Job Discussion Forums

rayman · Joined: 24 May 2003 Posts: 427

I have a criminal record for a drink driving offense (middle range). Will this make it impossible for me to gain a working holiday visa for Japan? My understanding is that you cannot have a criminal record. How rigid is this restriction? I didn't serve a sentence. I was fined and disqualified for driving for 12 months. However in Australia, a drink driving offense still goes down as a criminal record.

Any help would be apreciated. Thanks.

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

Japanese immigration is difficult to predict. Recently, Ike Turner was denied entry at Osaka International for a concert he was supposed to give due to a drug conviction several years back. However, both he and his agent claim he's performed several times in Japan before and the drug charge never prevented his entry.

Dean T · Joined: 13 Feb 2003 Posts: 30

I think you will find that they may not be looking for driving offences in their book of DO NOT LET IN , when they process your visa.

They may also have a 5 year rule on most of the offence. Meaning they are looking for offences committed in the last 5 years for most of them except drugs, murder, rape, terrorism .......

Everybody makes mistakes in life. I know of a US colleauge in japan who had a us conviction for a bar room brawl. He is in the country and teaching, and he is a very nice chap and gets along with the kiddies and others great.

I wouldnt be worried about your driving conviction