Question about getting a working visa in japan and private tutoring

Question

i want to go to japan to teach english privately, ie, not with a corporation, but privately tutor. but, it seems i need someone to sponsor me, and i have to provide documents proving what i am going to be doing, etc. is it impossible to go to japan on a tourist visa, then apply for a working visa while in japan, even if you are only going to privately tutor?

Answer 1

In general, work visas are for employee and not for independent contractors such as private tutors. If you really want to go into the private tutoring business, you'd have to form your own tutoring company and hire yourself to sponsor yourself for a work visa. In order for your company to qualify, it needs a minimum of two full-time employees so your tutoring business needs to make a certain amount of money to keep itself going.

I don't think that's the kind of commitment you were looking for. Perhaps something close to a working holiday where you would be tutoring part time and sightseeing other times is what you had in mind?

If you're serious about tutoring in Japan as a career, you might as well go all the way and start a company. Otherwise, for the three month stay in Japan on your tourist visa, you can go to one of the many English conversation cafes and volunteer as an English speaking partner. Some of the members may be interested in you as a short-term tutor under the table. That may not be legal, but no one's going to know if you're paid in cash.

You can't switch from a tourist visa to a work visa in Japan. You need to enter Japan with a work visa. Now, it may not be possible to look for work before getting to Japan, so job seekers on a tourist visa used to find work in Japan and then go to Korea to get their work visa issued.

Answer 2

It is NOT legal to apply for a work visa while you're there on a tourist visa. To qualify for a work visa you need a four year degree. It does'nt matter in what subject.This is what the Japanese government reqiures.

The employer would sponsor you.

And I would'nt listen to people who tell you "I know someone who did this or that...If / when you're caught teaching  on a tourist visa, they will deport you. You would not be allowed back into the country for five years. BTW, a tourist visa is only good for 90 days. You also need to think about housing.Many Japanese landlords won't rent to a non-Japanese. Many require 2 or 3 months rent in advance,and also "key money>