Visa

[jonz]

Dear All,

Probably I'll get an internship in Japan through an association (ELSA European Law Students' Association ) within a private Japanese Company who also has branches in Europe and US. This Company told me I need to be a student to obtain the appropriate VISA and live in Japan. the problem is that I'm not a student anymore. I spoke with the Japanese Consulate in Italy and they say I need a CERTIFICATE of ELIGIBILITY from the Immigration Office in Japan (upon request of the Employer) if I want to obtain a VISA.

It is so difficult to obtain a VISA as NOT STUDENT?! Can I get easily the VISA as worker? What I have to do?!

Anyone could help me, please?!

Thanx in advance

Gio

[MMM]

You can get a student visa if you are accepted to a Japanese school, and a working visa if you have been hired by a Japanese company willing to sponsor your visa.

[jasonbvr]

Check and see if Italy and Japan have a holiday work visa agreement like Australia and England have. It is easier to get than a proper work visa. How long is the program? Are you going to be getting paid for the internship? I doubt since they are a law firm that it is possible, but you could just work on a tourist visa for up to three months. The problem however is that by law they must submit the visa status of all foreign workers. I would to the organisation or your school for help. Also you will want to ask how you could qualify for the Specialist in Humanities/International Services visa. This will probably be the easiest work visa for you to obtain. But for the company to sponsor your visa they must demonstrate that they are paying you a sustainable income in order to live in Japan. If the internship is unpaid, they can't really sponsor a work visa.

[jonz]

Thanx Jason,
There is an agreement between Italy and Japan, so u don't need a VISA if u stay in Japan for less than 3 months, otherwise u need the appropriate VISA.
As I explained before, this Company told me that the easiest way to get the VISA is being a student. They will pay me this internship with a monthly salary of 750€+frindge benefits (Accommodation and Commuting expenses). The internship period will be from 6 months to one year (therefore I need a VISA).

I thought I could attempt a japanese course in Japan and then be considered as a student, but the problem is if I have to pay for this course then I've no time to do it and no money to live there... So the Company has to request the CERTIFICATE of ELIGIBILITY at the Immigration Office in Japan and then I can get with this document the VISA in ITALY.
The Japanese Consulate told me that without this CERTIFICATE I can't get anything, so I need that certificate from that Company or an University/Institution in Japan.

I hope I made myself clear now... just last question: is it possibile to survive (not live) in Japan with 750€ x month (having the accomodation)?!

[jasonbvr]

That is about 120,000 yen per month. Depending on where you are living, you could live fairly well. At 120,000 and living in Tokyo, that is going to be tough. Also the way I read it, you are getting 750 EU a month and an apartment. If you have to pay for your apartment with that money, it is going to be tough. If the apartment is paid for, your income is going to be survivable. I probably live on about 80 to 90,000 yen a month after sending money back home so you'll be fine.

How much time do you have before you start the internship? I don't really understand why this company you will be working will not provide a certificate of eligibility for either the Specialist in Humanities/International Services or the Trainee visa. I would think you would qualify for both, especially the Trainee visa.

There is one way you could get a visa. Take a job teaching Italian (hard to find but not impossible) and then when you get the visa quit. Unlike Korea for example, your employer has no control over the visa in Japan. That means after you get a visa, it is valid even if you lose your job.

I don't know what else to tell you other than good luck.