Job Discussion Forums

ShapeSphere · Joined: 16 Oct 2004 Posts: 386

The standard requisite for all teaching jobs in Japan clearly states that a degree is a must.

I don't have a degree, but have 4.5 years English teaching experience, TESOL, and 13 years I.T. experience.

My chances are limited but not impossible. I've read on this site and through other research, that teachers can work in Japan without a degree.

Some claim that 4 years teaching experience will allow a Humanities Visa. I qualify for that.

Some claim that over 10 years work experience means Japanese immigration see the merit in your skill set, and a visa is permitted. I qualify for that.

My question is simple. Where is the hard evidence that supports these claims?

Japan is a country renowned for its rules and regulations, so surely such visa laws will be written down somewhere. Does anyone know of their existence and is able to provide links?

I would be very grateful if anybody can help out. Cheers.

I should also point out that a very small number of schools have mentioned that a degree is not required. Smith's English School - a sort of franchise operation - being one of them. So there must be a loophole or bypass somewhere.

(I am currently visiting Japan [Kyushu] as a part-holiday/part-work search, and for the first time feel that I could spend the rest of my life in one location. I love it that much. But after living in Germany & China, am aware of the 'honeymoon' period that happens to many new arrivals in their new world. I will only know my true feelings after a year or two years, but don't know until I try.)

PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan

ShapeSphere · Joined: 16 Oct 2004 Posts: 386

PAULH. Thanks for the reply. I actually knew about the mofa link through Google searching, but not that part.

I've just been sifting through all the past posts on this forum and this link says that a four year degree is not required:

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=34135

This thread, where you actually gave some great info about the Specialist in Humanities visa:

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=33997

I'll take your word regard Smith's. I can see from a lot of posts, that your opinions are respected and you know plenty about Japan. That's good enough for me. Cheers and I'll do some more looking. I'm determined to get work in Japan.

PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan

ShapeSphere · Joined: 16 Oct 2004 Posts: 386

OK cheers.

I was just looking at the official visa laws from the MOFA link you provided, and it clearly states in part a of the Instructor position:

"The applicant must have graduated from or completed a college or acquired equivalent education, or must hold a license to teach the subject that he or she intends to teach in Japan."

I have TESOL and so "hold a license to teach the subject". The key word is "or". Have I understood that correctly I wonder...?

This four year degree rule is technically not required. Schools just put that in, because they want somebody educated and out of university. I understand and respect that, but I am at the age of 38 and have received plenty of education in life and work, through real experience. I am not 22 years old! (But, it would be nice to be young again).

A university degree at my stage in life, wouldn't change who I am today. That said, I will consider doing an MA in the future as more knowledge and learning on my part wouldn't go amiss. It would be useful in today's job market.

PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan

You can rationalise all you want, but in 99.9% of cases immigration (not your employer) demands an undergraduate BA. You dont have one you dont get a visa. You can always ask the embassy and see what they will accept. Dont hold your breath, though.

In 20 years in Japan I have heard of very few people get a full sponsored visa without a BA unless they can con immigration into thinking a 2 year AA diploma is a 4 -year degree.

If you have experience (TESOL cert by itself is not enough to get a visa) you can aim for the Specialist in Humanities. Ultimately its up to immigration and immigration alone, whether you get a visa, not us. Language schools do not issue work visas so its not up to them. Blaming the school is not seeing the wood for the trees.

stillnosheep · Joined: 01 Mar 2004 Posts: 2068 Location: eslcafe

ShapeSphere · Joined: 16 Oct 2004 Posts: 386

Yes, it's a good point. But the law did say "or". EDIT: ok thanks stillnosheep. My post was just after yours. That clears that up.

I've been reading through all the posts on this forum, and clearly teachers without a degree are extremely rare and from some posts can even cause aggravation to people with degrees. I won't dredge all that up again as I can respect a decent education.

I've been looking at the Open University in the UK, so perhaps it would be better for me to do an MA. Cheers.

PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan

PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan

Yawarakaijin · Joined: 20 Jan 2006 Posts: 504 Location: Middle of Nagano

Its late and Im tired so I will be brief. It is absolutely correct that if you have 3 years experience in the field of work you wish to do in Japan that you can qualify for the Humanities visa. You are looking for hard evidence, well Im too tired to find the link on the immigration website but its stated clearly. The only other hard evidence I can give you is that I have done it. 5 years experience at a language college in Vancouver without a 4 year degree and now here I am. I dont know what other evidence you need or are looking for. Just applied for my new visa, 3 years this time, got it.

womblingfree · Joined: 04 Mar 2006 Posts: 826

As far as I know a BA is the minimum requirement for a working visa and you can argue the case all you like but without one it's a flat NO.

It's simple to get hard evidence either way, just phone up the Japanese embassy.

Maybe a working holiday visa is possible? Let us know how you get on.

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

Yawarakaijin · Joined: 20 Jan 2006 Posts: 504 Location: Middle of Nagano

It really does irk me when people feel like they are free to give absolute answers when in fact if just look at the website it is as clear as day.

Humanities visa requires 3 years of experience in a field ( i cannot say for all fields but it does apply to teaching ESL ) in order to be eligible for the visa.

I cannot count the number of posters who come on here and flatly say that you MUST have a 4 year degree to teach english in Japan. It is simply NOT TRUE. I dont feel like getting into it all again. If you want a more detailed explanation please search my posts, there are not many.

womblingfree · Joined: 04 Mar 2006 Posts: 826