Job Discussion Forums

bamboocactus · Joined: 06 Jun 2009 Posts: 17

So I'm now faced with the prospect of needing to pound the pavement and job hunt on a temporary 90 day entry permit. Whoopie! While all sources tell me I should have very few problems finding employment this way, for various reasons, I am a little concerned and planning for the worst.

The worst being: What if I can't find something within 90 days?

Of course I can't enter the country on a temporary 90 day permit without a ticket out, so before I head over I'll have purchased a round-trip ticket to Korea, where I'll stay with friends or family for a few days before going back to Japan.

Now, if I do that, upon landing in Japan, I will be able to get another 90 day permit, correct? I've heard of many people doing this, but I want to be absolutely certain before I go there and find myself standing in the airport, not being allowed into the country. That would be bad, I think.

So who here has done this method of job-hunting? Who has gona to Japan on a 90 day permit, found a job, and been okay? Also, who has gone on the 90 day permit, not been able to find a job immediately, and had to get another one?

I understand that extending the 90 permit is a really difficult process and you have to have a really really good reason for it, so I'm only concentrating on the going to Korea and coming back for a new one tactic.

Mosley · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 158

Mmmm...weren't you just telling another newbie to "just come on over & have a positive attitude"? Wink

Unless I'm sadly mistaken it's still illegal to enter Japan on a tourist visa & look for work.

About 10 yrs. ago, a JET ALT in my city had her BF come over to stay with her. He wasn't even looking for work & as far as I remember, never taught so much as a private. About 88 days into his visa, he buggered off to play tourist in Korea for a few days. He flew back in. Guess what? He was hustled onto the next plane to California and wasn't even allowed to ph. his GF before his flight!

Would that happen to you? Who knows? But it seems so many newbies just think you can rock up to Japan w/no work visa or contract and if you're just "positive", things'll just work out fine. This is 2009, not 1989. The Golden Days are over....

bamboocactus · Joined: 06 Jun 2009 Posts: 17

Mmmm... you misinterpreted. That is a completely seperate matter. And also a blatant misquote. I'm only talking about immigration officers now. (Incidentally, I spoke to one and got an answer to my question, but I still want to hear about other people's experiences)

Besides, 10 years ago? Come on. On any website or in any embassy it's clear to see that laws have been changed as recent as 2005.

Yes, it's illegal to come on a 'tourist' visa and look for work. That's why you don't tell the immigration official that that's what you'll be doing.

Mosley · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 158

Well, if it's "so clear from any website"[paraphrase] what the rules are, why bother to come to Dave's?

Too many noobs come here looking for advice, but when they don't get the answers they want, get defensive and attack those who generously take the time to give said advice. Want me to say "come over, if you don't get a job in 90 days, no probs...immigration will be tickled pink to give you a new 90 day visa."? OK, there...I said it.

"While all sources tell me I should have very few problems finding employment this way...I am a little concerned...."

All sources?! Do tell.

Very few problems? Then why sweat out what some old crocks might tell you at Dave's?

I'm a little concerned...

You should be. But which is it? A snap to arrive and get a job or cause for concern?

bamboocactus · Joined: 06 Jun 2009 Posts: 17

Chill out, jeez. This site seems to be peppered with curmudgeons that have been in Japan apparently too long.

I'm only asking what other people's experience with this tactic is. Take a look at http://www.all-about-teaching-english-in-japan.com/teachenglishinjapan.html. It's a pretty solid site, and the information on that page in particular is echoed throughout the internet. I don't think I have to cite my on posts on an internet forum just to avoid being heckled. (Or maybe I do?)

Why bother coming to Dave's, you ask? Maybe it has something to do with wanting to read about or ask about the experiences of others, and try to work out some questions of my own.

What's with the "noob" thing? What are we, 12 years old? Yeah, I see you claim to have been in Japan for 13 years, lovely. Does that make you any better than those who are trying to break in? You're nice and settled in, a grizzled vet, you know the score, maybe your nihongo doesn't suck. Fantastic.

Mosley · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 158

You talked about a "blatant misquote", yet you claim I claimed to have lived in Japan for 13 yrs. (never said any such thing). For the record, I spent 5 years of my life in Japan. And thanks for the not-so-thinly-veiled insults regarding my age. Not for the first time at Dave's, even though at the Korean Forum they take on an altogether type of psychotic ferocity.

Go ahead mate...arrive in Japan, get those 90 days stamped in your passport. Kiss 5 grand goodbye and then fly back for a new visa & instead get deported. And then come back to Dave's to tell all & sundry how nobody warned you.

Or...ignore the above and land in Japan & get a dream job within days...it's all the same to me....

Why I waste my time giving free advice to the ungrateful...it is I who should give me head a shake, I'll admit that....

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

bamboocactus,
You might want to treat the veteran expats with a little more respect if you want their advice.

I have not done what you intend, but I can tell you this:

Yes, you should not tell immigration you are here to job hunt as a tourist.
Will you automatically get that second 90 days? Not necessarily. It all depends on the officer you run into and your reason for staying a second time. They will want a valid reason and proof that you can support yourself. A quick hop to Korea for a weekend may not be long enough of an interval, either.

As for this:

bamboocactus · Joined: 06 Jun 2009 Posts: 17

cornishmuppet · Joined: 27 Mar 2004 Posts: 642 Location: Nagano, Japan

I know a couple of people who've done "visa runs" to Korea or China or whether and got that second 90 day stamp without any problems. That's not to say that some people don't get deported, but I don't know of any. Probably if you give immigration a friend's address or something you'll be all right.

Like others have said, it probably depends who you run into at the airport. Just make camera gestures and look confused if they ask you what your purpose of stay is.

Good luck!

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

basilbrush · Joined: 23 Feb 2009 Posts: 61

I did it pretty recently. Here's my advice:

Try as hard as you can to line interviews and meetings up with employers before you come.

Get a phone as soon as you get here (you can hire them, expensive but important).

Tell immigration you're just on holiday.

Don't be picky about work, your priority is to get the visa, you can always change jobs after. But remember if you get a job as an ALT you need a different visa for Eikaiwa work.

Make a decent CV, prepare yourself for interviews, get good references (2), and don't forget to bring your suit.

Good luck

bamboocactus · Joined: 06 Jun 2009 Posts: 17

Great advice, thanks a ton, basilbrush and Glenski!

Incidentally, in what city did you do this?

Also, I'm at the moment trying to line up interviews and meetings for when I get there, but I won't arrive until August 19th, two months down the line. Should I keep collecting resources and contact them a little closer to the date, do you think?

Mikoan · Joined: 12 Jun 2009 Posts: 28

Someone from my college did it two years ago, in the Kyoto area. I don't really know the details, though he spoke near-fluent Japanese and also had a friend in the area that he could crash with until he could find a job, which may have helped. I think he found something in a month. Of course this is just one situation, but it worked him for him (though he said his school was a little dodgy, and it took some haranguing for them to sponsor a work visa for him).

wayne432 · Joined: 05 Jun 2008 Posts: 255

Mosley · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 158

Haven't worked in Japan for a while, but it used to be:

Eikaiwas: you need a "Specialist in Humanities...." visa.

ALT jobs with public schools(JET or BOE): you need an "Instructor" visa.

Dispatch cos.: not sure, actually. Glenski?

An aside to those who really want a dispatch co. gig: (apologies to Mr. T)''I pity the fool...."

Edit: I looked at the MOFA website & I would guess that dispatch ALTs would need an Instructor visa. This, if I'm right, would mean the poor schmucks who are ALTs are being hosed, because the MOFA visa regulations state that those who hold such a visa be paid not less than Japanese counterparts. That's a laugh...most dispatch types have contracts that don't even put them close to JETs, let alone Japanese teachers.