Job Discussion Forums

Luckycode · Joined: 22 Sep 2006 Posts: 19

ok to set up the situation i am in,
I am an American and will be graduating this December with a TESOL degree. I have a place to stay at, which is my girlfriends parents in Japan.
My girlfriends father owns his own glasses and watch shop. I plan on going there in Febuary to find a job teaching English.

I was wondering if it is possible for him to sponcer a work visa for me?

If it is possible does he have to actually pay me? because i would not really be working for him but actually looking for a job on my own.

And also does it cost him/me a lot of money to get a work visa?

Thanks in advance for any help.

Luckycode

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

If his shop is a certain size, he can probably sponsor you for a visa, but not one related to teaching English (like the ever popular Humanities Specialist).

It costs visa sponsors nothing to sponsor people.

Sweetsee · Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Posts: 2302 Location: ) is everything

None of my business Lucky but don't you think for a second you could show a little more pride than that? Don't get me wrong, not attacking you at all but you want to go live in your friend's parents' house and expect them to sponsor your visa? You'd do better by making a go of it on your own, heck you already have the girl. Tell me if I'm wrong.

Luckycode · Joined: 22 Sep 2006 Posts: 19

Thanks, is it hard to change what ever visa i get from him to one in which I am able to teach English with once i find a job?

Also do i have to actually have to work for him inorder to have the work visa?

Sweetness:

No offence taken, but i am not even graduated yet, The stay at the parents house would be very temporary because i dought that I would find a job remotly close to their house. Once i find a job i am out of there. I was just wondering if it was possible. I was also thinking of just getting a Temporary Visa and having 90 days to quickly find a job.

As for immagration, i don't think that i may be walking lines in getting a work visa in one area to find a job in another.

Sweetsee · Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Posts: 2302 Location: ) is everything

Why don't you ask immigration?

Apsara · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 2142 Location: Tokyo, Japan

Your girlfriend's father will not be able to sponsor a visa for you to teach English here, unless he runs an English school. The usual procedure is to get a job with a school who will sponsor your visa, and they will take care of it. Your original visa must actually be connected to the job, and can only be sponsored by your employer, so I can't imagine on what grounds or for what kind of visa he would be able to sponsor you.

It's good you have a place to stay when you get here, it will cut costs while you are looking for a job. Hopefully you get on well with your girlfriend's parents!

You said you haven't graduated yet though, are you from a country that has a working holiday agreement with Japan? Or if not will you have graduated by the time you arrive here? If you don't have a degree or 3 years relevant work experience, then you can't get a work visa to teach English. You do have choices like spouse visa, cultural visa and student visa but you are going to have to do a bit more research if that is the case. Have a look at the visa categories on the immigration website- I don't have the link but you might find it in the FAQs at the top or if not, Google.

Good luck.

Sweetsee · Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Posts: 2302 Location: ) is everything

Totally possible Lucky. Having her folks on your side is going to help tremendously. I was just thinking that you could very well pull it off without hassling them. How much coin can you get together to make the move?

Luckycode · Joined: 22 Sep 2006 Posts: 19

I figure ball park I will have around 3 thousand dollars spending money after tickets and such are dealt with. Also I stayed with her parents this past summer for about two months when i had an intership in Japan and they are the ones who wanted to stay with them again when i returned this febuary.

Apsara:
thanks for the info, I get along with her parents great already so no worries there. I am American, so with what i have been reading I can't get a work Holiday visa ( I could be wrong). Also I will have a 4-year degree in TESOL this December 2006 and I don't plan on leaveing until late Febuary 2007. I have also been looking into the spouse visa option.

Sweetsee · Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Posts: 2302 Location: ) is everything

Often thought and heard the same thing; friend, or friend of a friend with a business that can sponsor you. It is possible but I have never heard of it happening. People always manage. And you will too. But why not go the extra mile and get your own place set up? You can, everybody does.

Luckycode · Joined: 22 Sep 2006 Posts: 19

Thanks for the support sweetsee i will really take that into consideration. I still have about 5 months to think things threw.

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

Lucky,

As already mentioned, you can't get a visa to teach English with him.

Changing a visa is easy enough if you get an employer willing to sponsor you.

True, Americans cannot get working holiday visas. So, you either have a bachelor's degree for a work visa, or you have the relevant number of years of experience for that particular job. You have neither. I'd say skip the idea of getting a job through him, whether you actually set foot in his business or not. Concentrate on finishing your own degree, or marry the gf, or come to Japan on a student visa (and work PT).

Sweetsee · Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Posts: 2302 Location: ) is everything

You are welcome Lucky, my pleasure. I suppose I would have done the same thing in the day, but after seeing my brother-in-law move into his in-laws place here, no way. And this guy had the mum waiting on him hand and foot. Still bledges over there several nights of the week, like he's in a restaurant. He doesn't even realize the amount of stress he is causing the dear woman, who has enough to do as it is. They took off to Spain for 8 months and the mum offered to pay to hold on to their place because she was sure they would come back here penniless after there fun and move in. Unbelievable. Of course, you are not like him Lucky. At least get a place for the first few days and when they insist on you staying a short while with them until you get on your feet, then you reluctantly accept after the third refusal. Search this site because there was a thread not too long ago about a guy whose girl had set him up in a place. Good luck with the studies Lucky and keep us informed.
All the best to you,
s

Luckycode · Joined: 22 Sep 2006 Posts: 19

Glenski, I have no Intention of setting foot in Japan without my degree which i will have in just a few short months, I am already getting ready for graduation all i have to do is pass my last four classes and i am set. Thanks for the advice though, it was just an idea to have him sponcer my work visa and wasn't sure how it would pan out, but i see that it really isn't a good idea.

Sweetness:
Sound like you know what you are talking about from experence, I will talk to my girlfriend the next chance i get, I do know though that its going to make the parents flip out because they said they really wanted me to stay with them, the last thing i would want to do is offend them.

thanks again

Luckycode