Spousal Visa and teaching

Gaberdeen · 16 Jun 2008

Hi everyone.

I'll keep this short as usually when I go in depth with questions it confuses people.

Next year I intend on moving to Japan permanently after marrying my girlfriend - I currently work in the UK on a rotation and "commute" to Japan when I'm off rotation.

I've been looking at my options for work in Japan after we marry and several stand out more than others, I'm a petrochemical engineer to trade and will actively be looking for work in SE Asia in this field - although the plan eventually is to stay in Japan full time.

Are there any restrictions on me for taking a job teaching english with a spousal visa? i.e. do I need to fulfil any other criteria to teach english in Japan?

Thanks

Gary

senseiman · 16 Jun 2008

I taught English in Japan on a spousal visa, there aren't any restrictions on your employment if you've got one.

In terms of getting a job it helps if you've got a university degree, but its not a visa requirement if you've got a spousal visa.

Gaberdeen · 16 Jun 2008

senseiman said:
I taught English in Japan on a spousal visa, there aren't any restrictions on your employment if you've got one.

In terms of getting a job it helps if you've got a university degree, but its not a visa requirement if you've got a spousal visa.

Cool, that answers my question, thanks for that.

My degree (distance learning) is in Process Engineering, I'm not convinced that it will help any in securing a Job teaching english.

Thanks again,

Gary

Glenski · 16 Jun 2008

Just to confirm. The MOFA regulations (which you should read) state no restrictions on activities for spousal visa holders.
http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/04.html

SV is not a gold card, though. It won't guarantee work. It just gives an employer an inkling that you plan to stay longer than the usual drifters here. English teachers here, except for most universities and for international schools, don't usually have degrees in teaching or education fields. You might want to look at some of the companies who want people to teach business English (Simul, Sumikin, Phoenix Associates, etc.).

For most non-teaching positions, you will have to have a fairly high level of Japanese language ability. How's yours? Unless you get hired by a foreign outfit with branches in Japan that speak only English, expect the application process to be difficult if you don't know Japanese. How else are you going to communicate with staff, read email and memos, understand the weekly business meetings, etc.?

Uh, your intended wife is Japanese, right? I ask because many people think spousal visa is for anyone who gets married, but it's really only for people married to a Japanese. The situation is totally different if you marry a non-Japanese.

Gaberdeen · 16 Jun 2008

Glenski said:
Just to confirm. The MOFA regulations (which you should read) state no restrictions on activities for spousal visa holders.
*snip*
SV is not a gold card, though. It won't guarantee work. It just gives an employer an inkling that you plan to stay longer than the usual drifters here. English teachers here, except for most universities and for international schools, don't usually have degrees in teaching or education fields. You might want to look at some of the companies who want people to teach business English (Simul, Sumikin, Phoenix Associates, etc.).
For most non-teaching positions, you will have to have a fairly high level of Japanese language ability. How's yours? Unless you get hired by a foreign outfit with branches in Japan that speak only English, expect the application process to be difficult if you don't know Japanese. How else are you going to communicate with staff, read email and memos, understand the weekly business meetings, etc.?
Uh, your intended wife is Japanese, right? I ask because many people think spousal visa is for anyone who gets married, but it's really only for people married to a Japanese. The situation is totally different if you marry a non-Japanese.

Yes, my fiance is Japanese - My Japanese in my own opinion is acceptable enough and I'm always studying to improve it. I was only in Japan last week staying with the in-laws and they've noted that it's improved a lot since they met me - If I took a petrochemical Job in Japan I daresay I'd need to up my vocab with respect to engineering terminology etc - I just don't want to have to end up learning Russian aswell.
Thanks for your insight.
Gary

Glenski · 17 Jun 2008

I can't give you much advice on the specifics of scientific or engineering jobs, but I can steer you towards www.daijob.com/en where you should read the articles by recruiter Terrie Lloyd (and take a look at some job ads there, which you will find are mostly for bilinguals).

Spousal Visa and teaching

Gaberdeen

Boku no namae wa Gary des

senseiman

先輩

Gaberdeen

Boku no namae wa Gary des

Glenski

Just me

Gaberdeen

Boku no namae wa Gary des

Glenski

Just me

Similar threads