Tourist Visa to Working Visa

[disclosed_axis]

So I've been looking to go out to Japan for quite some time now. I will graduate from my university in December (a semester late) and was planning on moving out to Tokyo by the end of December before the start of the new year, or sometime in January. I plan on doing the eikaiwa or ALT route, but I have a few questions mainly dealing with issues about visas and how to go about applying for these positions. I'd appreciate any input from you guys.

1. Realistically, is it possible to find a teaching job on a 3 month tourist visa?

2. I know coming to Japan on a tourist visa with the intent of looking for employment is not ok with Japanese immigration. Does that mean companies that offer to sponsor you do not care about your current visa status? It seems kind of risky albeit the job postings that don't require you to either already have a working visa or currently reside in Japan are few and far between. I really don't know how to get around that besides going with the JET Programme or applying online overseas. Should I really not worry about the visa thing? It seems that it is rather common practice. I'm just being cautious.

2.1 Also, when should I start applying online for eikaiwa positions? Some (specifically Amity) allow me to tell them when I will graduate on their application so I figure doing so early might help me get an earlier departure date--if I get selected. But too early and they might not even look at it.

3. After securing a guarantor (from within Japan), I know I have to leave the country before I can receive my working visa, but what exactly do I have to do once I leave and how long would I expect to wait until I could return on my working visa and begin working? Will my employer tell me what I have to do?

4. What other ways should I go about submitting my resume besides on here? I figure that not every open position is posted on here, especially for such a big city like Tokyo. But I don't suppose waltzing right in to every eikaiwa in the local area trying seek employment would fly too well.

I have things lined up like a friend to stay with while I search for a job within Japan so I'm taken care of on that end. Anything else I should consider? I know right now is not the best time to be looking for a job with the economy as bad as it is, but still I plan on trying.

Thank you.

[Glenski]

Originally Posted by disclosed_axis

1. Realistically, is it possible to find a teaching job on a 3 month tourist visa?

Yes, but December is the worst time of year to do so.

2. I know coming to Japan on a tourist visa with the intent of looking for employment is not ok with Japanese immigration. Does that mean companies that offer to sponsor you do not care about your current visa status?

No, it means that you simply should not tell immigration or customs that you are here to job hunt. Employers will either sponsor or not sponsor work visas. They may not know all the ins and outs of the visa process, but they are usually not so stupid as to ignore the fact that their foreign employees need appropriate visas.

It seems kind of risky albeit the job postings that don't require you to either already have a working visa or currently reside in Japan are few and far between. I really don't know how to get around that besides going with the JET Programme or applying online overseas.

Few? Couldn't tell you, as I have not looked at ads for newbie slots in a while, but I can tell you the jobs are definitely competitive! I would have to say, though, that by coming here, the number of positions available is larger than the ones you could get by sitting at home. You'll just have to support yourself for 1-3 months before the first paycheck comes in.

Should I really not worry about the visa thing? It seems that it is rather common practice. I'm just being cautious.

If you are eligible for a work visa, don't worry about getting it. Worry about getting hired instead.

2.1 Also, when should I start applying online for eikaiwa positions? Some (specifically Amity) allow me to tell them when I will graduate on their application so I figure doing so early might help me get an earlier departure date--if I get selected. But too early and they might not even look at it.

Places that hire from abroad will tell you that the visa process takes about 2-8 weeks. Immigration cannot narrow it down better than that. Employers also have their own timelines and they usually realize that it will take 1-3 months for foreigners to clean up their affairs at home before shipping out to come here. So, plan on applying 1-3 months in advance, whenever you feel you can move, and keep the timelines above in mind.

3. After securing a guarantor (from within Japan), I know I have to leave the country before I can receive my working visa

No you don't! I wish people would stop saying that. Such a regulation changed a few years ago! You have outdated information.

4. What other ways should I go about submitting my resume besides on here?

Do your research. There are tons of sites that offer ads, and they are mentioned dozens of times on this and other sites. Read the link on the first page of GP for one source. Read the FAQ stickies on the Japan forum of www.eslcafe.com/discussion for more.

I have things lined up like a friend to stay with while I search for a job within Japan so I'm taken care of on that end. Anything else I should consider?

If you have no background/education/experience in teaching EFL, learn some. Many employers will "train" you in what they want you to do, but it's minimally pitiful (pitifully minimal?). Also, with the flooded market, it might pay to have some edge. You might also feel more comfortable in a classroom, and some employers actually want to see a demo lesson of 5-15 minutes during the interview.

Also, think of what area of Japan you might want/not want. What climate? City or countryside? Kids as students, or not? And, know how to answer the all-important and popular questions of interviews (starting with, Why Japan?).

[disclosed_axis]

This was more help than I ever expected, especially from one person. Thank you very much.

Originally Posted by Glenski

No you don't! I wish people would stop saying that. Such a regulation changed a few years ago! You have outdated information.

I actually read about having to leave the country and come back in order to change visas on elscafe.com's Japan forum in a sticky. It was last updated in 2007 so it seems outdated. Any way, I should start looking for that. Thanks again.

[rilakkuma]

Originally Posted by disclosed_axis

This was more help than I ever expected, especially from one person. Thank you very much.

I actually read about having to leave the country and come back in order to change visas on elscafe.com's Japan forum in a sticky. It was last updated in 2007 so it seems outdated. Any way, I should start looking for that. Thanks again.

I've heard the same thing also. Japan's visa process is very very unstable. I'd like to know also if this is true or not.
I JUST got off the phone with the people who process visas in osaka, and they were constantely telling me the same thing, that I must live japan when my tourist visa expires, even though I have applied for the working visa. But, like I said, No one really seems to know what they're doing in the immigration office (which is quite scary). I dont wanna waste money that I dont already have by taking a wasteful trip to korea (although their baskin robbins is superior to Japan's).

if anyone could point out some definite links pointing out this, it'd be very helpful