Job Discussion Forums

[Willy_In_Japan]

A Specialist in Humanities and International Services Visa,

and an "Instructor's Visa"?

I am being forced to convert to an Instructor's visa.

Are there any advantages/disadvantages to each type?

[Glenski]

http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/04.html

Humanities specialist:
Activities to engage in service that requires knowledge pertinent to jurisprudence, economics, sociology, or other human science fields. Activities to engage in service that requires specific ways of thought or sensitivity based on experience with foreign culture, such as interpreting, translation, copywriting, fashion design, interior design, sales, overseas business, information processing, international finance, design, or public relations and advertising based on a contract with a public or private organization in Japan.
Applicants must fulfill certain conditions concerning personal history and work status.
Documents needed:
Copies of the company registration and a statement of profit and loss of the recipient organization.
Materials describing the business undertaken by the recipient organization.
A diploma or a certificate of graduation with a major in a subject relating to the activity of the person concerned, and documents certifying his or her professional career.
Documents certifying the activity, its duration, the position, and the remuneration of the person concerned.


Instructor visa:
Activities to engage in language instruction and other education at elementary schools, junior high schools, senior high schools, schools for the blind, handicapped children's schools, miscellaneous schools (kakushu gakko and senshu gakko), or other educational institutions equivalent to kakushu gakko in facilities and curriculum.
Documents needed:
Material showing the outline of the recipient organization.
Documents certifying the academic career or a copy of an educational license of the person concerned.
Documents certifying the professional career of the person concerned.
Documents certifying the activity, its duration, the position, and the remuneration of the person concerned.

I think with the Instructor's visa you are not allowed to work in other types of establishments, like eikaiwa.

[Khyron]

[TokyoLiz]

An additional advantage not mentioned here is that immigration control are more likely to renew an Instructors visa for 3 years (if you request a 3 year term). I was also bumped up to instructor visa from a humanities visa, and for the first time, my request for 3 years was granted.