Japan: Work & Travel visa.

Highway SixtyOne

Hi all,

Basically, my OH is leaving for a years work in August of this year. She will be working in Japan.

I have a plan in my head at the moment to maybe head over in late this year/January 2013 to her and possibly stay with her for the duration of her placement. So I'd be looking at staying from say January to July until we both return home to Ireland.

As her job placement is already arranged she is more or less sorted. I however, would have to look for somewhere to work for a little while. We'll both be newly graduated from college so I see this as a nice opportunity to travel a bit and also not remain horribly love sick for a year

I've been doing a bit of reading and am very interested in this visa:

http://www.ie.emb-japan.go.jp/working%20holiday.htm

What I need to know really is the issuing time frame of such a visa and if anyone else has any experience with application for it.

Any information at all is appreciated as this is going to be completely surreal for me but I'm also excited about such a prospect!

Also, I haven't got a word of Japanese, I'd assume this would be problematic with finding basic employment or is it a big issue, I'd probably learn basic Japanese over the next while before I go.

Many thanks,

HW61

osarusan

If you have the time or money a CELTA course would make you much more employable as a language teacher. There are a number of language schools where a lack of Japanese won't be any problem whatsoever.

They can also help set up a visa for you. Lots of people use these kinds of schools as a way to get a visa, then leave the school as soon as a better job becomes available.

I don't know much about that particular visa, but it shouldn't take long to get.

Here's info about the CELTA, from a dublin language school, but there are places you can do it around the country.

http://www.ihdublin.com/ihdublin/main/CELTA.htm

Here's the recruiting page of one of the biggest chain language schools in Japan:
http://recruiting.ecc.co.jp/contract/index.html

There are other companies like this, all offering pretty similar positions and conditions.

Aeon is another:
http://www.aeonet.com/application/contract.html

For full time positions, you get the job before you go, and the school issues you a 'certificate of eligibility' which you take to the Japanese embassy and use to get a visa as a 'specialist in humanities' or similar words.

None of this may suit you though. Apart from teaching, I'd say your job options are very limited.

NeonCookies

Hey!

I'm here on a working holiday visa, so can hopefully help to answer your questions!

In terms of the time it takes to get it - I went into the embassy (with all the forms, bank statement etc.). The woman checked everything quickly to make sure it was all there, then told me to come back in about a week or 10 days. Simple! No interview/ questions or anything. The main thing that delayed my applying for it was having the savings - so start saving straight away! Once you have 1600/3200 (depending on if you have a return ticket) you can apply!

The most difficult thing about applying is making your itinerary, but it's also the most fun! Have it fairly detailed - dates, places, activities.

As for work, I really think the only option will be teaching. My bf originally had a plan to try to get some other basic work, but tbh once you're here you realize how little of the language you really know and how impossible work in other areas would really be!

We both work with Gaba - here's the website http://teaching-in-japan.gaba.co.jp/ They recruited me from overseas, and my bf in country so you can always wait until you get here to suss out your options! The initial contract is 6 months too, which sounds perfect for the time frame you want! I have a TEFL course and degree, but my boyfriend has neither and he still got a job!

They're easy to work for. 1 to 1 English lessons, using their textbooks. You choose your own working hours every month, only catch is that you only get paid for lessons booked. They're very upfront about this and tbh, anyone I know has no trouble making ends meet working here.

They don't pay for travel expenses etc as a lot of other Japanese companies do, but they have locations all Tokyo (and other cities, although I'm not familiar with them). Also, I think the flexibility more than makes up for it. If you want a week off next month, you take it - just put it in your schedule!

With regard to TEFL/ CELTA, I did a TEFL (i to i's 140 hour course). CELTA is without a doubt a better course - teaching practice etc. and allows you to teach English in English speaking countries. But, tbh.. unless you plan on doing it as a career /long term it's quite expensive and a big undertaking. My TEFL course taught me the basics and it's served me well so far. For 6 months (if that's all it will be) CELTA is not worth it in my opinion.

Wow sorry, that turned into a long post! If you have any other questions I'd be happy to try and answer them

TAPA2012

NeonCookies wrote: »

Hey!


We both work with Gaba - here's the website http://teaching-in-japan.gaba.co.jp/

Hi NeonCookies,

I just moved to Japan, Could you advise me on the application to Gaba. It sounds perfect for me with picking hours etc. Could you advise me on the application procedure and if took long for your bf to get a job. Thank you

NeonCookies

TAPA2012 wrote: »

Hi NeonCookies,

I just moved to Japan, Could you advise me on the application to Gaba. It sounds perfect for me with picking hours etc. Could you advise me on the application procedure and if took long for your bf to get a job. Thank you

Hi! The application procedure in country is pretty easy and very quick. You apply on their website and they will get in contact with you. Then you have 2 interviews at their headquarters in Yoyogi Hachiman. The first interview is pretty easy - just basic personal info, preferred location etc. and you get an assignment to complete at home and email back to them. If you pass this, the second interview is a bit more intense. There's one or two teaching role plays you have to do, but the recruiting team are really nice so it's not too stressful.

Then, once accepted you'll have a contract signing meeting and 3 days training. At the end of this, you organize a meeting at your assigned learning studio, and enter your work schedule. Altogether I'd say it took my bf 2 - 3 weeks from applying to starting work. It's very quick, especially if you're flexible to take interview dates as soon as possible, free to do the next scheduled 3 day training etc. Good luck

TAPA2012

Thank you! I am situated in Kyoto is there one nearby? I also heard of Berlitz! any advice on them I know they are in Kyoto!

NeonCookies

TAPA2012 wrote: »

Thank you! I am situated in Kyoto is there one nearby? I also heard of Berlitz! any advice on them I know they are in Kyoto!

Yea, there's a Learning Studio in Kyoto. Only one though, so I'm not sure how often they'd recruit for it. In Tokyo they're pretty much always recruiting because there's so many studios in the different areas - but I'm not sure of the situation outside of Tokyo. They tend to get back to you fairly quickly, so you could apply and ask them anyway? I don't know anything about Berlitz unfortunately.