File :-(, x, )
Anonymous
dear /jp/,

I think I may have screwed myself with my own incompitence. I sent some resumes out to various big companies citing a job teaching English as previous work, but I didn't have a work visa. I was working around 14 hours a month AT MOST but I haven't managed to find anything that says you're exempt from work restrictions if you work less than "x" hours a month. I do vaguely recall asking the international center at the Japanese Uni I was studying at whether I needed one and they said not really, but I can't be 100% sure. Surely there are other people in here who have studied abroad in Japan and would know this kinda stuff....
>> Anonymous
and by /jp/ I mean /trv/.....
>> Anonymous
>>62260
Like there's a difference..
>> Anonymous
Yeah you'll need a work visa and most legit companies will require you to give them a copy before they will hire you. Changing your visa status in Japan is difficult but not impossible. If I were you I'd get yourself to the immigration office to pick up the forms ASAP. The catch-22 is that in order to get the visa you'll need proof of employment, or at least a letter from a company that's willing to hire you. So if one of the company responds positively, just explain the situation to them. They've most-likely dealt with it many times. They'll give you a letter to bring into the immigration office which you'll turn in along with your visa forms. If you're lucky you'll get a 3 year visa right off the bat but it depends. In the end it's just a bunch of paperwork and a few trips to the immigration office but it's not so bad. Good luck!
>> Anonymous
>>62361

Oh and if I misunderstood your question, I don't think any companies will ask to see your PREVIOUS work visas. If you say you have English work experience, even informal or part time, that should be enough for them. They are not the immigration office so they aren't going to reject you on your previous visa status, but if you want a job you'll need to get all that stuff sorted out before you can begin.
>> Anonymous
If you're there on a student visa, you can work but only after you get a work permit from immigration. You can work a max of 28 hours per week, but you absolutely need the permit in addition to your visa.