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Visa & immigration in Japan
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To get a
work visa, a foreigner must show proof of a prearranged job in
Japan and provide the name of a Japanese guarantor. A
guarantor is essentially a person (usually an employer)
willing to accept responsibility for your behavior while
you're in Japan. The guarantor is responsible for paying for a
gaijin's return ticket home if he or she is in trouble.
Understandably, taking on this type of responsibility without
first meeting the prospective teacher makes most employers
nervous. Herein lies the paradox: English teachers need jobs
and guarantors to get work visas, but first they need visas to
enter Japan and find jobs. |
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The first step in obtaining a work visa is for your sponsor or
guarantor to obtain a "Certificate of Eligibility" on your
behalf. The guarantor can be your employer, a school, a
relative, etc. The guarantor must contact the local immigration
office in Japan in order to apply for your certificate. Once you
have the completed certificate, you can then apply for a visa at
the Japanese embassy or consulate nearest you. When applying for
a work visa, submit your valid passport, one 2" x 2" photo, a
completed visa application form, the original Certificate of
Eligibility, and one additional copy of the certificate. There
is no fee for the visa and it will usually take two business
days to process. Note that a B.A. or B.S. degree is the minimum
qualification required to teach legally in Japan. An instructor
category working visa is good for six months to one year;
however, if you wish to stay in Japan for longer than the time
allotted and can provide evidence of your continuing employment,
you can apply for an extension through the Japanese Immigration
Bureau. If you have a solid work record and reputation, you
should be able to legally extend your stay from within the
country without mishap. The Japanese Immigration Bureau can be
reached at:
General Affairs Division
Japanese Immigration Bureau
Ministry of Justice
1-1-1 Kasumigaseki
Chiyoda-ku
Tokyo, Japan
(03) 3580-4111 |
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