Job Discussion Forums

[InLimbo]

I'm thinking about taking a trip to
Japan. While I'm there, I'm going
to seek out English teaching
positions.

I'm an American citizen and I know
that a U.S. university diploma is
required for a work visa to be issued.

My question is: Do I need to carry
around my original university
diploma as proof of work visa
eligibility? Or is it possible for me
to just show a notarized copy of my
diploma?

I understand that only the Immigration office needs to see
the diploma (and not the company/
school that's going to hire you).

On a further note, if a notarized
copy is acceptable, would I need
multiple notarized copies for each
time I want to obtain a job with
a new company? Or do I just
need to show the immigration office
my notarized copy (which they
promptly give back to me - and
which I can 'reuse' at a later time)?

[homersimpson]

You can ask your university to send you an official letter stating your date of graduation and degree received. It's similar to official transcripts in that if you open the envelope it comes it, it is no longer "official." One letter is sufficient as you will only be submitting once to immigration in order to apply for a visa.

[InLimbo]

Thanks for your reply.

But I wanted to clarify something.

Let's say in Year 1, I work for company X. Meaning I have
already shown proof of graduation.

Now in Year 2, I want to work for
Company Y. So now, I have to
show the immigration office proof
of graduation again.

So you're saying that as long as
I have that official letter of
graduation, it's okay?

I heard stories that only the
*original* diploma is sufficient,
because people have been faking
diplomas in the past... Is this not true?

In essence, if I want to work for
5 different companies over 5
years (hypothetically), I should
have 5 sealed official letters of
graduation?

How about an official transcript
that also shows proof of graduation?

[homersimpson]

Once you get your initial work visa (1 or 3 years) and its stamp in your passport, it is no longer necessary to show proof of graduation. Even if you change employers you will not have to resubmit proof of graduation. I would use either the letter of degree confirmation (preferred, so you don't have damage done to your diploma) or the original diploma (not official transcripts).