Job Discussion Forums

Great Teacher Umikun · Joined: 28 Mar 2004 Posts: 63 Location: Back in Japan

Greetings all!

I taught in Japan before, five years in duration, working as an ALT and as an English Teacher, and I�m planning on coming back from Turkey, where I taught the past year, around the start of March. I have an MA, by the way. However, I�m still living in Turkey, and I see a lot of postings on Ohayo-Sensei saying in all capital letters �APPLICANT MUST CURRENTLY RESIDE IN JAPAN.� Are they just looking for a Japanese address on the r�sum�? I have friends already in Japan, and I was considering using one of their home addresses, with their permission, on my r�sum� instead of my address in Turkey, but I know that would be falsifying, and somehow I feel employers would be suspicious if I asked to hold off in-person interviews until after Hinamatsuri. Also, my mobile phone number still starts with +90 instead of +81.

Your thoughts? Recommendations?

Shonai Ben · Joined: 15 Feb 2003 Posts: 617

I think they are expecting you to be residing in Japan and already have a current working visa...........so they don't have to sponsor you.

wayne432 · Joined: 05 Jun 2008 Posts: 255

Agreed. If you have a visa and live in Japan... is what that usually means.

As for cell phones, many start with 090, don't see a problem there.

Great Teacher Umikun · Joined: 28 Mar 2004 Posts: 63 Location: Back in Japan

Actually, I just now checked back at OhayoSensei, and some of the AMCRIJ listings say �Sponsorship Available�. One even said �Will sponsor or renew visa,� so I don�t think it�s that.

Also, the plus sign means the next set of digits is a country code. They�ll have to dial 00190� or something like that instead of 090� to get through to me.

Bread · Joined: 24 May 2009 Posts: 318

If they don't say they offer sponsorship, it generally means that they want you to already be in the country with a visa to start immediately. If they say they do offer sponsorship, then they want you to be there for a face-to-face interview and also to be in-country to get the ball rolling more quickly. I'm sure a very large number of overseas interviewees flake out or bail randomly so I don't really blame them.

jazznfox · Joined: 04 Jun 2010 Posts: 20

If it says 'must reside in Japan' but also says sponsorship available, it might mean that they are willing to sponsor a visa renewal but not sponsor a new visa. Renewing an already issued visa is a lot easier/quicker then sponsoring the issue of an entirely new visa I think. Issuing a new visa to an overseas recruit can take 2-3 months but most of those 'must already live in Japan' adds are looking for people who can start as soon as possible. Another possibility is that if you are living in Japan on another visa type like a student visa or a different class of working visa, they would sponsor the switch over to the visa needed to work for them.

I'm not a visa expert, I'm just speculating based on what I have read. It makes logical sense that this is probably what they mean.

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

"Must reside in Japan" simply means what it says. You need to be here right now because they want someone who can attend an interview very soon.

Two secondary thoughts may also apply, but it depends on the situation.

1. They may also want you to have a visa. Usually, this is clearly stated in the ad, but not always. "Visa" could mean any type of visa that permits work. They are just hoping for a quick hire that way. It pays to find out whether they will actually renew sponsorship of any current work visa you may have because some don't.

2. They may want someone residing in Japan because they want someone who is somewhat adjusted to the surroundings and culture.