Getting a Working Visa for Japan
by spinshellWith its high standard of living, unique job opportunities, and fascinating culture, Japan has a strong appeal for those wanting to live overseas.
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The current statistics reflect this immigration trend. Over 1.5 million foreigners live in Japan, 16% of which reside in Tokyo. Between the year 2000 and 2005 the country’s foreign population increased by 18.7% and this population movement looks set to continue.
But it’s not just as easy as hoping on a plane and finding a job upon arrival. First off you’ll have to look at your visa options.
Japan offers a number of visas, which fall under seven different categories. But only four of these categories – special, diplomatic, official, and work visa – actually allow you to work while here. The work visa is a common option and there are 14 different types available ranging from options for professors through to entertainers.
These visas can be applied for at the Japan Embassy in a person’s home country or upon arrival here. If you have employment lined up your employer should do this on your behalf before you get here.
To apply you will need to fill out a Certificate of Eligibility form, which can be downloaded from Japan’s Ministry of Justice website (www.immi-moj.go.jp).
With your application you’ll need to supply a CV, original college diploma, employment agreement, and a passport photo. The company will also have to include their official registration form, a recent profit and loss statement and some company literature, as well as an envelope addressed to your new employer with stamp affixed. The documents can vary a little with each visa and the immigration website has a comprehensive breakdown of what is needed for each visa type.
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Original college diploma,
- Employment agreement (with specific details including salary, contract length)
- Passport photo.
- The company’s official registration form (Tokibo Tohon)
- The company’s profit and loss statement (Son-eki Keisansho)
If you’re in Japan applications are filed at The Tokyo Regional Immigration Bureau, a short bus ride from Shinagawa station. Be early if you want to avoid the queues here. The action starts at 9:00am and if you arrive just after you may already have a hundred people ahead of you. Also bring something to read as most people typically wait a few hours here.
After the application is filed you’ll have to play the waiting game for the next one to three months as there is no way you can speed the visa application up. There are, however, services that help make the whole process a lot easier.
Bernhard Michio Flasar, Account Manager at Nakai Immigration Services:
“We give advice what type of visa they should apply for…they don’t have to go to immigration at anytime…save a lot of time and hassle.”
“We file visa applications…all types of visa categories.”
“We not only file applications in Tokyo…Osaka, Nagoya…relocating from overseas to Osaka we can file this application.”
Nakai Immigration has been in operation for 16 years and typically files 5 to 10 applications a day. They can also help when your visa is denied and determine whether you should apply again under a different visa category. Although there are some denials, in 98% of the cases the visa is approved, says Bernhard.
If your main purpose of visiting is to just see the sights and to pick up some part-time work along the way you may consider a working holiday visa. Japan currently has one-year working holiday agreements with Korea, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, France, Denmark, The United Kingdom and Canada.
Story by Karryn Cartelle
All Rights Reserved, Spinshell Inc.
Spinshell Reports are three minute episodes of useful information about visiting and living in Japan.
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Tags: immigration, immigration office, japan, japan immigration, japanese visa, law, marriage visa, nakai, passport, visa, working, working visa
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:31
[...] Getting a Working Visa for Japan (tags: japan working visa) [...]
July 22nd, 2008 at 17:28
From collected anecdotes and some personal experience I can give the following general advise:
And last but not least:
August 4th, 2008 at 23:46
I am interested in tourist visa i and my fiancee, and we are both working, i am a business man and my fiancee is a teacher, we will like to know which is the fastest and the easiest way of getting a japanese visa and which class of visa is the most suitable. we are ready to pay for your job if for any reason our visa is granted.
August 5th, 2008 at 16:41
Thanks for watching Olonade. Getting a tourist visa to a foreign country depends on your nationality and the rules of your country. Perhaps the fastest way to find out is to call your nearest Japan embassy. Best of luck to you.
June 30th, 2009 at 02:04
I like to work in japan
December 24th, 2009 at 00:13
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January 25th, 2010 at 22:58
please can you help me get a tourist visa to japan
January 25th, 2010 at 23:04
please can u help me get a tourist visa to japan………..am a nigerian
February 8th, 2010 at 13:43
Too many Nigerians came here on tourist visa’s and never left, so now the Japanese government is very strict. The police will constantly check your ID on the street. Not worth your time IMHO.
February 10th, 2010 at 14:16
Work From Home ……
It amazes me how many dads miss these opportunities ……
March 9th, 2010 at 12:24
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