Job Discussion Forums

[milesdenman]

Hi,
I have just been to the Japanese Embassy to enquire about visas, i'm coming to Japan in January to work.
The info they gave me on visa applications with a certificate of eligibility states that at immigration in Japan i need to have 'evidence of plans to leave Japan after a reasonable stay'.
Does this mean i have to buy a return ticket, and then just not bother using the return... seems a bit of a waste.
What's the deal?

[G Cthulhu]

Which visa category _exactly_ are you talking about?

Certain short term categories require a return ticket at the point of immigration, although whether they ask to see that is another question entirely. Most categories don't require anything like that and AFAIK you don't need to show anything about tickets etc when applying of a COE.

[milesdenman]

Thanks.
I'll be working for ECC, so its an instructor working visa. I think they're issued on a yearly basis, i hope so anyway.
ECC send me a COE about three weeks before i leave. I then take this to the embassy with my passport, visa application form, and photos. They process my visa and send it to me in the post within a week.
I went in to the Embassy whilst in London the other day to pick up some application forms. They gave me list of what i need to give them for my application. At the bottom of the list the following was written:

"A visa is not a guarantee of entry into Japan. When a traveller reaches Japan, an Immigration Officer determines whether or not a person qualifies under the law to enter Japan. This applies whether the traveller has a visa or not. Therefore, travellers should carry with them evidence of the purpose of their trip, evidence of funds to support themselves during their stay in Japan and evidence of plans to leave Japan after a reasonable stay.'

Evidence of the purpose of their trip= would a contract suffice?
Evidence of funds to support themselves= bank statements?
Evidence of plans to leave Japan after a reasonable stay= ???

Also, on the application form it asks how long i intend to stay in Japan for, shall i put the length of my contract ie. 1 year, even if i intend to renew my contract after a year, and stay in Japan for a few?
Anyway, apologies, i've just realised how long and boring this post is!
Thanks

[Glenski]

I wasn't aware that the instructor visa was required by ECC. Instructor visas are for university teachers. ECC is an eikaiwa, so all you need is the humanities specialist work visa.

If something is "issued on a yearly basis", that means they are issued only once a year, but I think you meant that the visa you expect to receive is valid for a year. Well, that is very likely, but work visas could also be valid for 3 years. You can actually request which one you want on the application form (although which one you get depends on immigration's whims).

So, if you check the box for 1 year, say you intend to stay for a year. If you check the 3-year box, say you intend to stay for that long.

As for proving that you will leave, ask what they want.