Job Discussion Forums

[uberscheisse]

hi, i used the search function to try and find some information about this specific problem, and 1/2 hr. later i decided to post.

i have been accepted for a position in japan, but the people who are hiring have asked for these, which are "necessary for obtaining a certificate of eligibility."

1 your resume(original)
2 your diploma( both original and photocopied one)
3 your photos ( same size as for pass port ) : 2 photos
4 photocopy of your passport
5 above mentioned signed contract (original)

as far as i can see from the FAQ, i don't even have to prove i have a diploma to receive a certificate of eligibility.

but - the reason why i think they may not be b.s.-ing me is that korea just made their visa process more of a pain in the arse, partly due to that pedophile that was caught in thailand a while back.

any advice is appreciated. i will be going to the japanese consulate today, and maybe they will tell me the real deal.

[southofreality]

You should be able to send an official sealed transcript in lieu of your diploma as long as there is some record of your graduation on the transcript. I did this twice before and received a C.O.E. both times.

[uberscheisse]

thanks. i was also thinking of a notarized copy of the diploma. maybe that would work too.

[Glenski]

Asking for the original diploma is normal here. You can get by, though, with a certified copy plus transcripts. Asking for original plus a copy is overkill and unnecessary, IMO.

Just make a good copy, certify it, add a letter from the university if you like, and add transcripts as southofreality mentioned. I would also add a comment stating that you are uncomfortable providing an original for fear that it may be damaged or lost (these things do happen).

On the other hand, if they push for an original, it may be only because they know such things can be forged. Heck, who's to say the "original" isn't a fake document, too, eh? I wouldn't worry, though. Getting a replacement usually costs only a few dollars.

[uberscheisse]

[silvercat]

My understanding is that you can use an original or a notarised copy of your degree. For my CofE I used my transcript. Some one else mentioned this and was also told this was fine as long as it had a record of when my degree when awarded. So this might be a better option if you don't want to part with the actual certificate.

[Glenski]

[uberscheisse]

[Shonai Ben]

I was asked for original copies only but there was no way I was taking a chance on losing them so I went to a lawyer and got him to make copies and certify them...........it was fine,no questions asked.
Give it a try.

[AndyH]

My former employer, in accordance to what they had been told by the immigration office, required the original diploma or original copy of the transcripts, with an embossed seal.

[uberscheisse]

[RingofFire]

[Apsara]

I handed over my original diploma when I apllied for my visa and it was mailed to Japan. I got it back when I got here. In almost 10 years here I have never had anyone tell me their degree was lost or damaged en route. I wouldn't worry too much.

[AndyH]

When my employer requested my diploma, I wasn't in Japan at the time either. I had moved to Guatemala for six months and needed to go through the process of getting a new work visa again. An original copy of the university transcripts would have sufficed IF they had come with a raised embossed seal. Because my university's seal isn't raised on the paper, it wasn't acceptable to the Japanese government!

[uberscheisse]

the email i got back from the school:

I also contacted an official of the immigration office and confirmed they don't require ORIGINAL diploma now.
They used to ask for ORiGINAL one, but they say a copy of your diploma is valid now..

so thanks for clarifying everyone. i told them no, and to check the real regulations, and they did.