Job Discussion Forums

[Asher]

I'm slated to leave on April 4th, but because of upcoming projects at my current job and a desire to have a few weeks to make final arrangements, I'd like to give notice as soon as possible.

However, I'm still waiting (and will likely be waiting a few weeks longer) for my Certificate of Eligibility. I may not receive that until a couple of weeks before my flight leaves.

Once I do give notice, it's likely that the position will be closed and I'll have nothing to return to if something goes wrong at this stage. Is the CoE paperwork really just a formality, or would it be unwise to give notice before receiving it?

Every situation is different, of course, but I just wanted to get some general advice.

[fluffyhamster]

<Oops>

[Asher]

I apologize...I think I was not specific enough in regards to my current situation.

This will be my first teaching opportunity and I'm currently employed in a non-teaching job in the United States. My CoE paperwork was sent off to Japan by my future employer on the 5th of January. I was told it would take 1-3 months to actually get the CoE which I would take to the consulate in Houston for the actual Visa.

I was hoping to have all my ducks in a row before leaving my current position, but it's a very real possibility that the CoE won't arrive until mid-March. I'll need to give two weeks notice at a minimum and I'd rather not try to finish several projects while at the same time preparing to move to Japan. I'd really like to give notice this week, as it would make the transition easier for me and my co-workers, as they will have to take on my deadlines.

I'm not aware of any reasons why a CoE would not be issued at this point, but just wanted to know if it was a real possibility that this could all fall apart at this point in the process.

Thank you!

[fluffyhamster]

Oops I did rather misread your post and situation a bit didn't I, Asher! (Was being distracted by my pesky three-legged cat). So it should really be me who is apologizing!

Hmm, there isn't usually a problem with receiving COEs (provided the employer is legit and has actually applied for one!), so all you need to do really is ascertain/ensure that it will definitely be sent via courier by the employer...and if it did somehow fail to materialize, I'd imagine that you could still go over to Japan and get working soon enough, because surely Immigration would be able to expedite a second application for permission to work from having records of the first (that, or they'd probably be able to issue a replacement COE pronto if you had to or preferred to wait for it in the US...and it wouldn't be like the employer could get anybody else [at least not anyone also recruited fresh from outside Japan] working legally any quicker, would it).

Anyway, that's a lot of ifs and buts, when generally there isn't much reason to worry about this stuff really. So sure, hand in sufficient notice at your current job that you have the time to leisurely prepare for your departure for Japan.

[Asher]

Thank you for the reply.

[Asher]

Well, I spoke with my future employer and they don't seem to be concerned, so I'll put in my notice tomorrow or Friday. It's just a little bit unnerving dropping a job I can't get back in this economy. But I might as well get used to a little uncertainly at this point, I suppose.

[mstoffer]

You should feel confident about getting your CoE. I told my former employer weeks before my CoE came and it wasn't a problem.

[Asher]

Thank you for the reply. I gave notice last Thursday after work and happily got a notice that my COE was on its way to me Friday afternoon. I should get it next week.