Job Discussion Forums

[hidesmoot]

I am considering taking a job in Japan (3 prior years exp. in Korea) and was wondering how Japan works when it comes to visa renewal.

I'm new to this board, and only joined so I could search the forums and find information pertaining to my situation... but, for some reason or another the search function isn't working and continues to display a blank page. So I would really appreciate some help, or some directions to relevant threads.

First up, is Japan the same as Korea in regards to visa renewals? Am I going to have to submit sealed transcripts every year to renew a work visa? I haven't worked in Asia in several years and I'm thinking about coming back for a sort of "5 year plan," so I'd like to figure out how many copies of what I need to take.

Are visa extensions possible beyond the first year if you stay with the same employer?

As far as the visa process itself goes, I think I have fairly accurate information though I would appreciate it if someone can confirm it:

Step 1: Find a job & send original copy of degree & transcripts to employer.

Step 2: Employer obtains certificate of eligibility and sends to me (how long does this typically take; do I need to provide anything for this step beyond the degree/transcripts?)

Step 3: Take COE & Passport to Japanese Embassy/Consulate in person to obtain visa (I've read this service is free).

Step 4: Fly to Japan.

Is that correct?

Will I have to return to the US yearly, or whenever I change jobs in order to modify my visa?

What if any documents will I need to have notarized?

How about a criminal background check &/or medical records?

Birth certificate?

What is the legality in Japan of changing jobs mid-contract, and what visa ramifications result?

Oh, and one last final question. I see a lot of jobs on here for all over Japan, but for some reason I never see any for Okinawa. I have a good friend who lives there (not a teacher) and would like to try and find a job there... is this being unrealistic?

[hidesmoot]

Oh, I almost forgot.

I've just started reviewing positions in Japan. Most of them offer to reimburse airfare upon arrival. Is that the norm, or is there a chance for me to find a school that will pay for my airfare straight away?

[GambateBingBangBOOM]

You don't need any of that stuff for Japan. The forms you need for visa renewal you get from your employer, if you've changed employers. If you haven't you don't even need that, you just show them your contract. Bring your actual degree with you as well as your actual TESL certificate if you have that to Japan, but that's for interviewing, not visa renewal. You should probably scan copies of them as well. Transcripts- never been asked.

It isn't normal for them to reimburse you for your trip over. What's normal is to have to pay for it yourself and not get paid back period.

Process:

Step 1. interview and get job from your home country.
Step 2. Do what the people who hired you tell you to do.
Step 3. Arrive in Japan. Continue to do what the people who hired you tell you to do.
Step 4a. Repeat steps 1 - 3 from within Japan if you want to change jobs.
OR
Step 4b. Continue working for the same company or school renewing your visa as needed
OR
Step 4c. Return to the US.

That's it. Your visa may be for three years, it's possible it will be for five years based on changes that are in the works for starting in April. You can change jobs as many times as you want while on that visa so long as it's within the bounds of the visa. You don't need to change it. You own the visa in Japan, not your employer.

There are virtually no jobs in Okinawa. The ones that come up are usually filled through word of mouth (which is how the majority of jobs are filled throughout the country). Jobs in Okinawa aren't really advertised. Most are part-time, too. Okinawa pays less than other prefectures. including for Japanese people. Most Japanese people work in either tourism in some way (hotels etc), public services (hospitals, schools etc [the JET program has a strangle hold on Okinawa]) or military support in some way.

You can legally change jobs mid-contract, but most jobs start April 1st, so it's not all that common, except in the few places that have jobs that start in August and actually run year long contracts (most don't- if you start a job in August it will often only be until March 31 and then the next contract will be for a year starting April 1).

You should, however, start asking WHEN you will arrive in Japan. I know Korean companies tend to do everything right at the last second. A lot of the eikaiwa are still interviewing (that's their job, so it must be done even when it makes no sense to do it) but they aren't actually sending people to Japan because there are very few jobs opening up. Some people have reported waiting in their home country for six months after the word that they would be hired, before actually leaving. If you read through this site, you'll see that the market is pretty much swamped with people who have been here for years and already speak the language to at least intermediate level. Added to that is that the economy is in really bad shape and so people are sort of clinging to what they've already got.

[seklarwia]

[Glenski]

[seklarwia]