Job Discussion Forums

[bigjobs]

Hi,

I was placed as an alternate-ALT for the JET programme, and am now looking for alternatives to JET while I decide whether I still want to be a part of JET.

I would like to contact as many companies/schools as I can while in Australia, but I'm also thinking about travelling to Japan, to hopefully improve my prospects of employment, but to also get a feel for the different schools.

I have read the FAQ on the Working Holiday Visa, and they look like a pretty good option. One of the main reasons I applied for JET was to minimise the problems you invariably have with work visas, accommodation, and soforth. I have a 3-year bachelor's degree, plus a one-year post-grad degree in primary education, so I should meet the education requirements. The majority of the info I've read seems pretty straightforward. However, I was still wondering......

Assuming I enter Japan on a Working Holiday Visa, and I secure a job, can this be upgraded to a full Work Visa without me having to leave the country?

Has anyone, specifically Australians or New Zealanders, had any experience with the Working Holiday Visa, or a situation similar to mine?
Does the itinerary need to fairly precise? I'm assuming it can't be written on the back of an envelope.

I'm still at the early stages of deciding what to do, to apply to JET, apply in Australia or travel to Japan, so any other advice would be appreciated.

[SamhainP8]

Hi Bigjobs.

I contacted the Consulate General of Japan in Brisbane early this week with the same sorts of questions, so i can help ya! (i hope).

You can seek part time employment while on a WHV (the purpose of the visa is to work to support your holiday). If you find a full time job however, you can change to a working visa, BUT you must leave the country in order to do so. The guy i talked to said most people just took a short trip to South Korea to do it. I seem to remember reading some posts where someone said that it depends on who you get when you consult immigration, apparently sometimes it's possible to do it while remaining in Japan? But maybe i am dreaming? The official word from the big wigs is you must leave the country in order to change you visa from WHV to WV.

As far as writing you itinaray goes, its just a 'proposed' itinarary. So you can make it as precise or as vague as you like, afterall you havent secured employment yet so you can't be very precise at all really! It's more a case of what you would like to see and do while in Japan, short term and long term goals etc.

I wouldnt suggest handing in the back of an envelope hahaha Mate it's like university assignments, as long as you type it up nice and neat then you have got half the job done.

Hope that helps.