Visas and the like

[mushroomyakuza]

Hello all, this is my first post and it's my most burning question. I'm hoping some of you will be able to help.

I recently became a qualified TEFL teacher and am hoping to teach English in Japan, specifically in Tokyo, in the near future, most likely in a year's time.

Visas confuse me. All I know is, I need one, but I'm unsure as to what kind of Visa I need. Further, I want to take my girlfriend with me, but I'm not sure what kind of Visa she would need (please note, we are not married). I know Japan has lots of strict rules and regulations about Visas, and they seem to prefer people with degrees when handing them out. Luckily for me, I have a degree, but my girlfriend doesn't, though obviously she would be hoping to find a job here.

Can someone please tell me a) what kind of Visa I need? b) what kind of Visa my girlfriend would need? c) any other documentation that would be recommended or necessary?

Any and all help is much appreciated,

thanks

 

[undrentide]

a) what kind of Visa I need?
b) what kind of Visa my girlfriend would need?
c) any other documentation that would be recommended or necessary?

a) You'll need visa which allows you to work in Japan
http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/03.html#b
http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/04.html#a

b) As she is not married to you, she'll need a visa for her own.
If she wishes to work, then working visa. If she has enough to support herself, another possible option is to get a visa for a student (see the list under "GENERAL VISA")

c) Besides the information on MOFA about visa;
Entering Japan
Language Teaching

 

[mushroomyakuza]

Wow, thank you very much for all the info and links. Very helpful.

Further question; I've heard that the Japanese government can be quite conservative with the Visa handouts concerning people without degrees. Can anyone say how true this is, and if my girlfriend is likely to have a problem as she doesn't have a degree?

thanks again

 

[epigene]

Wow, thank you very much for all the info and links. Very helpful.
Further question; I've heard that the Japanese government can be quite conservative with the Visa handouts concerning people without degrees. Can anyone say how true this is, and if my girlfriend is likely to have a problem as she doesn't have a degree?
thanks again

Based on past information posted here and elsewhere, yes, she's going to have a problem. Since she is not married to you and therefore not a dependent, she needs to be qualified for a visa as a separate individual.

 

[Glenski]

No degree means she either has to show enough experience to meet the visa requirements. What can she do?

Or she gets a student visa, cultural activities visa or working holiday visa. WIth the first 2, she can't work at all unless she also gets special permission from immigration.

If you're married, she can get a dependent visa and work PT with the same permission.