Job Discussion Forums

SA_Massive · Joined: 22 Apr 2004 Posts: 26 Location: Aust

I hopefully coming to Japan in March with ECC. I say hopefully because apparently there are very limited places this year due to a decrease in teacher resignations.

My question is: Does anyone know if having a return plane ticket is is a requirement for the work visa? I know it is requred for a working holiday visa.

I would prefer to come to Japan on a one-way ticket.

I realise I could email ECC about this but I am sure one of you has asked this question yourselves and knows the answer.

Cheers

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

It is not a requirement for the work visa.

canuck · Joined: 11 May 2003 Posts: 1921 Location: Japan

Interesting, but I thought if you don't have a working visa on your passport yet, you would have a to have a return ticket. For example, say you are coming to Japan and ECC says your working visa is ready, and you tell immigration that, why would they believe you. It seems to me that they wouldn't.

homersimpson · Joined: 14 Feb 2003 Posts: 569 Location: Kagoshima

Your initial approval for a working visa should be finalized at the nearest (in this case) Japanese Consulate in your home country before you even board the plane for Japan. Of course ultimately immigration officials can deny you access at your port of entry.

Laura C · Joined: 14 Oct 2003 Posts: 211 Location: Saitama

I was in the same situation and was really worried about coming in on a tourist visa with no return ticket, especially as I got hassle at Korea on the way over. But my company had already applied for my Certificate of Eligibility and assured me it would be OK. I was still a bit dubious but I had no problems at all. I was totally straight with the immigration guy and told him I needed a tourist visa as I was waiting for my work visa. He stamped my passport no problem.

With a big company like ECC it will probably be OK. Just email them with your concerns and see what they say (one of the big 4 apparently told teachers coming in to lie to customs, this is a huge red flag, obviously).

L

Speed · Joined: 04 Jul 2003 Posts: 152 Location: Shikoku Land

SA-Massive,

ECC will send you a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) to your home country.

You then take it to your nearest Japanese consulate/embassy and give them your passport, COE, and appplication paper.

Wait about one week and go back to the consulate/embassy to pick-up your passport with a Specialist in Humanities Visa stamped inside.

Buy a one-way ticket to Japan.

Good luck at ECC.

SA_Massive · Joined: 22 Apr 2004 Posts: 26 Location: Aust

Thanks Speed! How did/do you find ECC to work for?

Has anyone else got anything to share about ECC?