stupid visa situation. need urgent advice!

[moidave]

Hi!

I obtained a 3 year humanities specialist visa valid until May 2012 but quit my job since I was offered a better one. It did not work out so I am now jobless but I have an offer to work as an ALT until April with possibility of renewal.

The catch is that they want me to change to an instructor visa. Here are my questions:

1. If I change to an instructor visa, do I lose the 3 year specialist in humanities visa?

2. I am hoping to get an offer to teach French for JICA through Interac (who is also offering me the ALT job). If I have an instructor visa but want to switch with JICA in April, is it easy to reverse back to a specialist in humanities?

3. one thing I do not understand: on the MOFA site it says it takes at least 1 month to change residence status but the interact people want me to start the ALT work next week and said very casually "we'll change the visa the day before you start". If it takes at least a month, how come I can start working immediately? Would the same apply if I wanted to revert back to a specialist in humanities to work with JICA (who offers only 3 months renewable contracts)

4. what about getting a 28 hour work permission?

I am very confused and quite angry that I should lose my precious 3 year humanities visa if I may (but nothing sure) need it in April. I have to give my answer tomorrow thursday jan 7th... I need advice.

Thank you so much!

[MMM]

Originally Posted by moidave

Hi!

I obtained a 3 year humanities specialist visa valid until May 2012 but quit my job since I was offered a better one. It did not work out so I am now jobless but I have an offer to work as an ALT until April with possibility of renewal.

The catch is that they want me to change to an instructor visa. Here are my questions:

1. If I change to an instructor visa, do I lose the 3 year specialist in humanities visa?

2. I am hoping to get an offer to teach French for JICA through Interac (who is also offering me the ALT job). If I have an instructor visa but want to switch with JICA in April, is it easy to reverse back to a specialist in humanities?

3. one thing I do not understand: on the MOFA site it says it takes at least 1 month to change residence status but the interact people want me to start the ALT work next week and said very casually "we'll change the visa the day before you start". If it takes at least a month, how come I can start working immediately? Would the same apply if I wanted to revert back to a specialist in humanities to work with JICA (who offers only 3 months renewable contracts)

4. what about getting a 28 hour work permission?

I am very confused and quite angry that I should lose my precious 3 year humanities visa if I may (but nothing sure) need it in April. I have to give my answer tomorrow thursday jan 7th... I need advice.

Thank you so much!

1. Yes, you would lose the three year visa. The visa ALTs get is for one year.

2. Switching visas is never easy. I would be cautious about changing your visa more than once. You will be putting up red flags, I believe. When in doubt in Japan the answer is always "no".

3. As long as the visa is in progress you should be able to work. There is no benefit to the Japanese government for you to not be working.

4. I believe 28 hour work permission is for people with student visas.