Question # 11. What kind of visa do I need to teach ESL in Japan?

Question #11. What kind of visa do I need?

If the country does not have a 'working holiday' relationship, the Japanese government requires all teachers to have a working visa that must be obtained by the sponsoring school or organization.

The language school or public school will do the leg work.

There is some security in working for a school that will go through the trouble to obtain a working visa for a prospective instructor.

The institution must show fiscal strength and a running history that will suppor the hire or the Japanese government will not give its stamp of approval.

It can be quite cumbersome for the recruiting school to pile up the papers, make the treks to the various ministries, answer all the questions, go back and get more info and then answer more questions.

From the time the school says, "We want you!" till the working visa is approved can be 3-6 months. Not a few times, I have seen schools go through the trouble to get the working visa only to have the teacher/s change their minds and the school be required to start over with someone else.

Both school and prospective teachers need to plan ahead.

Want to teach in Japan? Think 6 months from now. Need a teacher? Think what you will be needing 6-9 months from (3 months to find someone, 6 months to get their working credentials) and plan accordingly.

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