visa.

hellohello2 · Joined: 17 Sep 2010 Posts: 8

yer, I have the contracts, but I have not started working for an eikaiwa yet. You need a full-time position to switch the visa.

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

She probably thinks you have to change your visa straight away because you have contracts! Even if they're not signed, the fact that you have a contract in hand strongly implies that you are about to start a job!

If you've been in the country for a year, could you not self-sponsor your visa?

By providing contracts that evidence you are earning enough to live on, I thought it was possible, although I've never done it.

G Cthulhu · Posted: Fri Nov 05, 2010 5:33 pm Post subject:

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

Technically and officially, you can be without work for 3 months and still retain your visa. After that, technically and officially, you need a darned good reason to stay in Japan even if your visa is valid for a longer period. See here for the technical and official words (Q17).
http://www.immi-moj.go.jp/english/tetuduki/index.html

In reality, there are no immigration cops policing the streets to see that you meet this requirement/guideline. It just makes good sense to have work to accompany your visa, though.

The above is probably the reason your rather frantic and strict immigration officer told you to get on the stick.