"Working Holiday" Visas

[Golgo_13]

The Japanese government issues such visas to foreignors in order to allow them to obtain temporary jobs in Japan (primarily teaching English). Someone I knew (an American) was interested in applying for this visa. He found out that Americans are not eligible for this visa, although Canadians, Australians, and New Zealanders, among others, qualify.

Could this be because there's an effort on the part of the Japanese gov't to keep out Americans (for whatever reason), or is it just because the American gov't does not reciprocate such visas to Japanese nationals?

 

[jeisan]

the american government doesn't participate in the working holiday thing.
also i beleive there's an age requirement; 18-30

 

[magikcow]

lol, doesn't have anything to do with keepin americans out
it's just that canada, britian, australia and NZ have agreements regarding the working holiday visa. same goes with drivers licenses.

 

[jeisan]

yuh the american governmeant could participate in the working holiday visa they just choose not to.
the drivers license thing is separate though. a US drivers license is accepted in australia, may have to check for other countries.

 

[shudovick]

uh, thats interesting , which contries can obtain such visas? heheheh well see ya!

 

[m477]

The US government just doesn't see the need. The people that just want to go there for the cultural experience can easily get a visa from the eikaiwa schools. In other fields, it seems like most American citizens receive higher salaries than they would in Japan, so there's probably very little demand from the populace for a PT visa.

 

[jeisan]

shudovick,
UK, canada, australia, new zealand, france, germany and south korea.

m477,
i cant get a visa from the eikawa schools since i dont have a BA in anything yet. and either way while that may work for japan it doesnt help for any other country one might want to visit for a time but not have the money to.

 

[Ewok85]

Something interesting i found out recently is that Japan doesnt allow dual citizenship (but then again neither did australia 2 years ago)

 

[Elizabeth]

There used to be a Cultural visa for Americans who wanted to go to Japan and study traditional arts or cultural aspects as well as teach (?) but it may have been phased out due to abuse. Plus, you needed a large amount of cash in the bank for the application process.

 

[playaa]

Hm, I wish that it was easier to get to Japan then it is, just seems like so much stuff to go through. I wish I could just up and move, and take residence in Japan.

 

[shudovick]

why they dont cound Mexﾃｭco well, Haila!

 

[Golgo_13]

Because all Mexicans are going to Los Angeles!!!!

:sorry: :sorry: :sorry:

 

[duff_o_josh]

lol that was a great comment

 

[m477]

shudovick,
m477,
i cant get a visa from the eikawa schools since i dont have a BA in anything yet. and either way while that may work for japan it doesnt help for any other country one might want to visit for a time but not have the money to.

So if someone has no degree, not much cash, and limited japanese ability, how would they be able to stay past the 3-month tourist visa period even if the government allowed it?

 

[jeisan]

the point of the working holiday is to be able to work for your holiday funds while in country.
there are restrictions on that, like only being able to work at one place for 90 days then having to move on to another, and while the visa lasts a year the traveler can work no more than 9 months. so one could pour drinks in a bar or flip burgers at McD's or deliver newspapers as long as it helped pay for the trip.

 

[playaa]

I wonder if you had a job at Mcdonalds in U.S. would it help if you could work at Mcdonalds in Japan.

 

[Golgo_13]

It won`t help if you have experience working at a Denny`s in the U.S. to work at a Denny`s in Japan.

The menu is o different. For breakfast you have a choice of western fare or traditional Japanese. Western would be eggs, bacon, omelette, toast, etc. Good enough.

They serve broiled fish, rice, pickes, miso soup and natto for breakfast at a Denny`s in Japan.

Who`d a known.