I am currently in Japan with a “cultural activities” VISA, which by default does not allow me to work here. However, as far as I know I can apply for “permission to engage in other activities” which would let me work part time. The problem is that from what I have found, with my VISA type I cannot apply for the inclusive version, only the exclusive one. This complicates things because supposedly it takes somewhere between 2 weeks to 2 months to process such an application, and I need to provide all sorts of details of my future workplace, meaning I can’t just apply for the permission, get it, and find a job any time afterwards. Finding a part time job beforehand also seems difficult, because I cannot tell them exactly when I will start, as I don’t know how long it will take for the permission paperwork to go through.
I would just like some advice, how should I approach this? Should I still try and find a job regardless and hope that they won’t have a problem with me starting much later or at an unknown date? Is the time window not actually that bad and I can expect to have it approved in a few weeks at most? I would appreciate any help if someone has experience with such a situation.
2 comments
Sounds like you don’t have another above board option with that visa. You are limited to a single employer and need to have the details in hand to modify its terms.
Look for a job and be up front about your visa situation. You might be able to start working in the interim while your paperwork is being processed, or at least get training and orientation out of the way.
Are you actually studying cultural activities here?
If not, it sounds like you’re probably on the wrong type of status of residence.
The cultural activities visa isn’t really a regular work visa. The reason why it’s so strict, is because a part time job at 7-11 isn’t related to studying cultural stuff. The visa is designed for allowing you to do some paid work in the cultural area that you’re studying.
For example, if you’re learning Chado(sic?), then you would already know your teamasters’s details, if they wanted you to be able to do some tea ceremonies with real customers.
Does your master have any part time work that needs doing?