**Context**: I’ll preface this with I understand that I’m very excited about the opportunity to teach in Japan, but that I’ve heard how Interac can treat its employees can vary widely. I’ve been placed in Interac North and I’m currently working for a US-based tech company and I’ve been here for multiple years.
From what I’ve seen, they have been responsive and cordial now, but I’ve slated to arrive in August of this year (sometime between the second and third week). It’s typical to give a 2-week notification at my company, and I would ideally like some time off to decompress from the last 4 years, enjoy time with friends and family before I go, and land in Japan rested and ready for the next challenge. So far, I’ve been told I’ll hear back about the CoE status in a week or so, and I’ve asked follow-up q’s like…
1. How long does it take to get the CoE and does that guarantee a Visa?
2. How long does it take to get the Visa from my consulate?
3. When will I learn more about my placement?
4. What’s the likelihood headcount changes last minute and I am not needed in Japan in August? (I’ve signed their contract)
They haven’t responded to my latest q’s (above) and I’m wrestling with the decision to leave at this point.
**Issue**: I understand that there’s only so much they can tell me now, but August is rapidly approaching and I’m wondering if I have the leverage to push for more information and to push for more proactivity from them? Is this typical? What I can get from them at this point?
I’m also nervous about submitting my two weeks early before I get my Visa and committing to them in the event the Visa doesn’t go through. I want the time off but at the expense of my current job, it seems too risky to gamble. I welcome any advice on getting the information I need out of Interac.
14 comments
If you signed a contract, you’re going. Now you’re just going through the motions on getting the visa worked out. It can take some time though, so just be patient. Interac North is still by far the best branch. Welcome to the family.
Placement won’t happen for awhile. It can really come down to the wire so don’t be surprised if you don’t know until the very end, already in Japan even. Just let the process move naturally.
Until you have your visa, set date they want you to come, plane tickets, don’t give your 2 weeks notice.
Otherwise I’d just try to chill.
Interac is known to blow people off even after they have a contract. They hire en mass and then pick and chose among those once they know what contracts they will be getting from the boards of education to fulfill the ALT placements. Sometimes they lose contracts to other companies, and have to disappoint a number of people they have promised jobs to. Every few months we get posts on here from people complaining that they have their COE but have not gotten a placement, and that Interac has begun to ignore their emails or has told them to wait six months.
If I were you, I would not quit my job until I knew *exactly* when I would start work. Actually, if I were you, I’d call Interac and get someone on the phone who could tell me my start date, because BY LAW when you sign a contract there should be a start and end date.
See, Interact feels free to play lose with labor law because ALTs are in and out of Japan so quickly that it is rare for someone to really stand up and challenge them. If you want to know about the shenanigans they pull, go to the General Union website and check out all the lawsuits the union has filed against them.
The reports about Interac vary widely because you are listening to people. What people want from companies varies widely. Some people are just straight up drama queens who want the world at their feet and paid a fortune for it. Others have been treated shitty. I’m in both categories. I no longer work there, but it was fine while I was. The kept cutting the money. But i caught them in some lies at the end. They don’t put much effort into valuing the better ALTs.
Someone I worked with once told me….only go to the office when you absolutely need to. Only interact with Interac as much as you have to.
Use your downtime to get certifications and other things to help your teaching or other chosen profession. This job isn’t the worst but it isn’t anything to stay long in.
If you’ve been at your current job for 4 years, do you not get PTO? Take that.
My experience with CoE and such- everything feels very rushed, at the last moment. You don’t get as much time as you’d like and you’re almost committed to the move (prep, 2week notice, etc) before you even have the paperwork in your hand.
I think the last, realistic “it might not happen” is the situation where your CoE gets denied. Once you get it confirmed that you’re getting one, then it’s just a matter of time ’til you go. Takes about a week or more to get the CoE, then you’re off to the embassy/consulate asap. Usually 5 business days or so to get the visa from there.
Don’t quit that job. I’ve been in Japan working for Interac since March of 2023. The 100-ish group of new alts I arrived with for training were the oddest bunch of socially awkward/on the autism spectrum individuals I think I’ve ever been around. I was dumbfounded. Interac will literally hire anyone. Interac is adding all these extra “training” days (not sure if those days are new) that are pointless. The pay is poor. Luckily I’m only doing this for one year and the experience. I haven’t had any real problems with the company itself yet. I’m at a junior high school so my work day is easier/boring compared to others. Many other alts are in driving positions and are being sent to lots of schools and being run ragged. This is a temporary fuck around job, not a career, unless you’re boring, unimaginative, and don’t ever want to have any money. Plus language and social isolation if you’re not good with Japanese or very outgoing. Good luck (I say don’t do it!).
Interac North is broken even among a company that is broken. The branch built up a lot of bad karma with teachers, and the head office has had like four different head teacher/foreign managers in three years because the company is combatting ALTs, and keeps subbing in new staff to try a new tactic. Like, ALTs don’t always know who is who at the office, because the office has so much turnover.
They’re trying to fix it by waiting for all the frustrated teachers to just finally quit (most have), and controlling meetings so “bad” teachers don’t spoil the new “good” ones. This might be two years back, but one time a head teacher told the ALTs that the ALT union was a waste of money. A union member was there and said, “Yeah, but.” Interac wrote him up for promoting the union in a meeting. There is still a combative relationship between the company and ‘veterans’.
It doesn’t really affect new teachers overall, since Interac North tries to keep ALTs from interacting these days and their eyes and ears can be protected from opinions that aren’t 100% positive. But the fundamental problems with the North branch will always filter through and when the new teacher shine wears off, the darkness of Interac will set in. (removal of bonuses years ago; shaving paid days off the annual contract during the six week unpaid period; increased workload on ‘work days’ where the company has ALTs use their own computers, Internet and camera to teach online lessons; completely useless training meetings that are contractually for the BoE, but do nothing; North supplying a head-office-based head teacher stooge as an ALT rep to represent regular ALTs rights; zero respect for ALTs, just platitudes. That’s off the top of my head.)
OP please listen to and properly consider all the negative things you’ve heard about dispatch companies.
I did JET for 3 years then did dispatch for 1 year cause I needed the visa. The experience was night and day.
Unless you KNOW for a fact that you only want to come for a short time AND you have the finances to support yourself, I’d say doing dispatch for 1 year is fine. Other than that, dispatch is basically just modern day slavery. A pro rated salary that just barely covers monthly expenses (you might even go in the red), damn near 0 support once you’re here, and if there are any problems with your assigned schools they will dispose of you as soon as they get the chance.
The other commenters have given some wise words. As far as answers to the questions you asked Interac, from usual timelines for CoE and visa, with any company:
1. 3-10 weeks, depending on how busy immigration is. 99% you will get your visa when you take the visa application, CoE, to your closest embassy.
2. Usually 2-3 business days. It can run a little longer depending on how busy they are. When I got my first visa, it took but 2 business days. I had to go in person to the closest embassy and drop off the CoE, application, photo, passport. They then mailed my passport with entry visa to me. Total took less than a week to receive.
*This was 7 and a half years ago. Idk how it is post covid.*
It took months for my visa. Was scheduled to go in October and didn’t get anything until December. They emailed me with my flight info and I think in less of a week I was in Japan. It will go very fast and you need to be ready to leave at a moment’s notice.
How long does it take to get the CoE and does that guarantee a Visa?
Hurry up and wait. That’s how it goes. Submit your paperwork as soon as you can, and wait for them to respond. Yes, I know it’s annoying and stressful af, because I went through it myself six months ago. It’s not really the company being evil, it’s moreso the company not hearing back from BoEs until the very last minute.
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How long does it take to get the Visa from my consulate?
Depends on your processing times, and assuming there’s no red flags. I got mine in a week. It’s not a hard process, although a busy office could theoretically take longer. Gtting the appointment was the hardest part; they only process them certain days.
When will I learn more about my placement?
Every situation is different. Assume you’ll know the general region before you leave (different regions have different hiring cohorts). Your specific city and school / school level? I learned mine halfway through orientation week. This is a job that requires flexibility in placements. Again, not usually the company being mean, it’s generally the company doesn’t know until just before.
For the record, the office staff at your branch are putting in 12-14 hour days during this period to make things work. However much you wish you knew, I assure you they wish they knew even more, so they don’t have to figure stuff out last minute.
What’s the likelihood headcount changes last minute and I am not needed in Japan in August? (I’ve signed their contract)
Very, very unlikely. You don’t see it, but the company has invested money, time, and manpower in hiring you and getting all the training/immigration stuff sorted out. Even if you’re not “needed”, they will probably still bring you over as a backup, because ALTs ghost them every now and then.
Even in a ridiculously unlikely situation where they lose a big contract last minute and have nowhere else to shuffle you off to, you can always use the visa and your presence in Japan to get hired with whoever won the contract. But this is a very remote possibility.
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Don’t worry. I know you will because I did, but they do know what they’re doing; at least as well as anyone else in the industry. You’re starting in August? Here’s some free pieces of advice:
– Start learning as much Japanese as you can ~~today~~ yesterday. I mean it. You haven’t felt humility until you’re standing in a store and speak at a toddler level.
– Save every penny. The wages are livable, but aren’t great, and you’ll probably need to accustom yourself to a more frugal lifestyle, but the big thing is the startup costs. Five thousand dollars is the minimum I’d recommend, just for the peace of mind. Your first paycheck will likely come October 20th.
– Head to the dollar store and buy 10 sticks of deodorant. Trust me on this.
– If your bank/credit card is going to expire within a year or two, consider “losing” it and getting a fresh one from the bank. Also, tell your bank you’ll be overseas for a bit.
– Start shopping around for what places offer the best exchange rates. Yen is in the toilet now, which is beneficial for you.
– Are you studying Japanese yet? I’m serious. You need to know it.
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DM me if you have any more specific questions, and RELAX 🙂
Take every Reddit comment about ALT and dispatch companies with a grain of salt tbh. I’ve been working as an alt for over 10 years and I rarely had any problems. There was one trainer who’d tell me she was my boss but at the end of the day we’re all just regular peeps with no teaching qualifications.
I would like to get answers about this too! I’m getting concerned on the lack of communication and time. However, I got placed with Interac West instead of North. I also recently received email saying that my CoE has been lodged.