Job Discussion Forums

gittelbug · Joined: 08 Feb 2010 Posts: 43

Hey guys,
I'm applying for a few teaching jobs and one of them is Gaba. On the phone they insisted I needed my original college diploma in order to obtain a visa. I've had an instructor visa before and I know for a fact I did not give the people I worked for my original but a photocopy. I told Gaba I couldn't get the original but then the recruiter insisted I needed 3 official transcripts and the copy of my diploma wouldn't be any good. Am I missing something here? This seems kinda shady. I was under the impression my original diploma wasn't needed.

Tsian · Joined: 10 Jan 2012 Posts: 85

Immigration is usually quite happy to accept a copy (after all, they want to keep it!).

It's not shady, so much as probably misinformed... and it is quite common in Japan to submit official proof of graduation (produced by your university) along with transcripts.

gittelbug · Joined: 08 Feb 2010 Posts: 43

I haven't been able to find anything on this online other than forums .Nothing official... But other job I interviewed with today also stated I needed the original. I have no idea where the original is.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Explain it as simply as that, but get your school to provide a letter confirming your graduation and get those sealed transcripts. It's not that much to ask.

GambateBingBangBOOM · Joined: 04 Nov 2003 Posts: 2021 Location: Japan

You will probably need it in Japan, so you had better find it. Don't mail the original anywhere. It is pretty common to ask to see the original in interviews in Japan and then they go photocopy it (but it's better to just scan it so you can attach it to applications that you email it- and then bring the original to the interview).

In Japan there are more than a few people who think that the piece of paper IS the degree and therefore not having that piece of paper means that you don't actually have the degree any more. It's kind of ridiculous, but it's the way it is.

gittelbug · Joined: 08 Feb 2010 Posts: 43

OK thanks for the info. I had been under the impression the original wasn't needed at all. I have sealed official transcripts I brought with me (one of the smarter things I've done lol) and of course a photo copy of the original diploma. That should be OK, right? I know a letter from the school shouldn't be a problem to get if I need more proof.

Inflames · Joined: 02 Apr 2006 Posts: 486

You don't need it to get a visa but many schools require it. Nova never required it for my visa (I used transcripts). Gaba had me send it over to get hired (it was September 2007 so it got sent by FedEx's 3 day delivery).