Need help with Visas
 

Okay, so I'm sure this has been asked a thousand times here, but I've searched the forum and I can't find any results D:

I'm a senior in High School, and I plan on moving to Japan shortly after I graduate. (I've lived in Japan for four years when I was about 6, So I know what I'm getting myself into) But what's confusing me is this whole Visa thing. I want to work in Japan. So I guess that means I need a workers visa? I've looked this up on Google, but it just confuses me.

Can someone tell me everything I need to do to obtain a workers visa? Also, do I find work before I move? Like, what is the process.

Thanks.

For a working visa, the two main points (and the most important) are:

1. You must hold a four-year bachelor's degree from an accredited university.
2. You must be hired by a company first, who will then sponsor your visa.

There are no exceptions here. The only exception is the Working Holiday Visa, which is only available to nationals from Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Korea, New Zealand, Ireland and UK.

Would it be easier to just to go college in Japan then? If so, could you (or anyone) give me some info about that?

That depends. You need to be fluent (and I mean completely fluent) in Japanese to attend university. It can take 3 or 4 years of serious study to attain that kind of fluency, so you might be better off just attending university in your home country and take Japanese classes there. If you're really yearning to get to Japan and live there for awhile, you can take a year-long study abroad trip while you're attending university (which is what I did).

There are a small amount of universities in Japan that do have an English curriculum (and by small amount, I mean about two or three). However, they're private schools, and they're very expensive.

Tell me more about this study abroad. But I want to say longer than just one year. Like I said, I want to settle down there, and get a job.

What is your nationality? Can you qualify for a descendant's visa, ie are you half Japanese? Do you have any needed skills such as engineering or networking?

No, I'm full-blooded American. And I definitely don't have any skills in engineering, but I'm taking a crap load of computer classes. And I have the highest Computer Skills grade in my school, so I'm not sure if that's what you mean by networking?

I just need to know how to GET to Japan first of all. I'll work anywhere really.

Then you'll need a 4 year university degree. After which you'll have to find a Japanese company willing to hire you despite not knowing the language or culture as fluently as a native Japanese person, and willing to go through the trouble of sponsoring your visa. In order for a company to do all that, you'd better have some amazing skills (in addition to speaking, reading, and writing in Japanese) that they simply can't find in any Japanese applicants applying for the same job.

Either that, or marry a Japanese citizen, or teach English. Those are pretty much your only choices. Japan is very selective about allowing foreigners to go and live and work there.

The only way you can live in Japan for any period of time before graduation from college would be on an exchange program. Other than that, graduate from college (or at least get close) and start applying.

Japan is a lot more fun when are you getting paid, not paying to be there.

alanX, somehow I very much doubt you have any idea what you are getting yourself into. My advice is to go to Japan as a university student and spend you student life there. It will be the best time of your life. But for that you will at least need JLPT 2, if not JLPT 1 so start studying.

With your current skills, you have 0 chance of getting anywhere in Japananese society especially language skills. In fact your social standing will be around the same as illegal mexican immigrants that cross the USA border every year (no language skills, no practical skills that are in demand). It might sound harsh but from your posts, it is clear you are very naive.

I suggest you check out MMM's "I don't want to live in Japan" thread first.

Japan's GDP is plunging at a rate of -12% a year, Japanese people are having trouble finding jobs, Japan's economy is practically under seige right now and they have no room for baggage. It isn't exactly Anime happyville at the moment or whatever imaginery ideas you have about Japan.

but he lived there for 4 years. so he must know something?

Your absolute best course of action:

1. Get into the best US university that you can. I can't emphasize the US part enough. In a worldwide survey of schools, the US still leads globally in university education. Do a semester or two abroad and don't simply stick to Japan. Pick China or somewhere in Europe.
2. For your major you will either want something like global finance/business, mechanical or structural engineering, or programming/networking.
3. Go for the best internship you can and graduate with all the honors you can achieve.
4. Get a job here doing something like engineering. If you do it right, you will be making 60,000 USD a year or more right out of school.

If none of the above sounds appealing, do your four years studying whatever and teach English.

Well he hasn't worked in Japan yet so he hasn't really tasted what Japanese society is really like.

Yeah, you could try that. Show up at immigration, "I've lived here four years when I was a kid. I know things." Write that on your visa application and please let us all know how it works out for you.

I know Japan's current situation. And I have read MMM's thread, actually made a few posts in it a few weeks ago. I completely understand what you're saying. However, I know all of this. I'm basically conversational in Japanese. So language is not an issue.

You said "go to Japan as a university student." Okay, well that is exactly what I need to know how to do. So every bit of help is appreciated.

how could you live in a place for 4 years and not know how the society is like there?!

It could be that at that time he/she was 6 years old. I know a few kids that age. They believe me when I say things like, "Yeah, I am from America. Barack Obama and I are best friends. Talked to him on the phone last night as a matter of fact."

Don't really know what you're trying to get at? Nor do I care. I'm just going to end this little cat brawl, I'm just looking for some help guys. All the answers so far are really appreciated! Let's keep em' coming. ^_^

i actually found a website that shown all the work visas you can get but i forgot what the website was.....sorry...

i think it is the sixth time i post this link.
MOFA: Visa

i googled "visa" and "japan". first link is the above.
no offence to u kenpachi, since u r not the one asking all the questions.

yes that is it! thank you.

This site tells me this:

* Is a visa necessary to enter Japan?
* I have some questions about my visa application. Who should I ask?
* How can I learn the status of the visa for which I have applied?
* How to use the Visa Telephone Service number:
* I would like to bring plants/animals into Japan. Where can I obtain information on quarantines?
* I want to bring some souvenir such as a few bottles of wine into Japan. Where can I find information on customs regulations?
* I am currently living in Japan and have some questions concerning the eligibility of my stay. Who should I ask?

None of which are questions I need answers too. I ASKED THE QUICKEST PROCEDURE OF OBTAINING A VISA, AND THE REQUIREMENTS. Not "Am I allowed to bring plans with me"

Well you asked for it.

独立行政法人日本学生支援機構-JASSO

You should get all the information you need from here. Click on the English link if you need to. In the mean time, I'd find a Japanese class fast and aim for JLPT 1.

I know a few friends who have chosen this path, it goes something like study Japanese --> get accepted by a Japanese university --> study more Japanese in Japan --> pass JLPT 1 --> start the semester in Japanese university.

Thank you very much my friend. I like the little "You can click on the English link if you need to" part. That was pretty cute :mtongue:

dear alanx

following the link i posted you will find info such as "application procedures before entry" with subcategories such as "Visa Applications". i don't know what you are referring to.

now i can't say that i am an expert on japan as i am not even an expert of my native country although having spent 25 years there. however in my experience manners and a certain humbleness towards things you don't know too much about will get you rather far. especially in dealings with immigration regardless of country.

1) Getting hired by a Japanese company willing to sponsor you.

2) To do that, graduate from college and pass their hiring procedure.

Don't understand what blimp is talking about.

But I have to go to New York to apply for a visa? Or at immigration office? Good God, this is confusing. I wish someone would just tell me the step-by-step proces so I can be done with all of this confusion.

http://www.jasso.go.jp/study_j/docum..._04_e_2008.pdf

Geesh if you can't even do these kind of basic research yourself in ENGLISH, what chance do you have in hell to get ANYWHERE in Japan. :rolleyes:

Do you know the Japanese word 厚顔無恥（こうがんむち）. You might hear a lot of that when you do get to Japan.

The EJU through JASSO is most likely on the same level of Japanese ability as the JLPT 1. This is as much as I can discern from glancing over practice books and past exams.

You wouldn't be far off. It's no stroll in the park that's for sure. You are sitting duck in Japan if you can't communicate... unless you are loaded with money and just there to spend money endlessly.

I've seen that page 1000 times, it doesn't answer my question. This basically tells me who to send my documents to, it doesn't tell me HOW TO OBTAIN THEM.

Yeah, basically you will need to come to Japan for the test. The application can be found at bookstores. For outside of Japan they don't have any links highlighted for the Americas, but maybe that is just dependent upon the time of year.

Sweet, three hours of asking and still no answers.

The very first reply answered your query. You have got to understand how frustrating it is for people who have seen posts just like your's over and over again. The answer is always the same.

No, this says "find a company to sponsor your visa."

This doesn't tell me how to get a work visa.

Get yourself educated enough first so that a Japanese company actually would go through the trouble to invite you to Japan and sponsor you a Visa. Are you thick or something?

Visas are not like hamburgers, that you just buy from a fast food place. The Japanese government would not give you a Visa out of the kindness of their hearts. They will only issue one if you are being sponsored by a company, you are studying and sponsored by a university or you are seeking refugee status.

Of course there is always option B involving marrying a Japanese national. Good luck with that.

You get a visa by getting a job. You get the job by going to college. You go to college in Japan by taking the entrance exam or studying abroad from your home university.

If you want to, buy a roundtrip ticket to Japan. They will give you a three month visa on landing, no application needed for Americans. Stay as long as you like, illegally if you must. If you can find a job with a company that will give you a work visa, sweet.

Okay so what you're saying to me is call up a Japanese business, and in a nutshell say "Will you sponsor me?"

Okay, that makes no sense.

I'm about to like, punch myself in the face right now.

WOW OH MY FRIGGIN GOD.

It took like three hours for somewhat of a decent answer.

Well YES. That's how it works if you want a work visa. What did you expect?

Of course you will also say I have these skills.... and they will neither tell you to get stuffed or come to Japan and work for us.