Job Discussion Forums

midnightpariah · Joined: 26 May 2007 Posts: 85

Hello Everyone.

Back in March I posted (http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=78982) about problems I was having with a small school that I was working in. There was a lot of issues (besides an illegal contract to begin with) with them trying to change my contract without my consent, threatening to fire me and have me banned from Japan forever, saying they owned my visa, and controlling every aspect of my life in Japan from my bank account to my cell phone.

I quit during a meeting when the owner was trying to change my contract yet again. I told him that either he honor the original contract and the terms he originally promised, or I would quit here and now. He refused and threatened me again with taking away my visa. I told him I wanted my letter of release and that I would be out the next day. He refused to give me my letter of release. I left anyway and moved to Tokyo and got a new job.

I have to go this week to apply for my visa extension. I am worried that immigration won't grant me a new one because I don't have the letter of release. My current company knows the entire situation and has told me that it is not a problem at all and not to worry about it. I am, however, a chronic worrywart and am extremely nervous that I will not be granted a new visa.

I tried contacting my old company for the letter, but they are not responding to my emails and the only phone number I have for them doesn't work anymore.

Do you think that this will be a huge issue or should I not worry.

Thanks for the advice.

~V

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

Don't worry. Just explain your situation to immigration. They've called enough bum employers in their time. My only other advice is not to volunteer the lack of a letter of release. You may be able to renew without it.

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

I've mentioned here before that I was able to renew without a letter of release back in about 2004 when repeated calls and emails to Nova were ignored and the expiry date of my visa was approaching.

As Glenski says, no doubt Immigration comes across this kind of thing quite a lot, and it is the company that is breaking the law by not providing the LOR- you should be fine.

wayne432 · Joined: 05 Jun 2008 Posts: 255

Same here, I didn't use a letter of release when I did it either.

midnightpariah · Joined: 26 May 2007 Posts: 85

Thanks everyone! I feel a lot better now. =o)

Yawarakaijin · Joined: 20 Jan 2006 Posts: 504 Location: Middle of Nagano

I never even knew you needed to get one. Sounds like something from the Korean forums.

Cool Teacher · Posted: Sat Dec 25, 2010 11:26 am Post subject:

I think I got a new visa once even though I has a new job. Nobody asked me for a letter of release but maybe it is important to bring some confirmation of your new job like a letter from them or a brochure or something like that. Sounds like it won't be a problem as long as your visa doesn't run out.

Good luck!

Merry Chrsitmas! Very Happy

midnightpariah · Joined: 26 May 2007 Posts: 85

I went to immigration the other day and the lady at the counter did ask me for it. I explained the situation and she said, "Ok. We will send you a postcard when the visa is ready. If we have any questions we will call your former employers personally."

I think it should be OK, but am worried that my former employers will bad mouth me and that immigration will deny my visa because they believe them. I wouldn't put it past them to make stuff up and lie to immigration. They've lied to immigration before and threatened to take away my visa without provocation.

Cool Teacher · Posted: Sun Dec 26, 2010 5:19 pm Post subject: