I have had some interest from a few boosters asking what is involved in a possible move to Japan from various places around the world.

I'm going to try and post up some of the most important things you need to know before moving out here and then outline some of the things that you need to do once you get here.



You obviously need a visa to enter Japan and stay here for any given length of time. There is a wide range of visas available.

If you would like to view the complete list, visit: http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/04.html#a

The MOFA of Japan is a good resource for up to date info on Visa details.

For those of you who want the abridged version, Im going to outline a few of the more "common" visa types.


This visa, specifically concerning Australian citizens, is for people between the ages of 18 and 31.

If you apply for the visa before your 31st birthday, you will still qualify.

You must apply for this prior to leaving the country to obtain the necessary permits and stamps.

Every Australian citizen has a maximum of 18 months under the W.H.V, renewable every 6 months.

You can only ever apply for this visa ONCE. If you stay for 6 months and then leave, you have finished your WHV. You cannot re-apply for the other 12 months at a later date.

You will need to visit both the immigration department and your local city ward when renewing.

Basically, this visa type permits the holder to work and travel in Japan and earn wages and pay taxes like an ordinary Japanese citizen.

If you would like to know what you will need to obtain the W.H.V, visit this website:

http://www.au.emb-japan.go.jp/e_web/embassy_guide/Wvisa.htm

The details behind the W.H.V are also explained here.

http://www.bernard.co.jp/recruitment/recru...kingholiday.htm

Personal Notes on W.H.V

I held the WHV for the first 18 months of my 5 year stay here and can tell you that it was a very useful and easy way to get started in the country. I took 5000 AUD when I left which was enough to get me kick started.

If you are coming over on this visa or any visa to be honest, you will need to move very very quickly to secure yourself here because to the uninitiated, Japan is a sprawling intimidating mess and can start out to be very expensive if you are not prepared. More on that later.

If you are out of Highschool, finishing Uni, it would be a very good idea to take this Visa because it allows you a short length of stay and the option to pull up stumps if you're not enjoying yourself.

Go ahead and read some personal experiences - a good primer for research prior to setting off.

http://japan-guide.com

How did you get over the language barrier? Did you learn Japanese prior or did you pick it up as you go?

x2

Tokyo has quite a large English speaking population

LOL, Only around other foreigners

Oh,...and the lucky few smattering of Japanese.

man, did you take that pic in your avatar?
you HAVE to take me there!

and heaps of Japanese in Tokyo speak a little English.. depending on what you want to accomplish..

The other posters seem to make it out like you can't do anything unless you speak Japanese..

there is a language barrier on most things.. But on surviving and getting around, you'll usually find someone who can speak English


Advice:
before you go to japan, learn katakana and hiragana its not that hard..

Thanks for the post man.... would love to see the unabridged version of this, any chance you can add the rest in?

Sure thing. This is something I've been meaning to finish...



The Working Visa is by far the most common visa for people coming to Japan. It entitles you to full rights as an employee of any company that employs you and enables you to work pretty much anywhere.

The minimum requirements for the Working Visa are that you must have first completed a Tertiary Degree - in other words you must have finished a Bachelors Degree, in ANY field, for you to be eligible for application.

It must be a bachelors degree from an accredited University.

Here is an MOFA Japan link.

http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/03.html

The benefits of having this visa mean that you can stay indefinitely, renewing your Visa either once a year or every 3 years, depending on the generosity of the people in Immigration at the time, haha

You will initially be granted a year on your visa and then will have to visit the Immigration department before that year is out to renew.

People have had a mixed bag when it comes to their Visas...some get 3 years the first time they renew and others only get 1 extra year.

To obtain the Working Visa you will need the same documentation as the WHV and will also have to provide evidence of your financial means to support yourself while you are looking for work.

Wow, I wish I had viewed this earlier. I don't have time to read it all atm, but I'm currently trying to apply for a WHV.. I've phoned the consulate multipul times and cannot get an answer..

Am I required to have a "Guarantor or reference in Japan" ?.. How do I complete question on the Visa app below if I dont?..

http://www.melbourne.au.emb-japan.go.jp/pd...saapplyform.pdf

I've been offered a retail position in Osaka, and want to arrive mid June - July..

I start Japanese lessons thus week FWIW..

Also, once I arrive and have a WHV, am I able to apply for a Working Visa without a Bachelors degree? aslong as my employer is willing to take me on Fulltime?

I am leaving to Japan on the 26th of April for an undermined amount of time..so just depends how things go. My WHV will be complete on the 8th of April. I handed it into the consulate last week. The lady there was cool, had a thorough look through it and said there shouldnt be a problem. I put alot of effort into the application and all that it requires. She also said they recommend extended the visa to experience japan in all seasons.

My plans are to go from tokyo >Kyoto> Osaka> Hiroshima..where i will finish up my hostel'ing and stay with my cousin for a while, during this time ill look for work and accomodation in the city i enjoyed the most. I dont have a BA degree but ive been told its not always required for teaching jobs. However i'm going to avoid teaching if i can.

should be an adventure

Awesome Dude!.. I've just booked my Airfaires to Japan, leave on the 21st of June!.

Plans here are Tokyo>Osaka. No idea where to then, but for the sake of the Visa App, I've put Tokyo>Osaka>Yokohama>Kobe. Need to hand my WHV into the Consulate in the next few days.

We will have to do something whilst we are over there!

Was supposed to move in Feb next year but plans changed. Damn it.
I'm going to apply for a WHV for the year after. Have a job lined up and a house to stay in (brother lives in Osaka).