Job Discussion Forums

jenny · Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Posts: 5

Someone said here they had to have 3500 in Traveller's Checks before they came to Tokyo. Is this standard for entry into the country?

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

Yes... If you are married and arriving on a Working Holiday Visa. It's $2500 if you are single. (CDN funds by the way).....

This is not a requirement if you aren't applying for the Working Holiday program (or the lower figure if you are coming alone)...

What a friend of mine did: borrowed from his parents, went into the visa office, showed them the money, then returned said travellers' cheques, and all was good.

Wink

Cheers,

JD

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

Jenny,

If you are coming to Japan, whether you have job in hand or are coming to look for work, you'd better bring some money. People will tell you US$3000-5000. You don't know when your first paycheck is going to be, perhaps 6-8 weeks after you land, so you'd better be able to support yourself while you are here. This amount does NOT include money to travel around or have fun. It is support money.

jenny · Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Posts: 5

Well, this is shocking, I'm sure, but when I came to Mongolia to teach I had all of a few hundred dollars--enough to survive for two months. But I understand Tokyo is a different matter.

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

Jenny,
Why is this shocking? Japan is the most expensive country in the world, and Tokyo was just rated the most expensive city. It's a far cry from Mongolia, you have to admit.