I promise I’ve tried to research this well and I’m just not sure I’m on the right track. I’m set to come over in Spring ‘23 as an ALT, and I’m getting married here in the US before I leave.
I was an ALT previously and I’m comfortable with the salary supporting us while he looks for work. (He does not have a degree, so he can’t seek to teach as well.) He’s an athlete/setter in professional climbing, so he’s hoping to work in that capacity since it’s a very popular sport in Japan.
Our plan/hope is for my husband to be able to follow me over a few weeks after I’m set up. I see that he can work up to 28 hours as a dependent. That would be acceptable if it’s all we can get for him, but ideally he’d love to work full time at a gym.
Unfortunately, if I’ve been reading everything right, it looks like it’s going to be difficult for him to get a working visa 1) without a degree (despite that being irrelevant to his career) and 2) without first leaving the country and getting his potential employer to sponsor him, which sounds like a nightmare. Since I won’t know where I’ll be assigned until much later, there’s really no option but to look for his work after arriving.
Am I missing something, or is it actually very difficult to get him set up for full time work once he’s here as a dependent with me? If he finds a job, does he really need to LEAVE the country to obtain a working visa? (assuming that is possible?)
I apologize and appreciate any and all advice, as it seems very difficult to find clear answers on this. Thank you!
4 comments
> He’s an athlete/setter in professional climbing, so he’s hoping to work in that capacity since it’s a very popular sport in Japan.
Sure but is it popular where you’re teaching? Most ALTs are out in the sticks, you should be ready to do something else. Does he speak any Japanese ? He’ll probably have to do private eikaiwa work.
> . I see that he can work up to 28 hours as a dependent. That would be acceptable if it’s all we can get for him, but ideally he’d love to work full time at a gym.
What kind of visa would he get to do that? I guess you could look into the designated activities visa, but that’s pretty unlikely.
> Am I missing something, or is it actually very difficult to get him set up for full time work once he’s here as a dependent with me? If he finds a job, does he really need to LEAVE the country to obtain a working visa? (assuming that is possible?)
No, you’re basically right. If this is a bad idea for your husband , you should reconsider your plans.
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AFAIK the only visa he could possibly get besides dependent is the designated activities visa which requires him to have different types of certifications or the equivalent of those. It might also be a good idea for him to get his previous employers to write a letter stating in what capacity and for how long he’s worked for them as it’s easier to get them while you’re still in the US (I presume).
I have friends with associates degrees with job offers who were denied work visas since they didn’t have a BA, so even with a job offer he could be denied a work visa that requires a degree
My husband is also a sports instructor with no degree currently working on a dependent visa. We’re debating whether it’s better for me to get permanent residency (I have over 150 points so can get it after 1 year) and move him to a spouse visa (no restrictions) or for him to get the designated activities visa which he seems to qualify for and his company is open to supporting.
>Am I missing something, or is it actually very difficult to get him set up for full time work once he’s here as a dependent with me?
Pretty much. On a dependent visa (not a Spouse visa) he’s restricted to 28 hours per week. If he wants to work more, he’ll need to get his own work visa.
>If he finds a job, does he really need to LEAVE the country to obtain a working visa?
No, he would be able to apply for a change of status from within Japan. The people who need to leave are on a status that does not allow changes (typically Working Holiday Visa) or not on a status of residence at all (tourist, maybe SOFA).
>he’d love to work full time at a gym.
‘International Services’ might cover working at a Hotel or a Resort that caters to foreign tourists. Almost certainly he wouldn’t be able to get a visa to work full time at any regular local gyms. Generally speaking a bachelors degree is something immigration wants to see, but for niche work it would really be up to the employer to convince immigration that he’s got the required qualifications. Professional certifications and experience would be critical.