Visa Rules in Japan

Japan has a visa exemption arrange with 62 countries and regions. Information on these countries can be found on the diplomatic website, http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/02.html#a

This visa exemption arrangement is only for purposes such as sightseeing and business trips and is for a short term. Also, the waiver of visa requirements is not applicable in the case of stays exceeding the period of time stipulated in each arrangement. In such cases, it is necessary for foreigners to obtain a visa. If you intend to teach in Japan, you will need to apply for working visa. This application has to be done in person in an embassy or consulate. When applying for a visa for teaching, it is advisable to apply in Japan beforehand for a Certificate of Eligibility. If a foreigner submits a visa application to an embassy or consulate together with a Certificate of Eligibility, he or she will be able to obtain a visa in a shorter time than applicants without such a certificate. A Certificate of Eligibility is issued as evidence that the applicant fulfills various conditions of the Immigration Control Act, including those certifying that the activity in which the foreigner wishes to engage in Japan is valid and comes under a status of residence. As a teacher wanting to work in Japan, your status of residence will be that of an instructor. This instructor visa is granted for either 1 year or 3 years. There are two processes for acquiring a Certificate of Eligibility, as shown in the accompanying diagram. An application is usually made by a proxy in Japan at the nearest regional immigration authority to the proxy's place of residence in Japan. The following documents have to be provided at the time of application of the working visa along with the visa application form.

• Documents certifying the academic career or a copy of an educational

• license of the person concerned.

• Documents certifying the professional career of the person concerned.

• Documents certifying the activity, its duration, the position, and the remuneration of the person concerned.

• Material showing the outline of the recipient organization.

Japan also has a working holiday visa program which is intended to promote greater mutual understanding between Japan and its partner countries. The applicant's primary aim should be to holiday in Japan. The program is not designed for persons who mainly intend to work or study in Japan (for which purposes the appropriate visa should be sought). To ensure that the program's objectives are met, the following requirements are to be satisfied.
The applicant

• must intend primarily to holiday in Japan for a specific length of time.

• must be between 18 and 30 years of age.

• must possess a valid passport and a return ticket or sufficient funds to purchase a return ticket.

• must possess reasonable funds for living expenses, including medical expenses, during the period of the initial stay in Japan. For a single person, the minimum is US$2000, for a married couple, US$3000 or equivalent amount of the national currency.

• must be in good health and not have a criminal record.

The documents required for application, which must be done in person include the following.

• Application form.

• Photographs: Identical photograph (45mm x 45mm), to be glued to the application form.

• Resume on A4 paper, including educational background, work experience, hobbies, and other relevant information.

• Outline of planned activities in Japan.

• Statement of the reason: Statement of the reason for applying for Working Holiday visa on A4 paper.

• Proof of adequate travel funds (a return ticket, proof of possession of a bank account, traveller's cheques, etc.).

• Proof of sufficient funds to support the initial stay in Japan: At least US$2000 for a single person, US$3000 for a married couple.
   

Further information on visa application procedures can be obtained from Embassies or Consulates-General of Japan.