The following are some readers' comments. You can also read the full article:
Work visa process.
Updated 8 July 2005
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Kaye: Ask your local Japanese embassy. I don’t even know exactly what a long-term resident visa is. Do you?
If I applied for a working visa in Japan, about how long would it take assuming I not only had paperwork from the office but also a Japanese resident sponsoring me? My case is strange in that I’m too young to have a 4-year degree but I have the necessary qualifications for the job. I just don’t want to be stuck in Tokyo for months waiting with no source of income, and I don’t want to have to leave and then return. Also, where can I find a place in Tokyo that issues visas with an English-speaking staff? Thanks for your help
Andrew: When I applied for my visa, they said it would take about six weeks, and so it did. I don’t know if your circumstances will shorten or lengthen this time. As for English… the immigration office didn’t seem to have much in the way of English speakers, and they are the only people who issue visas as far as I know. Try getting a Japanese speaker (say, from your work) to go with you.
I STUDIED JAPANESE LANGUAGE IN JAPAN, & I HAVE PASSED THE LEVEL 3 ( SAN KIU ) EXAMINATION, NOW I CAME BACK TO MY COUNTRY, I LIKE TO GET A WORKING VISA, COULD YOU HELP ME !!!!!!!!!
MY-EMAIL : rozmimj@yahoo.com
Hai,
i applied visit visa to japan and just approved.But my intention is to work in Japan and please give me some idea how to find job in japan,i don,t have any digree or diploma my experince is just retail line.is it easy to find job in japan?is it possiable to get working visa? And what is the chances to extend my visa,i have three months visit visa right now.i am realy disappointed because some of my friend said it is realy hard to find job in japan,and i thought may be they don,t know about the job because they are doing business in japan.Now iam thinking if hard to find job then i don,t want to spoil my money.please tel me what should i do i already confuse myself.I already did shoping buy many thing to vist japan but when i know hard to get job then i regret.I will be thankful to you if you answer my question.Thanks alot
Ali baba: If you are a foreigner, it is not easy to find a job in Japan.
In order to hire you legally, an employer has to sponsor your work visa. This is inconvenient for them, so they will only do it if you have special skills that they need. For example, if you are a native English speaker, or have very good IT skills, or something like that. It doesn’t sound as if you are in this category. It is easier for an employer to hire a local Japanese person who speaks, reads and writes Japanese and is familiar with the local area and culture.
Finding a job in another country is generally difficult. It’s especially hard in Japan because of the difficult language and strict immigration laws. Don’t just go there and expect to find something — it will be difficult! You should do more research before getting on the plane. Try to have some idea of where you want to live, what sort of work you want to do and where you will look. And no matter how well-prepared you are, you may still be disappointed.
Finally, are you sure you want to live in Japan? Have you been there before? If you go there and hate it, then this will all be a lot of wasted effort.
Hi–Just want to know if there are age restrictions on teachers. Am 33 year old kiwi, but will be 35 by the time i get a TESOL graduate diploma?
Dion: There are generally no age restrictions for ordinary visas like the “Instructor” visa you’ll probably need as a teacher. You might as well check with potential employers to see what kind of visa they would sponsor you for.
Hello, I appreciate your info.
I am currently performing in Japan on a work visa from the USA. A friend has come to visit me for the time I am here.
My friend is on tourist visa. I now am wondering if I can hire my friend with my production. The company I am working for has okayed this, and even processed a certificate of elgibility for him.
How can my friend get a work visa without leaving Japan?
We are in Hokkaido now.
Thanks for your help!
William
William, when I got my visa I just went to the Immigration Bureau and did it all there. After filling in the forms and so on, I went away; they sent me a postcard after a few weeks and I went back in to get my visa.
I don’t think a certificate of eligibility was involved in my procedure; at least I didn’t get any documents that looked like a normal certificate of eligibility. Your best bet is to contact the Immigration Information Center and ask them what the possibilities are. Unfortunately the procedures are alwasy somewhat mysterious; even the HR person at my work didn’t have all the answers, and she had done the visa application for several other employees before me.
William, I forgot to mention that you could also try calling your local Regional Immigration Bureau. That would be the Sapporo Regional Immigration Bureau, phone (011) 261 7502. I don’t think they provide English language assistance, but you might be lucky (or you might speak Japanese!).
Bennett,
Thanks for your help. We have just returned from the Sapporo Immigration office. To change status, all we did was fill out an application for change of status in the office and pay 4,000YEN. We already had a certificate of elgibilty, and through their broken English, I think you need that first.
About 15 minutes’ wait later, we had a new work visa.
Thanks so much for your help!
William
If I move to Japan on a tourist visa and immediately get a job once I am there, would it be safe to say that I’d be able to get my work visa within the 90 day period so that I don’t have to leave Japan? I do not have a 4 year degree, so I understand that the process may take a bit longer for me that for someone that did have a bachelors.
William, that’s great news about your friend — thanks for sharing it. It’s good to see a happy ending!
Cheryl, the simple answer is no. There is never any guarantee that you will be granted a work visa at all, even if you have a job offer from a company wishing to sponsor you. In most cases you probably will get Immigration’s decision within the 90 days — but that decision might be “visa declined”.
I have heard that if you apply for a work visa, you may also obtain permission to stay in Japan until your work visa application is processed. You will need to confirm that when you apply.
I have a friend in Japan who is finding me an employer to work as a nanny. What are the requirements do I have to bring?, what are needed by my future employer to sponsor me?, Please tell me what I need to know. Thank you very much. Keep up the good work.
Applying for a work visa is almost like applying for a job: you need to bring proof of all your qualifications to support your application. That’s all really, since it’s your employers who sponsor your visa appplication. You should talk to them and find out if they need anything else from you to support the visa application.
I am a software professional with over 4years of experience. Am planning to join my husband who is working in Japan. I would be coming on a dependent visa. What and how good are the chances and possibility of me landing up in a job in Japan?Please advise.
Hi.I am an Australian working musician/singer.I would like to work in Japan.Do you have any advice?I’m 33 years old.Thanks.
SS, I think that there is already a lot of information on this website to help you. Please have a look araound the various sections. Stuart, I don’t know if I can really help much because I don’t know the performing arts scene in Japan (other than occasionally seeing a band). Your best bet would probably be to get in touch with other foreign musicians in Japan — and the best way to do that is probably to go there for a visit.