Job Discussion Forums

Kano · Joined: 25 Apr 2004 Posts: 6 Location: Yamagata

So what if I were to arrive in Japan on a working holiday visa... and having flown one-way? Is that forbidden by customs? If so, is it enforced?

Someone said I should expect them to check carefully at Narita. I don't want to do anything illegal, of course.

Kano · Joined: 25 Apr 2004 Posts: 6 Location: Yamagata

so how long does it take the government to process a COE application?

my employer - for a job starting may 26th - dropped a bombshell today. she says that she talked to immigration and suddenly discovered that it would take around 2 months to process a work visa (i guess technically she means a COE?), but in her past experience it had taken 2 weeks.

is this true? does that seem like a realistic timeframe?

i sent the stuff for the visa application about 3-4 weeks ago, can't remember exactly.

and she's asking me to fly in on a working holiday visa and switch to a work visa later, which means of course that i will need to have a return ticket...

icollin · Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Posts: 39

You need a return ticket if you fly to Japan on a WHV. Here are the conditions (I took this on the Japanese embassy website)
http://www.ca.emb-japan.go.jp/AboutJapan/Travel/visa-2.htm#whvisa
Must be a Canadian citizen currently residing in Canada;
Intend primarily to holiday in Japan for a specific period of time;
Be between 18 and 30 years of age at the time of application;
Possess a valid Canadian passport and a return travel ticket;
Possess reasonable funds for their maintenance, including medical expenses, during the period of initial stay in Japan;
Be in good health and not have a criminal record.

I am not too sure how long it takes for the Working Visa, since I was on a WHV, so I won't answer that.

PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan

shmooj · Joined: 11 Sep 2003 Posts: 1758 Location: Seoul, ROK

I have no idea where she got the figure of 2 weeks for this. Shocked

What she says about 2 months is accurate. May 26th is a no go. I guess you have your flight booked and I would choose two plans of action
1. She welcomes you on a tourist visa and you come on a return ticket. SHe provides you with food, expenses and accommodation etc for the time you are here on a tourist visa so that you are not officially working. You work for her as a "volunteer" until your COE comes through.
2. She agrees to pay the costs of cancelling and rebooking your flight for something more realistic like the end of June. You sit tight and enjoy some extended time where you are now.

Other than that I can't suggest anything... Confused