Japan working visa

From Wikivisa

[edit] Questions

I was just wondering how easy it was or whether it is even possible to go to Japan and get a visa once there. I have a teaching post but my boyfriend doesn't and, as a qualified teacher, wants to wait until he gets there to get work. Do you think this is a really bad idea?

Any info would be great,

thanks,

Linda

[edit] Replies

• If he is a qualified teacher with 1-2 years experience in his home country, he should consider applying for international school positions. Without experience, they are likely not to take him, I hear.

Other options are pretty open, but pretty much entry level work despite his teaching license. That means ALT for JET or a dispatch agency, or conversation school (eikaiwa) instructor. Some of those places will hire from abroad, but obviously it will open up more opportunities if he is actually in Japan.

Come at a bad time, and he may waste all of his 90 days on tourist status and go home empty-handed. Coming even at a good time might mean waiting 2-3 months before the first paycheck rolls in, so have enough to support himself. Visa processing itself takes an average of 4-8 weeks.

• Our children are in international school in Yokohama, and all the international schools in the Tokyo and Yokohama area, to my knowledge, are on the European/N. Am. school year, which is late August to mid-June. The Japanese school year starts in April.

I've also worked part time at the school and have seen that some partners do eventually get on with a school but it may take a while for the right position to open up unless the stars are lined up just right. If willing to teach at a different location from your partner, it could be shorter. If you're based in Tokyo, the choices are greater, but the commute could be a bear. I've noticed that if a school is worth its salt it won't hire you just because you are the partner and need a job. They will first do an international search--especially for secondary specialization.