Job Discussion Forums

[travellingwillbury]

Hi everyone,

I have recently graduated from University and would love to teach in Japan. My problem is that while I graduated from uni in December, my school does not issue a diploma or a transcript until May. I have a letter from the university saying that I graduated but that is all the University will do for me. I don't want to wait until May but I don't wan't to take a bad job either. Does anyone have any advice for me as to whether I can get a job or visa? Also are all countries policies the same? Any advice would be grand.

[homersimpson]

As long as you have an official document from your uni verifying your graduation you should be able to get a visa. When I got my initial work visa I submitted such a letter (not my original diploma) because I didn't want it out of my possession while the paperwork was being processed.

[travellingwillbury]

Thanks for the advice Homer. Whats does the process involve. I live in a small city in eastern Canada. I assume the consulate- embassy is in Toronto or Ottawa. Do I have to send this off to them by mail. And is that all the documentation I need. Forgive my ignorance but this is all new to me. Im assuming once thats done and I land a job the school takes care of the leg work involved with getting the visa in S Korea.

[Gordon]

Do you want to go to Japan or S. Korea? You've got conflicting messages?

[PAULH]

Gordon

As he is from the US I assume he wants to come to Japan on a tourist visa, find a job with a school and then go to Korea to change the visa over to a work visa. Thats my guess anyway. If he gets hired with the big schools in the US he can get his sponsorship taken care of from Japan.

[homersimpson]

Paul is correct regarding the visa procedure via the Big 3 (4?) schools. The problem is the lag time between the initial interview and actual arrival in Japan. If travelling were to interview this week, for example, he probably wouldn't be coming to Japan until late April or May anyway, which he doesn't want to do. I'd suggest applying for jobs with an ALT-dispatching company since a majority of those positions start the first week in April. Or search ohayosensei.com and apply to schools seeking immediate candidates (keeping in mind which ones will sponsor a visa, of course). In any event, a trip to Korea wouldn't be necessary.

[travellingwillbury]

Hi again,

To clarify. I am looking for jobs in Korea and Japan. I have a letter that says I graduated but I wont receive the real McCoy until May. Therefore I am trying to figure my best bet in which country will give me the document and how i go about doing it. i called the Korean consulate in Montreal today and the woman sounded doubtful about whether or not the consulate would notarize my letter. As I mentioned waiting till May to get a JOB is not a attractive option as im unemployed and collecting debt- and i definately cannot afford a flight to Asia to look for a job while there. Hope this clarifies and any additional info would be great.