Hey guys,
I graduated in 2020 from different uni in my country. I then moved to study another one in my country (this time Japanese studies) with a goal to find a job and life in Japan one day (the story has much more depth but I'm omitting a lot of details to make it shorter). Plan is that I wanted to get my Japanese level to N2 and also do exchange study. I started my exchange study in Japan for one year last September, and my student visa is until December this year.
During this Spring, I did job-hunting 就活 (as 既卒 – already graduated student) and I was somehow successful, which I didn't even expect since my Japanese was still N3 level (I'll be taking N2 this July for the first time). Moreover, my new company has decided to hire me from this October already, so I was relieved that I don't have to go back to my country which will save me ( 1. lot of money – I'm little bit on the thin ice there, 2. I have a lot of belongings right now because I got 内定 and since then I started buying more stuff knowing I would actually stay here – so from the practical side it would be also super good, 3. some time as well).
But the problem is, that the student visa is connected to my home-country unviersity somehow, The contract of my exchange study ends in 30th September, so I didn't see a problem there. But HR from my company sent me an email that I would have to go back to my home country:
— As I am currently studying at the Japanese University as an exchange student while also being enrolled at a my hometown university, I must return to my hometown university upon completing the exchange program. It is not possible to switch to a work visa while staying in Japan. (this one is weird in my opinion because I read many articles of people that were able to do it, but perhaps it is a must when it comes to an exchange study?) I'm pretty sure I am able to cancel my uni's studies by email as well somehow, or at least I think so.
- Submit the "Certificate of Eligibility" at the Japanese Embassy in the my country and obtain a work visa there (isn't it possible to do through some embassy in Tokio, or by email, or just by leaving the country to Korea/Taiwan and then flying back?)
The schedule from my company is as follows:
June: Apply for the "Certificate of Eligibility" at the Immigration Office through the company (it seems to take about 2 months). Once the "Certificate of Eligibility" is issued in August, my company will hand it to me.
September: Return to my home country and apply for a work visa at the Japanese Embassy in my home country . Once my work visa is issued, I should be able to come to Japan and join the company starting from October.
My questions are: 1) Is it really neccessary to go back, and/or is it possible to change the visa some other way. Or any ideas?
2) Does anybody have experiences with changing visa from student visa (as an exchange student) to working visa? And how did it go?
3) If there is no other way, how long does it take to issue the working visa after I come with COE to the Japanese embassy.
4) Anything that comes to your mind to makes sure of or… anything.
I really appreciate any help. Thank you.
by Relevant_Room3878