I guess some people are having very different experiences trying to get their working visas without having to be tied to a company. Maybe next year when I have to renew mine I will have more difficulty. But I doubt it.

The news media in the last year or so has been reporting on how immigration in Japan is loosening up in various sectors to encourage more foreign workers in an effort to increase competitiveness and make up for the declining native work-force. Examples include the upcoming increase in maximum visa length from 3 to 5 years and the move from local to national admin of Alien Registration Cards.

http://goo.gl/jRl3b

“Think about it folks, Japan is in constant need of experienced and trained English instructors, they very much WANT people like us to stay and work here in Japan, why on earth would they want to make it difficult?”

Japanese schools and Eikaiwas are in constant need of completely untrained English teachers (training really means nothing here; let’s just be clear about that). A few are even looking for experienced teachers.

Japan on the other hand, at least the government of Japan, has no need for any new foriegn people to come into the country ever. Despite a dwindling population, despite recommendations from the UN, despite a lacking labor force and despite an economic recession that hasn’t really budged since the mid 90′s, they still won’t accept a large foriegn population residing on their soil.

That is why, yes indeed, they do want to make it difficult. They don’t want anybody who won’t do all the ridiculous paper work, approach the counter with humility and accept that you’re going to have to go through it all over again next year, or three years from now if you’re lucky. They especially don’t want anybody they don’t “need” (read: ostensibly required to perform a job for a company and not going to engage in uncontrolled activities).

“Yes, all this information can be found above;”

Indeed. In my post. Which you disputed…?

You will need complete documentation to prove your main sponsor at your first application and every renewal afterward.
You will not be able to apply for a visa without a sponsor.

The only way I can understand your situation Kevin, is perhaps that since you recieved your VISA several years ago, the immigration office has somehow allowed you to be exempt from changes in the law (unlikely). That, or you have a good personal relationship with your local customs agent (it is a country of fuzzy laws).
There are no new working visas issued without sponsorship anymore and it is not possible to renew without sponsorship either.

“Do you have to submit proof of having a main employer (with official documents from the company proving you are employed by them) or sponsorship each time you renew?”

Yes, all this information can be found above; the first time you apply (you need less the second time)you do need prove of employment and earnings, and at least one company needs to supply information about their company (number of employees and annual income etc.). You need a letter from the employer basically saying they need you. Read above again.

Thanks for your response, Kevin. I have been hunting down information since i made that post and I understand the procedure more now.

While I agree with most of your statements, I will say that immigration has a tendency not to make anything “easy.”

As for myself, I’ve lived in japan for over 7 years on both an instructors visa and now I currently have the same visa as you.

I understand that the basic process is to apply to extend my current visa while providing proof of contracts that provide me with income (as described countless times above).

However, there does seem to be some necessity to be sponsored by a main employer. Do you have to submit proof of having a main employer (with official documents from the company proving you are employed by them) or sponsorship each time you renew? Or do you only have to show contracts and proof of income?

The Japanese obviously didn’t come out.

jinbun chishiki/ kokusai gyoumu
(Specialist in Humanities/ International services)

Missed one of your questions;

In Japanese my visa (stamp)reads;

?????????
Specialist in Humanities/ International services

It’s the same visa sponsored by a company or not by the way.

It’s only surprising to people who have been in Jp a short time I suspect, it’s pretty wide-spread and common in my experience. I have a Humanities Work visa (which is what most teachers have.

Think about it folks, Japan is in constant need of experienced and trained English instructors, they very much WANT people like us to stay and work here in Japan, why on earth would they want to make it difficult?

If anyone is having trouble getting a visa without having to be sponsored by a company it is likely because the immigration authorities are uncertain your experience, qualifications and earning power are sufficient for you to “look after yourself” so to speak.

If, like myself, you can provide evidence of being able to attain steady, secure income through work you have arranged with various companies by yourself in the past year or so, there is little reason for immigration to turn you down for a visa. Period.

Thank you for your insightful comments but I have one important question.
What is the name of the visa you are renewing?
I think it is amazing that you have successfully extended it five times. What is the actual Japanese name for the visa that you have? Is it written on the stamp in your passport?

I renewed my self-sponsored visa this March at the Shinagawa immigration office without any problems at all, and no help from any of my employers(except statements of earnings).

It was the fifth time I have done so since 2004. I make 8-10 million a year so maybe that is a factor. Who knows??

All I know is, I and a number of my colleagues, continue to renew their self-sponsored visas without difficulty.

So, don’t give up people.

I understand your experience as I have the same. I’ve been here more than five years.

Have you tried to getor renew a self-sponsor VISA since 2010? I was told quite flatly that is not possible, and sought confirmation from Majima. I trust her advice as it was everything japanese law isn’t: simple, to the point, free, and readily available. Also, frankly, there’s nothing else to go on as the authorities refuse to publish official documentation. This is the primary dilemma in Japanese immigration law: while policies change year by year, in the absence of any official announcements, foreigners are left to rely on heresy and rumors (anything posted on the Internet should be regarded as such).

It is also true that no two immigration officers, offices, or prefectures follow exactly the same procedure and they generally do not explain or even understand the proper procedures.

You can get a sole-proprietor VISA on your own, but it requires proof of a 5 million yen investment in a business physically based in Japan or two full-time Japanese employees. Self-sponsored work VISAs however, are no longer available (for now).