Is it difficult to get a Visa in Japan?

Question

I'm moving to Japan with the intent to live. It's not professional and I can see you all frowning already. But I'm going to do it one way or another and that's why I am asking for your help! I want real people's stories and experiences. I've looked through every Japan Guide on the internet, I've read books, I want to hear from you guys. I'm not a student and can't afford to be one. If you've read my other question, you know I have an AA but not a BA and I want to teach english. I'm packing up in October and I'm going to do everything I can to stay there.

Answer 1

♡I've read your other questions K-flo and if you're planning on working in Japan, you'll need a working Visa. Have you checked the MOFA site yet? Please take a look:
http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/
As everyone has mentioned though, you need at least a bachelor's degree in any field to get a job teaching English with a good company. If you have a BA some companies will take care of the details for you. I suggest you wait until you get your BA before packing up and coming to Japan. It will save you a lot of trouble.
Take a look at this:
http://www.mhlw.go.jp/general/seido/dl/english.pdf#search='foreigners%20working%20in%20Japan'
Just packing up and moving is very difficult and expensive. Where will you stay? Renting a place is often difficult for foreigners. Take a look at this site too:
http://thejapanfaq.cjb.net/
Save yourself the trouble, get your BA then have your job lined up BEFORE you come and your working visa. It'll be a much better experience for you.
Hope this helps! Good luck.♡

Answer 2

Well, if you have read as much as you say you have read, then you would know that without a bachelors degree you cannot move to Japan to work. The only way to move to Japan without this is to be an artist that can prove you make money from your art or to marry a Japanese person. Otherwise, you can't do it. If you can't afford to go to school, you can't afford to live in Japan. You can't just up and move to Japan. It's not as easy as moving to the US. I met a woman online four and half years ago. We fell in love and so on. I wanted to move there when her father was diagnosed with cancer, but I had to finish my degree. Upon applying for jobs to teach English I was pretty given the cold shoulder for I have an IT degree, no TEFL nor any teaching experience. So, she is moving here now. My point is, that I have done much research and I do know what I am talking about. I could have entered the JET program, but you still need a BA or BS in something. They won't take you if you only have an Associates degree. If you don't have enough money for school, then that won't be a good sign in Japan either. You need to finish your bachelors degree, marry a Japanese citizen or give up your dream. Sorry for being so harsh, but you are trying to do something very difficult without much prior thought ("in three months I am going to move to another country") and haven't done enough research. Take the time to finish your degree (student loans can pay for your school) and then think long and hard about moving to the most expensive country in the world to live and do that on a very meager pay (from $20-30,000 per year).

Answer 3

Well if you are going to teach English and you want to work for a reputable employer you are going to need a BA.
Visas are not hard to get if you have a job. If not you will need a sponser.

Why do you want do come to Japan anyway?

If you have never been here it isn't like the movies. It is crowded expensive and polluted. You won't see any samurai and you can only see geiko as the hurriedly rush from teahouse to teahouse in a very few neighborhoods.

All that aside Japan can be a wonderful　experience heck I've been here twenty years.... All I can tell you is don't expect it to be easy. oh yeah it is very expensive to live so if you don't have a job lined up you better have deeeeeeep pockets.

Answer 4

You need a BA to teach English. And you need a work visa to get a job there. I wouldn't go there otherwise unless you already have thousands of dollars saved up. Japan is very costly to live. What will you do when your money runs out ? They will deport you. Sorry, it's a nice dream, but........

Answer 5

K-Flo,

I am sorry but NO ENGLISH SCHOOL will hire you without a Bachelor's degree. Don't apply to those weblinks that Joriental and Valerie gave you because they won't even consider you. To get a work visa to teach English, you need a Bachelor's degree. It is the sad truth. The Japanese government wants teachers who have a certain degree of education. Maybe you can do some private lessons but I doubt you'll get your visa. Good luck.

Answer 6

Can you get a working holliday visa???? If not can you get a business visa????

Well try this school they looking for english teacher.
Nova (www.teachinjapan.com) they can provide you a visa and accomodation.Hope you get a position with Nova the salary is very attractive.And please let me know next.

I use to live a year in Japan and had a great time,hope will be same for you.

Gambate

Answer 7

Japan is always looking for English teachers

Answer 8

Live your dream! I am looking to do similar as you, but I plan on going to college over there, the whole 2 birds with 1 stone thing :)

Answer 9

Most of what needed to be said was already said but one more thing.....what is the country of your citezenship? That is really important.

Answer 10

sorry i can't help-- just wanted to say you're brave for moving to a foreign country. Good luck and god bless