Job Discussion Forums

[feebleweiner]

Okay the last time I posted on here for some help I was in a situation where my CoE was sent via snail mail and it came too late for me to start working. We redid the process and now it's ready but according to them they've been trying to send it via courier but it always comes back.

So they suggest I come to Japan as a tourist, pick up my COE there and then get my work visa in Japan.

Now look, I'm not a master of immigration/visa situations.

I am asking you guys for advice on what I should do. Should I go along with this suggestion? I thought you weren't supposed to do it this way.

I don't want to get in trouble, i'm not wanting to cause me to get booted out of Japan for life, I'm not trying to do anything illegal. I'm a goody two shoes so I want to do things in a legit way.

What do you guys think?

I'm personally starting to think I'm not meant to go to Japan...sigh. Trying not to get discouraged but I don't know...

Thanks much, feeble

[seklarwia]

It is not completely unusual for an employer to want to do things that way round. Some employers don't want to send the COE because they are afraid that the person might do a runner once they get their visa and leaving them in the lurch.

[Glenski]

I agree with seklarwia. What "courier" failed to deliver something? And, why exactly was that? Incorrect mailing address would be about the only reason I would accept.

Come here if they have already promised that you have a COE waiting. Just don't tell immigration or customs when you land. No big deal thereafter.

But be on your toes if the employer starts telling you another line after you get here (like, "Oh, we really didn't have the COE in our hands when we contacted you, but we expect it any day now.")

[feebleweiner]

Well I can somewhat believe them because I got the first COE I just got it late. It was explained the first time that they tried sending it to me via a courier and that they had troubles with it which is why they ended up sending it snail mail.

I live in a remote never heard of island in the Caribbean so I can almost believe them. The fact that I did get the first COE even though it was two months too late gives me a little faith.

I do believe they have the COE.

I just want to know if it's possible to get the work visa within Japan. If I go through with it I've already made up my mind to just enjoy a vacation if they start saying stuff like you gotta wait any day now type of stuff. The country I live in is famous for doing this to workers and I have seen what it can do.

So what do you guys think? Now that I've cleared some things up, like I did actually get the COE the first time but just too late to start working...do you think I should go for it?

And is it 100% possible to get the work visa within japan?

[fluffyhamster]

As you eventually received the first COE, then sure, go for it - the employer must be pretty keen to employ you to have gone to so much trouble as to try sending a second COE! And it's not like any other employer (not that there are that many willing to sponsor overseas applicants and obtain COEs for them, as you probably know and appreciate!) is going to have much better luck in getting a COE to you where you are currently located. But if funds are tight and you can't take any risks regarding possible delays* in commencing fully-legit/legal employment (and securing accomodation etc) once in Japan, then perhaps try getting the/a COE sent again (perhaps to a friend relative who lives in a place with more dependable delivery infratructure? Who you could then quickly visit and collect it from? Perhaps on the way to Japan?). At the very least, give the courier a rocket, because there really is no excusing their local workers skiving (or whatever it is they must be up to!).

*These would as Glenski said be more due to the (or rather, an) employer dragging their feet, or being incompetent, or outright lying, than to any impossibility (which there isn't nowadays) in getting permission to work after applying from within Japan (to answer your last, partly-bolded question!). And if you do just enter as a tourist (and perhaps needing sufficient funds for the duration of your stay, and a return/outward-bound ticket etc - you'll have to check on these things yourself and "play it by ear" I guess), don't (as Glenski also said) inform the Immigration staff at the airport that the purpose of your visit is to find work - they may not appreciate that you of course mean(t) by applying though the proper channels first, rather than working without permission and thus illegally! But ultimately the ideal is to land and enter Japan with a COE in hand, because it more or less assures that entry and that there actually is a job waiting (or that you'll be able to quickly find another employer if there isn't).

[Glenski]

[feebleweiner]

hey everyone, i have great news: my COE is on it's way, i have a tracking number, it's almost here and i'm glad that i can do things the "normal" way. i'm just praying it actually reaches. with everything that has happened to me so far i wouldn't be surprised if it sprouted legs and ran away.

thanks everyone who gave me excellent advice. i'm sure when i get in japan i'll be posting another question or two, lol.

trying to keep a positive vibe cause i know i'm just one in a million who wants to come to japan.

much thanks, feeble