Job Discussion Forums

[tachikoma]

Hi,

I am a Canadian guy w/ a master's degree in journalism, experience as a teacher and ESL textbook writer. Going back to asia to work in 1 month - taiwan or japan, i can't decide.

The last time I came to japan, I came on a 3 month tourist visa. Although I eventually found a school willing to sponsor me for a working visa, my job search took 8 weeks and was expensive. I was living in a Gaijin house in Osaka and I saw at least 2 American guys arrive straight out of undergraduate school. They had obtained full time working visas, in america, before arriving in japan. They went to Nova the day after they arrived and got jobs. I don't want to work at nova, particularly, but I would consider coming to Japan if I could get a working visa (not a working-holiday-v) before arriving because I think it would make things much easier.

I'd like to hear from people who have done this or know if it's possible. Canadians... americans.... anybody know if only Americans can do this?

Kind of a noob question.... even though I lived in asia more than 3 years... my apologies

[canuck]

I don't understand your question. Everything is the same. If you want to find a job here, bring your degree, look for a job that will sponsor you and go through the process. The safest bet is to get a WHV, come here and hit the ground running. Then change the visa. You don't have to work at NOVA.

[Glenski]

Nationality doesn't matter much as long as you're a native English speaker. Your options are fairly simple:

1. Stay in your home country and apply to the very few places that recruit there and that sponsor visas. Interview there, get the job, and get the visa started before you leave for Japan.
2. Come to Japan, set yourself up and job hunt until you find something. Not all employers sponsor work visas, but if you find one that does, and he hires you, you file the paperwork and start your job.

Both options have their financial and logistical nightmares and pluses. You don't have to work for NOVA, but if you stay in Canada, you won't have many options. I've written about this many times.

[tachikoma]

thanks for your replies. The fact is that the guy that I knew had a third option; he somehow got a working visa in his home country, without being recruited by anyone in advance. He chose nova After he got to japan.

does that mean that he got a visa without a sponsor? I guess that's the most confusing part. it doesn't seem possible.

I understand the options you presented. I've done both before; been recruited for a job in home country and came over to work, and arrived cold in a country and looked for a sponsor.

i guess unless someone who's actually done the same thing as the american guys i knew posts here, we'll never know.... or at least I'll never know....

[earthmonkey]

[Apsara]

Earthmonkey is right- that was exactly my reaction. That guy must have had the job lined up with Nova already. Japanese immigration will not give you a visa to work here unless you have a company that will sponsor you.