Job Discussion Forums

Templar · Joined: 01 Jun 2004 Posts: 5

Hi All,

I am on my way to Tokyo in about 3 days and I was wondering if there are any dual citizens out there. I am a Malaysian (Parents) & British by birth. I usually just use my Malaysian passport to travel around but I figure that my British Passport would give me more opportunities in Japan especially in Language Education. I mean I have been studying in English Schools since Kindergarten and then 6 years of High School and then University in Australia. Cool

So my English is pretty good (and it even has a faint West Coast American Accent)

I am still deciding which one I would like to keep. I would prefer to keep my UK passport for work. But the Malaysian passport gives me access to my huge family as well as travel around Borneo without no fuss for visas. Plus if I get rid of my Malaysian Passport, it would be pretty much impossible to get it back whereas it would be easier to get my UK passport back again. Shocked

What do people think? Which one would you guys go with? Or should I just use my Malaysian passport to enter Japan and then say I am a Brit when going for Interviews? I am confused please help me. Sad

lajzar · Joined: 09 Feb 2003 Posts: 647 Location: Saitama-ken, Japan

First, nothing obliges you in any way to renounce a passport, unless you are thinking of acquitring a third.

As long as you enter and leave any given country using the same passport, it shouldn't matter which passport you use.

Given that you are still debating the issue with yourself 3 days before you arrive, I assume you do not have a proper work visa yet. This is teh single biggest problem you'll have for getting work.

My advice...

Take both passports with you. For all offiocial contact with Japanese authorities, pick a passport and stick with it. I'd recomend your british one for this.

Except for a different set of countries, I am in exactly the same situation.

king kakipi · Joined: 16 Feb 2004 Posts: 353 Location: Australia

I too, have two passports. There is no way you have to give either of them up unless you want to 'become' Japanese, and then they both have to go!! (And yes, I have that option because my wife is Japanese, and no I don't want to take it thanks!!)

Basically, use only one passport for everything like visas, alien reg. cards, to open bank accounts etc and keep the other one well out of the way. Many Japanese find it quite difficult to understand that one can have two passports. Unfortunately I included my dual nationality on my resume and have had the same conversation quite a few times now; "no, it is not illegal"; "no, I am not a terrorist" etc. Has entertainment value in the classroom though; I show them both to my students and say "two passports but only one wife desu yo".

I don't think procuring a mild west coast American accent will give you an advantage over any mild British or Australian accent; those days seem to be long gone Smile

Some employers and students seem to have more of an issue with having asian native English speakers which is regrettable however.

migo · Joined: 04 Jul 2004 Posts: 201

David W · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 457 Location: Japan

king kakipi · Joined: 16 Feb 2004 Posts: 353 Location: Australia

Re my quote, used by Migo; it has nothing to do with either the Canadian or Swiss governments:- you are either Japanese or not Japanese. That is dictated by the Japanese govt; they don't allow dual citizenship (unless you are under 20 years of age...... Wink

)

migo · Joined: 04 Jul 2004 Posts: 201

Ah, I didn't realise that's where it was from. Oh well, no big loss for me I wouldn't want Japanese citizenship if it meant giving up Swiss citizenship even if I could.

Chris12 · Joined: 25 May 2004 Posts: 98

king kakipi · Joined: 16 Feb 2004 Posts: 353 Location: Australia

Keep us updated please Chris.

I am going on advice given to my (J) wife by a Japanese Consulate overseas two years ago. I thought they would have been `up with it` but maybe not......

migo · Joined: 04 Jul 2004 Posts: 201

Well, it could have also been changed less than 2 years ago.

Chris12 · Joined: 25 May 2004 Posts: 98

lajzar · Joined: 09 Feb 2003 Posts: 647 Location: Saitama-ken, Japan

Regarding Japanese/other dual citizenship...

The official Japanese position is that you cannot have Japanese citizenship and any other at the same time (except for minors). However, there is a long-held belief amongst many people that what the government doesn't know won't hurt them.

Basically, for all official contact with the Japanese government, use the Japanese passport. For all else, use whatever you feel like. It is highly unlikely that they would ever directly ask you if you have another passport from another country, and it is entirely possible in all but the most extreme circumstances to tell the truth, answer their question exactly, but not give the special answer that would cause trouble.

Reisender · Joined: 27 Jul 2004 Posts: 45

I also have dual citizenship. I'm Australian but also have an Irish passport. I'll be using the Australian one to get my working holiday visa as Australians are eligible for the longest stay on a WHV but can anybody think of a reason for me to bring my Irish one?

If I need consular services and the Aussies give me the run around, can I turn to the Irish embassy/consulate? Are there other reasons I may not have thought of or would it be best to just leave it at home rather than risk losing it?