Can i get work visa whilst visiting Japan?

Hi guys im searching the web for this as well but thought some first hand knowledge would be good.

I've been offered a job in Japan and they said they'll support me get a visa hence write whats needed for certificate of eligibility and everything else..

Now unfortunately im going back to UK and then heading for philippines 1 way ticket after just about 9 days in UK..

Hence I may either do this:

1) get working holiday visa ..takes 5 days
2) enter as a tourist and then hope to get work visa and certificate of eligibility given whilst there within 90 days - IF THATS POSSIBLE

I'm not sure if number 2 is possible..
In any case they'll talk to the Japanese consulate in London on my behalf but if anyone had an experience they could share I'd be grateful

 

Once you get the visa, you have to leave the country and come back to change your status (like a short Korea trip or something). If your company is willing to sponsor you it shouldn't be a problem. So if they are serious about sponsoring you #2 is possible, but you will have to leave the country regardless of anything.

 

Thanks Giel you good man you!
Yeah the company are willing to sponsor me and do anything that's required within reason

 

i discovered recently that there is apparently a way to change visa status without leaving the country - but your company has to talk to a lawyer etc etc.... so it's still cheaper to go to Korea and back (and , i dare say, quicker and more fun!)

 

http://www.ehow.com/how_4937312_visa-work-visa-leaving-japan.html

Says here you don't need to leave Japan at all - however I'm waiting for my employer to contact the Japanese consolate in London for confirmation on the most efficient way of doing things.

I've been to Korea and have a friend there - I wouldnt mind visiting again if it comes to it ^^

 

I'm going to phone the japanese embassy in philippines again to confirm whether they can accept the certificate of eligibility and provide a work visa on my British passport..If you can get it stamped in Korea why not Philippines (though Philippines is admittedly crappy) I have an inkling the person I spoke to doesnt know everything

 

It depends on what visa you're switching from... or at least it used to. Generally from tourist to working means you need to split for a couple of days. Note: It takes WAY less time to have your visa issued abroad than in Japan. 1 week for the former, 8-10 for the latter.

 

I can tell you FIRST-HAND that you DO NOT need to leave Japan to change from a tourist visa to a working visa. You used to need to leave the country, but that changed sometime before 2006 (when I changed from a tourist visa to a professional visa). It MIGHT matter which visa it is, but if it is instructor, humanities, spouse or missionary, then you do not need to leave the country. You do not need a lawyer (at least I didn't. It was a simple trip to immigration, an "in process" stamp in the passport, and then a few weeks of waiting). Other visa types I have no idea about.

 

Well I know for a fact that tourist to student still requires you to leave the country though.

 

#2 is possible. I just did it for one of the guys who works for me and he has been going in and out for almost a year on a tourist visa.

 

Has he been working for you the whole time?