Scheduling job interviews during 2 week stay?

[Chloé]

Firstly, I do apologize for not introducing myself formally on the new members board. I will later on today. I have a few things on my agenda to get out of the way this morning and I would like more information on this topic before I start my research for the day. That said, pleasure to meet you all.

To summarize my dilemma without getting too lengthy on the subject, I am visiting Japan in August, more specifically the end of August to the beginning of September for two weeks. My boyfriend of 10 years has made the decision to have an intra-company transfer to either Dubai, England, Germany, or Japan.

Our purpose of travel is to scope out the area of Tokyo more or less and I would like very much to schedule job interviews during our time, should we decide to finally move there in the coming months.

The true issue here is, I have a full resume of nearly 8 years of marketing, graphic design for print & publishing, as well as administrative manager experience. I have all my jobs through work experience and proven work capability, promotions within the company, etc, without a degree (due to my circumstances I was incapable of attending college). I am aware many are irked at the idea of individuals making such an attempt and lacking a degree, but please stay considerate of my situation without me going in to details of why (I had a very difficult home situation at a young age and started work straight out of highschool).

Is it possible for me to find a job, and acquire my own visa without having to marry him and pair on his visa so to speak? Though I've been told this would be my best option, I personally don't want to force marriage for the sole sake of a visa.

I have been doing research in regards to teaching English as well, since a friend of mine has a wife there who now teaches English without a degree, but she herself is already a citizen of Japan. Additionally, I am aware there are small instances that one can obtain a visa to teach without a Bachelors, by compensating with work experience "in a field" from what I've read, though if this work needs to be "relative" work experience, or just work experience in general I'm not quite sure?

We have a few months, and though I understand conversational Japanese, I don't think I'd be able to make it through jobs that would require business level Japanese conversation or reading comprehensive assignments. I am however a native English speaker, and have been living in New York City the entirety of my life. lol

I have been told by a friend that asian countries are somewhat biased with their hiring of expats however, as I was told those with 'blonde hair, blue eyes, and white skin' are hired over those of asian descent. (I am of mixed descent and therefore an not any of these things lol)

So I'd like to know the realities of such an endeavor, and if I would be able to personally meet with a few companies during my time there?

Thanks!

 

[Glenski]

For non-teaching work, if you don't have a bachelor's degree you will need 10 years of related work experience or a combination of that and any education in your field. So for your marketing field, you seem to be out of luck .

For teaching, it depends which work visa you get, but essentially the same thing applies.
For instructor visa (public schools as an ALT/AET):
(a) The applicant must have graduated from university or acquired an education equivalent thereto, or must hold a license to teach the subject that he/she intends to teach.


(b) When the applicant intends to teach a foreign language, he/she must have acquired an education in said language for at least 12 years. When the applicant is to teach any other subject, he/she must have at least 5 years' teaching experience in that subject.

For the Specialist in Humanities/International Services visa (eikaiwa):
(i) In cases where the applicant intends to engage in duties that require knowledge in the humanities, he/she must have graduated from university or acquired an education equivalent thereto, and majored in a subject pertaining to the knowledge necessary for performing the duties in which he/she intends to engage, or must have at least 10 years' experience (including the period of time spent majoring in the subject related to such knowledge at a university, college of technology (koto senmon gakko), senior high school, during a course of study in the latter part of secondary school (chuto kyoiku gakko), or during a specialized course of study at a vocational school (senshu gakko)).

(ii) In cases where the applicant intends to engage in duties that require ways of thinking or sensibilities that have their foundations in a foreign culture, he/she must fulfill all of the following requirements.

(a) The applicant must engage in translation, interpretation, language instruction, public relations, overseas transactions, fashion or interior design, product development, or other, similar duties.

(b) The applicant must have at least 3 years' experience in the relevant duties; provided, however, that this shall not apply to cases where the applicant who has graduated from university is to engage in translation, interpretation, or language instruction.

See the Immigration Procedures Guidebook for more.

I have been told by a friend that asian countries are somewhat biased with their hiring of expats however, as I was told those with 'blonde hair, blue eyes, and white skin' are hired over those of asian descent.

Biased does not mean it's impossible otherwise. Get qualified and apply.

though I understand conversational Japanese, I don't think I'd be able to make it through jobs that would require business level Japanese conversation or reading comprehensive assignments. I am however a native English speaker, and have been living in New York City the entirety of my life. lol

Your LOL means nothing. Understand that up front. Most non-teaching jobs here will require a fairly high level of Japanese to do business, spoken and written. Get qualified for the visa and seek out positions in some rare foreign branches which don't require so much Japanese.

 

[nekojita]

A note on the dependant visa, if you decide to take that route: you can only work part-time on it.

To be honest, you should get married before you think about living overseas together - it will make a lot of things easier. I say this as a member of the "lived together for ages before finally getting the bit of stupid paper" club.

Plus, you have Dubai on your list, and um... yeah.

The UK may let you in as "partner" if he's on a work visa, presuming you've lived together for 2+ years (not sure if this applies to all visa categories, plus they're probably going to rejiggle stuff post-election), but expect the Home Office to be incompetent a*holes about it. It's their hobby.

 

[Glenski]

A note on the dependant visa, if you decide to take that route: you can only work part-time on it.

Yes and no. If you work more than part-time hours, your spouse cannot claim you as a dependent on their taxes.

 

[Majestic]

Yes and no.

Only "No".
With a dependent visa you are only allowed to work 28 hours per week.
外国人の方を雇い入れる際には、就労が認められるかどうかを確認してください。｜厚生労働省
原則として１週28時間まで就労することが可能となります

 

[Glenski]

Sorry, I was thinking of how much money one is allowed to earn (1.1 or 1.3 million yen, I believe).

Thanks for the link on the hours. Here's an English version for those who can't read the Japanese.