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famous
Joined: 13 Feb 2004
Posts: 9
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 Posted: Mon Mar 08, 2004 6:23 pm Post subject: Work Visa vs. WHV |
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hi,
I'm in the midst of trying to organise a way for me to get to Japan. I was wondering if anyone could fill me in on the relative advantages and disadvantages of a work visa and a working holiday visa? Here are my details. I'm looking at going with a large company (i.e. AEON) or by myself with the WHV. I'm 29, Canadian, and have a degree. I am looking to shoot a film while I'm there and finance this by teaching English. The job experience will also serve as material for the film. All the financial perks of going through an established company are nice, but being able to choose my location is very important to me - I'm not looking to live out in the sticks. Is it relatively easy to show up in Tokyo and find a job? I'd also prefer a job that is more flexible and doesn't consume all of my time. I know... a dream job. Also, does anyone know how to get around the one year limit on WHV stays? I have to have purchase a return ticket as a condition for getting the WHV. I have found that most return tickets and insurance coverage aren't much good if you're staying longer than a year. Any other pitfalls of a WHV would be great. Thanks!
tim |
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Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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| Posted: Mon Mar 08, 2004 8:38 pm Post subject: |
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Advantages of a WHV.
No need for a degree.
You can start work immediately (without fear of being caught by immigration while you work on a tourist visa during the processing period for your work visa).
Disadvantages of a WHV.
Age limit.
Need proof of certain financial support.
Time limit (roughly a year), then you can't use it...ever again.
Limited to certain nationalities.
Advantages of a work visa.
Renewability. Sometimes for one year, sometimes for 3 years.
No age limit like the WHV.
It is yours. If you change employers, you don't lose it.
Disadvantages of a work visa.
You need a bachelor's degree (or years of experience).
Can only do the work it specifies (teaching, for example).
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| Is it relatively easy to show up in Tokyo and find a job? |
That is a very general question, to which I will give you the best possible answer. It depends.
It depends on your qualifications, timing, location, ability to interview, attractiveness of your resume and cover letter, and your initiative. Some people find work in 2 weeks; others never find work during their entire 90 days of tourist visa.
| Quote: |
| I'd also prefer a job that is more flexible and doesn't consume all of my time. |
Well, maybe teaching is not for you. Teaching FT is a job, just like anything else. The schedule is not always conducive to many who wish to spend evenings having fun, and you are rarely able to request time off. Your holidays come along with everyone else's.
Eikaiwas usually have FT work from noon to 9pm, five days a week, and your weekends might not be 2 consecutive days.
Have you seen AEON's "average schedule"? (cut/paste)
8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
As a teacher's workday does not start until relatively late, the option is available for teachers to sleep in or rise early, depending on their temperament. Should a teacher desire to stay up until late, it is still possible to get a full eight hours sleep on most schedules. Many teachers study Japanese or are involved in other activities in the morning.
12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
The workday starts at noon or 1:00 p.m., depending on the day of the week, but teachers generally arrive at work ten to fifteen minutes before their workday starts. On most days teachers will teach several classes. Teachers will not teach more than twenty-five hours a week or they will be paid overtime. The classroom is also a place for the foreign teacher to learn, as most students are willing (and eager) to talk about Japanese culture.
At the weekly staff meetings, educational and managerial concerns are discussed. Examples of meeting topics are student progress, teaching techniques, supplementary study programs and enrollment campaigns. Teachers share their ideas on how to teach more effectively. Sometimes there are other opportunities to expand a teacher's knowledge, such as through attendance at branch-size or area-size teachers meetings.
One-on-one counseling sessions with students are sometimes held to discuss progress and difficulties the students are experiencing with their English studies. Often teachers help students make decisions regarding the next course in which they will enroll, or provide information on their home country. In case students desire to study or live abroad, the advice of the teachers can benefit them greatly.
Lunch break is one hour or an hour-and-a-half, depending upon the day of the week. The mid-afternoon is generally the time of day when relatively few classes are scheduled. Teachers usually have one or two early classes followed by a break for lunch and time for lesson preparation.
5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
In the evening a common schedule is to teach classes from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. Classes can be from 40 to 60 minutes, with the majority of classes being 50 minutes in length. Often in the late afternoon and evening, prospective students visit the schools. Interviewing these prospective students is an important part of the foreign teacher's job. Many teachers enjoy meeting these new people and take great pride in representing their home country.
The school day ends at 9:00 p.m., allowing teachers to pursue other interests, which may range from karaoke to sports to learning traditional activities. There are often interesting events that teachers can attend, as there is no shortage of evening entertainment in Japan. Of course, should a teacher just want to go home to read a book or watch a movie, that option is always available. |
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quai
Joined: 21 Oct 2003
Posts: 12
Location: Japan
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| Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2004 12:38 pm Post subject: |
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i guess being a canadian and under 30 you have no problems being able to get the working holiday visa.
You could try working for someone like Nova if you are looking to go on the working holiday visa.
You could work Mon to Fri 5PM - 9PM and have weekends off ... on what they call a Flexi Schedule position (WHV people only).
Give you time to do your movie. On the other hand ... if you are serious about teaching english then you should go for the sponsored visa... as you can work more hours and get better jobs.
good luck |
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PAULH
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Posts: 4672
Location: Western Japan
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| Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2004 1:22 pm Post subject: Re: Work Visa vs. WHV |
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| famous wrote: |
hi,
I'm 29, Canadian, and have a degree. I am looking to shoot a film while I'm there and finance this by teaching English. The job experience will also serve as material for the film. All the financial perks of going through an established company are nice, but being able to choose my location is very important to me - I'm not looking to live out in the sticks. Is it relatively easy to show up in Tokyo and find a job? I'd also prefer a job that is more flexible and doesn't consume all of my time. I know... a dream job.
tim |
If you are on a working holiday visa, working part time, and living in one of the most expensive cities in the world, on par with New York and London, it is very unlikely that you will save very much except your living expenses. I would not expect to see much change out of a 180-200,000 yen a month income, which is what even many full time jobs are going for now. As Glenski said, most schedules are fairly set, you are working when students are not. With NOVA you might get flextime but thats about it.
I might also add that in order to earn an income and support your lifestyle and interests, have some money for your filmmaking it will mean that you will spend significant time working. A 250,000 yen a month full time job will have you working 8 hours a day, 40-45 hours a week, not including transportation to and from work. Throw in a side job on weekends and you wont have much time to do any filiming whatsoever. For many people its a toss up between lots of income and no time to enjoy it or plenty of free time but broke, or just getting by. You cant have it both ways IMO. |
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