Job Discussion Forums

ava77 · Joined: 03 Jun 2005 Posts: 100

My current employer is asking for a letter stating that my employment is finished at my old company because I will be getting a new visa from my new company. I contacted my previous employer and they said that this is not needed. Is it my previous employers responsibility to provide me with such a document? They said they will only give it if immigration asks them.

JimDunlop2 · Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Posts: 2286 Location: Japan

It's called a "letter of release." If your employer doesn't want to supply one, you may remind them that they are REQUIRED by labor law to provide you with it.

If they are unwilling to cooperate, advise them that you will be speaking with the local Labor Standards office about being unable to obtain a letter of release -- something they must give you.

Alternately, go down to immigration with your cellular phone, phone your former employer from there, and have the immigration official speak directly to those jokers. It's amazing how quickly that changes minds... I've done it before myself.

Good luck

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

To add to Jim's comments, are you actually getting a new visa, or merely renewing the one you had with the previous employer? If it's the latter, then you might also remind the previous boss that if he doesn't write this simple letter of release, then renewing the visa will simply mean that he is still your sponsor and is responsible for your actions in Japan.

ava77 · Joined: 03 Jun 2005 Posts: 100

Thank you for your quick responses. I have emailed them letting them know that they are required by law to give me this letter but haven't got a response. I have a new sponsor and as you said " they are responsible for me" until they give me this letter.

Thanks