Job Discussion Forums

Swerlynstars · Joined: 21 Jul 2003 Posts: 8 Location: Canada

Is it better to go to Japan to find a job, or is it better to find a job from Canada first?

I have somewhere to stay in the Osaka area while I job hunt. It seems as though there are plenty more opportunities to find a decent English job while staying in Japan as opposed to finding a job from Canada.

I'm just wondering about obtaining a work visa while in Japan after getting a job...maybe it's better to get a job in Canada first, then one can obtain a work visa before going.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

Sean

nomadder · Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2003 11:02 pm Post subject:

If you find a job while in Japan you will have to leave the country to get the visa but my coworker went to Guam so it was a quick getaway. Lots got to Seoul. You might find a more interesting school this way but will need money to fund your job search time and subsequent trip for the visa.

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

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

nomadder · Posted: Fri Aug 08, 2003 2:59 pm Post subject:

Glenski, this happened 3 years ago. He worked at a small conversation school. Is it now possible to get the working visa without leaving the country? I was interviewed in my home country(not by the big 4) and I recently talked to a girl who got a job via the net not at the big 4 so I would say it is possible.

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

I have heard nothing through official channels, but many people are posting that the Tokyo area doesn't require you to leave the country anymore. I'm sure it applies to other areas of Japan as well. No guarantees, though. That happened about a year or two ago.

Celeste · Posted: Sat Aug 09, 2003 1:41 am Post subject:

I know the F ukuoka immigration office doesn't require you to leave the country for renewals, even if you are changing from an employer sponsored to self sponsored visa. One of my friends did his visa renewal here in june, and he didn't have to leave the country. It might be the same for changing from a working holiday visa to other types of visas. Every office and every immigration officer will likely be different.

canuck · Joined: 11 May 2003 Posts: 1921 Location: Japan

My friend came to Osaka last year, stayed at my house. The school said they would sponsor him. They put his application in. He was told if that if his visa took longer to process before his tourist visa ran out, it wouldn't be a problem and that he didn't have to leave and do a visa run.

Your chances are better finding a job while in Japan, except for the big conversation schools. They prefer to hire overseas, get you in one of their appartments, have you borrow money from them and really need them.

If you have a friend to stay with, just get a working holiday visa, come over and try to find a job. It's not that easy these days, but it can be done. If you had a working holiday visa, you could go to Berlitz, as they usually need teachers, but the thing is you have to endure the 2 weeks of non paid training. Not that big a deal if you're starting out, but that really gets a lot of people that have been here a while as no one wants to do 2 weeks unpaid.

If I were you, come and stay at a friends place, go to Berlitz. If they say yes, you're in. If they don't, then spend time looking for work elsewhere and milk the contacts from your friend.