Hello,
I’m planning on staying at a couple farms that have volunteers work for half days and in return you get a place to stay and maybe some meals (or all meals). None of these positions are paid. I’m traveling through Japan without a visa and just want to make sure that this won’t be a problem (didn’t realize how much stricter the labor laws are in Japan vs the US). How strict are the laws regarding farm labor and how often are they enforced?
Also, there are a number of “work at a hostel/BnB” type things out there that ARE PAID. Does anyone have experience with those? How hard was it to get your visa?
5 comments
You’re not allowed to work in exchange for room, food or money if you’re on visa waiver.
>How hard was it to get your visa?
It’s as simple as having a career, finding a company that wants to relocate you to Japan and have them process it. No, you don’t get a visa just to work in a hostel for a short term. It’s another story if you’re trying to get a job in the hospitality industry as a full time employee.
Your plan is illegal. You cannot receive ANY compensation if you are just on a tourist visa. No free place to stay, no free meals, nothing
Not legal, people have been arrested for helping a couple of hours a day at a hostel in exchange for a bed in the past. If you want to legally do it, you would need a visa and the best is working holiday visa, that is not available in all countries (US no).
>didn’t realize how much stricter the labor laws are in Japan vs the US)
What?
I mean people from other countries can’t just show up and work for compensation in the US either without a visa that permits it? Have you never heard of the infinate “THEY STEALIN OUR JERBZZZZ CLOZE ZE BOARDERZ” argument.. like.. ever? America is NOT a fan of work being performed by non-residents/people without visa’s permitting work.
I’d say U.S. has stricter labor (in this case immigration) laws.
You’re just now learning about the benefits of being a citizen in a country you reside in.
These types of opportunities are legal and geared for those on [Working Holiday Visas](https://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/w_holiday/index.html) in Japan. Only citizens of certain countries are eligible to apply for a working holiday visa. Unfortunately, the US is not one of those countries.
The places you’re hoping to WWOOF or do work away stays at in exchange for any sort of compensation (including lodging/food) *should* require proof of legal ability to work in Japan before accepting you. If they don’t, they are hiring illegal workers and could face severe legal and financial penalties in Japan. These are not the type of employers you’d want to work for under any circumstances. If working illegally in Japan *you* would face severe legal penalties as well. See the [US Embassy page on Arrests of US Citizens abroad.](https://jp.usembassy.gov/services/arrest-of-a-u-s-citizen/)