Job Discussion Forums

[richie122]

I've been told that it is possible to find work as an English teacher in Japan, without a university degree. I have two years teaching experience (one year at a Chinese college, one year at a Korean language institute in china) a Tesl, and one year of University. So... Ist it possible... thanks

[Sweetsee]

Totally possible, plenty of people teaching without degrees.

[Glenski]

Sweetsee, you should know better than to post such an abbreviated message of positivity. Tell the whole truth, ok?

richie,
Without a university degree, you have a few options to get work in Japan.

1. Work visas require a bachelor's degree or a minimum of 3 years full-time teaching experience. Sorry, but you don't meet this requirement.

2. Working holiday visas don't require a degree at all. If you are American, you don't qualify for a WHV, but if you are Australian, Canadian, New Zealander, Brit, Korean, German, or French, and if you are 18 to 30 years old, you might qualify. Read the MOFA web site on WHVs to see.
http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/w_holiday/index.html

3. Spouse visas don't require a degree, but you must be married to a Japanese.

4. Dependent visas don't require a degree, but with special permission you can work part time. DVs require that you are married to a fellow foreigner with a work visa here.

5. Student visas don't require a degree, but you must be enrolled in a Japanese school, and with special permission you can work PT.

6. Cultural visas don't require a degree, but you must be sponsored by a craftsman and get special permission to work.

http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/index.html

7. Fake degrees don't require real degrees, either. Use at your own severe risk!!

So, other than option #7, do you fall into any of these categories, richie?

[Sweetsee]

Sorry about that Glenski, very right you are. If I was optimistic you certainly provided him the reality.

[Like a Rolling Stone]

Yo! My friend got a culture visa by doing aikido but it took a loooong time to get the visa. a few months!!!

I know someone else who got in with a dogdy degree. But I think 'DONT DO IT!' or it will be visa fraud and you could become an authority on Japanese prisons.

My advice is do one more year of teaching then add it to your other two years then you qualify for a visa. Happy days!