JohnQueen:
What I know about the process is that before any talk of resumption, the company will inform you about the items you need for your visa application:

Background Check
CoE Application Form
ID Photos
Emergency Contacts
Transcripts
Schooling Letters

Now, you will be required to send physical copies of your transcripts, schooling letters, and ID photos to the company in Japan by courier, as these documents are needed for your CoE application, which the company will submit to Immigration.

When the CoE is ready (usually taking from 4-8 weeks or more), the company will send it to you, either by mail or courier, and this is when you can apply for an instructor visa to enter Japan.

She just got a mail saying that all the mandatory visa documents checklist submitted are not verifiable and unreliable ( this includes yellow fever card, proof of AXA Mansard insurance cover certificate, covid-19 vaccination certificate, Academic transcripts, proof of funds from 2 banks, police clearance certificate and medical certificate of fitness) and that she should submit the reliable ones and then specifically, she should send a month POF bank statement.

Please what's going on? I don't know what they mean by documents unverifiable and unreliable. Any idea on what to do please?

Gerrard59:


That salary is the standard for fresh ALTs. No company is supposed to ask you for money before employing you. Yes, once you get the COE, the visa is approved, barring any unforeseen circumstances. That is the great thing about Japan's visa process - issuance of the COE means the embassy just to go through your application and approve it. Your friend should expect her visa within three days after the application. If she submits it on a Monday, she should get the visa by Thursday latest. The problem with the COE is that it takes almost three months to issue it. Although, the government wants to reduce it to a month for highly skilled workers.

ALTs run as the demand arises. I am currently an English teacher for a branded organisation and from the interview, the busiest periods are March, July, August, September and December. So, I believe it should almost be the same. The firm will help you both with finding an apartment, SIM registration and city taxes.

Welcome to Japan!

She just got a mail saying that all the mandatory visa documents checklist submitted are not verifiable and unreliable ( this includes yellow fever card, proof of AXA Mansard insurance cover certificate, covid-19 vaccination certificate, Academic transcripts, proof of funds from 2 banks, police clearance certificate and medical certificate of fitness) and that she should submit the reliable ones and then specifically, she should send a month POF bank statement.

Please what's going on? I don't know what they mean by documents unverifiable and unreliable. Any idea on what to do please?

davodyguy:
Finally entered Japan today oo

Arrived at 20:30pm , 25/10/15 that would be around 12:30pm Nigerian time.

Face two Immigration officers and got cleared.

They didn't even ask about money I took, though my PP showed BTA of 3.5k USD.

But I forgot a document with them and didn't know if I should go back to them.

One Nigerian based in Japan at the airport said, 'No I shouldn't go back to pick my documents, that the Japanese are this and that. The guy discouraged me, but I sumed up courage and went back to them, since I entered Japan legally.

I got to them and explained myself. They asked for my PP, checked and gave me NY documents back.

Are you still in Japan ? I’m looking for a sure visa plug

superdee01:
She just got a mail saying that all the mandatory visa documents checklist submitted are not verifiable and unreliable ( this includes yellow fever card, proof of AXA Mansard insurance cover certificate, covid-19 vaccination certificate, Academic transcripts, proof of funds from 2 banks, police clearance certificate and medical certificate of fitness) and that she should submit the reliable ones and then specifically, she should send a month POF bank statement.

Please what's going on? I don't know what they mean by documents unverifiable and unreliable. Any idea on what to do please?

A month POF from a bank is not really an issue. However, for the bolded statements, I have few questions to ask:

- Were the transcripts notarised by a public notary? If yes, the institution should contact the public notary to confirm. The contact details are on the seal, which is stamped on the document.

- The COVID test has its unique confirmatory process where anyone anywhere can input the details online and confirm the result. Has she confirmed it herself and checked if the result corresponds to the entry standards by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs? I did mine and saw only one dose was uploaded. I went to the medical centre to lodge a complaint and got it rectified. If it were one, my COVID result would have been invalid. The same applies process applies to Yellow Fever. As for POF, I don't know if the banks will divulge account details to a private company overseas. No idea about that.

- Medical certificate of fitness. From which hospital, private or public? Using MEXT standards, records from public hospitals are usually preferred over private ones. Again, this should be verifiable from the contact details on the certificate. The same applies to police clearance and Mansard Insurance.

In summary, the institution seems to apply "over due diligence" on documents originating from Nigeria. I say this because I presented similar documents, excluding police clearance and did not experience this issue. JohnQueen knows more about this line of work visa than I do.

Gerrard59:


A month POF from a bank is not really an issue. However, for the bolded statements, I have few questions to ask:

- Were the transcripts notarised by a public notary? If yes, the institution should contact the public notary to confirm. The contact details are on the seal, which is stamped on the document.

- The COVID test has its unique confirmatory process where anyone anywhere can input the details online and confirm the result. Has she confirmed it herself and checked if the result corresponds to the entry standards by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs? I did mine and saw only one dose was uploaded. I went to the medical centre to lodge a complaint and got it rectified. If it were one, my COVID result would have been invalid. The same applies process applies to Yellow Fever. As for POF, I don't know if the banks will divulge account details to a private company overseas. No idea about that.

- Medical certificate of fitness. From which hospital, private or public? Using MEXT standards, records from public hospitals are usually preferred over private ones. Again, this should be verifiable from the contact details on the certificate. The same applies to police clearance and Mansard Insurance.

In summary, the institution seems to apply "over due diligence" on documents originating from Nigeria. I say this because I presented similar documents, excluding police clearance and did not experience this issue. JohnQueen knows more about this line of work visa than I do.

Thanks so much. All the documents submitted have correspondences that can be mailed and easily get a response. Her covid-19 card is verifiable with both doses confirmed online using her unique NG- number on the covid-19 vaccination certificate card. I even verified it online myself and took a screenshot too. I did same for her yellow fever card and took screenshots. Police clearance is easily verifiable because she got a new police clearance via possap.gov.ng and there are links on the documents where anyone can easily input her details and them get a feedback whether it is genuine or fake. Her medical certificate is from a state teaching hospital and I have contacted them to also inform them of the development and the hospital even confirmed that they didn't get any mail from Japan with regards to her details. Anywayz, I
We have decided to work on the one month POF because she initially submitted just the balance in her account since they didn't specify initially that its one month POF they want. We will just work on the POF and re-send all thr documents initially as it was sent with no changes because all her documents are genuine and verifiable. I don't know the kind of game they are trying to play. We will also send screenshots of her verified informations online for covid-19 and yellow fever card as well. We won't give up. Thanks Gerrard for always responding. Will wait for JohnQueen submissions too.

Thanks.

Gerrard59:


A month POF from a bank is not really an issue. However, for the bolded statements, I have few questions to ask:

- Were the transcripts notarised by a public notary? If yes, the institution should contact the public notary to confirm. The contact details are on the seal, which is stamped on the document.

- The COVID test has its unique confirmatory process where anyone anywhere can input the details online and confirm the result. Has she confirmed it herself and checked if the result corresponds to the entry standards by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs? I did mine and saw only one dose was uploaded. I went to the medical centre to lodge a complaint and got it rectified. If it were one, my COVID result would have been invalid. The same applies process applies to Yellow Fever. As for POF, I don't know if the banks will divulge account details to a private company overseas. No idea about that.

- Medical certificate of fitness. From which hospital, private or public? Using MEXT standards, records from public hospitals are usually preferred over private ones. Again, this should be verifiable from the contact details on the certificate. The same applies to police clearance and Mansard Insurance.

In summary, the institution seems to apply "over due diligence" on documents originating from Nigeria. I say this because I presented similar documents, excluding police clearance and did not experience this issue. JohnQueen knows more about this line of work visa than I do.

How do you mean by transcripts being notarised by a public notary? Please explain.

Her transcripts have emails of the verification units of her school and it was stated there that anyone that needs to verify should contact the email. Infact her school verification emails are two on her transcripts and I strongly believe that they would have received a response if they had contacted the school via the official emails.

superdee01:
How do you mean by transcripts being notarised by a public notary? Please explain.

Her transcripts have emails of the verification units of her school and it was stated there that anyone that needs to verify should contact the email. Infact her school verification emails are two on her transcripts and I strongly believe that they would have received a response if they had contacted the school via the official emails.

You take the degree to a public notary for verification. Some universities and countries request that from applicants in developing countries. Do a photocopy of the result, take both original and photocopy to the public notary: get them notarised. Then, send the notarised copy. A mere certificate of graduation of BSc/BA does not count, except it is from a "reputable" country. That is, a Singaporean would not have to notarise his document. But a Nigerian has to. That is one of the ills of being a Nigerian.

As for COVID and the rest, from your narration, they should be legit. Why the school has stayed that all are invalid is worrisome. They should have been distinctive about which is which. Well, get the academic transcripts (each page) notarised and submit them as previously. State explicitly that you have double-checked with all the relevant bodies about their validity. If possible, screenshot pages of confirmation, like that of COVID, and send as well.

POF and bank statements, no be the same thing? If yes, get a bank statement of one month. That should not be difficult.

Honestly don't know how to navigate this, as it seems quite different from the documents I submitted and the timeline.

Since April 23, Covid-19 vaccination is no longer required to enter Japan. I didn't have to get vaccinated. Didn't need yellow card either.

I got travel insurance only after booking my flight.

I didn't have to show POF, and didn't notarise my documents either.

Just ask them what they want and provide accordingly.

superdee01:
She just got a mail saying that all the mandatory visa documents checklist submitted are not verifiable and unreliable ( this includes yellow fever card, proof of AXA Mansard insurance cover certificate, covid-19 vaccination certificate, Academic transcripts, proof of funds from 2 banks, police clearance certificate and medical certificate of fitness) and that she should submit the reliable ones and then specifically, she should send a month POF bank statement.

Please what's going on? I don't know what they mean by documents unverifiable and unreliable. Any idea on what to do please?

JohnQueen:
Honestly don't know how to navigate this, as it seems quite different from the documents I submitted and the timeline.

Since April 23, Covid-19 vaccination is no longer required to enter Japan. I didn't have to get vaccinated. Didn't need yellow card either.

I got travel insurance only after booking my flight.

I didn't have to show POF, and didn't notarise my documents either.

Just ask them what they want and provide accordingly.

Thanks guys. I really appreciate. I will do accordingly to what you guys have said. @gerrard and JohnQueen, thank you. Wil keep you guys posted

Hello everyone ,

Please for those that got a tourist visa to Japan this year , did you have to submit a tax clearance certificate and medical insurance ?

Was having active UK, US, Canada and / or Schengen visa any advantage?

Thank you

I didn't submit any of these. This was in April, 2023. Your other visas are definitely an advantage.

puffmama:
Hello everyone ,

Please for those that got a tourist visa to Japan this year , did you have to submit a tax clearance certificate and medical insurance ?

Was having active UK, US, Canada and / or Schengen visa any advantage?

Thank you

superdee01:
She just got a mail saying that all the mandatory visa documents checklist submitted are not verifiable and unreliable ( this includes yellow fever card, proof of AXA Mansard insurance cover certificate, covid-19 vaccination certificate, Academic transcripts, proof of funds from 2 banks, police clearance certificate and medical certificate of fitness) and that she should submit the reliable ones and then specifically, she should send a month POF bank statement.

Please what's going on? I don't know what they mean by documents unverifiable and unreliable. Any idea on what to do please?

Are all the documents cetified by a nottary public or federal court.
Kindly get "certified true copy" stamped on all the documents

LadyGBU:


Please sir what is the price range for sending documents through DHL to Tokyo?

Only DHL can give you the answer

Good day pls I need school hiring for alt teachers.
Cheers.

Nigerians in Japan, how are you coping with the Earthquakes?

Good day everyone

Are there any Alts on this Sub? New or old.
I’d like to know how long it took for your COE to be approved. I know the normal waiting time is 1-3months but I’d like to hear from you individually because from what I’ve read it differs by countries.

Thanks

Good day.
If i may ask, what is your reason for requesting for COE?

RolandPark:
Good day everyone

Are there any Alts on this Sub? New or old.
I’d like to know how long it took for your COE to be approved. I know the normal waiting time is 1-3months but I’d like to hear from you individually because from what I’ve read it differs by countries.

Thanks

judecares1:
Good day.
If i may ask, what is your reason for requesting for COE?

I’m waiting on an instructor COE and I’d like to know the waiting time for Nigerians. It seems individuals from different countries have their waiting times and I’d like to hear from people that has passed through this stage, how long it took for theirs to get issued.

Due to verification of the documents which was submitted by your instructor and you should know Japan doesn't joke with documents.
About 1-2months ago if am not mistaken with the exact date, the Japanese government approved the application of COE via online which will make it more faster.

Wish you good luck

RolandPark:
I’m waiting on an instructor COE and I’d like to know the waiting time for Nigerians. It seems individuals from different countries have their waiting times and I’d like to hear from people that has passed through this stage, how long it took for theirs to get issued.

Hello guys, Is there any school in Japan that would accept someone with a low Bachelor’s grade for Masters?
I really love Japan and I wish to live there.
I am presently living in China, I also have a registered LTD company here in China and I’m sure that whenever I apply for a tourist visa from China here, it will be granted but I don’t know if there will be a way to convert tourist visa to a resident visa in Japan?
@Blackbriar
@Gerrard59

uchman:
Hello guys, Is there any school in Japan that would accept someone with a low Bachelor’s grade for Masters?

Yes. Do your search. Such schools exist outside the Kanto and Kansai regions. If you have plenty money, enrol in a private university. If your money is not plenty, get into a national university.

I really love Japan and I wish to live there.
I am presently living in China, I also have a registered LTD company here in China and I’m sure that whenever I apply for a tourist visa from China here, it will be granted but I don’t know if there will be a way to convert tourist visa to a resident visa in Japan?

No. I don't know why our people think it is possible to convert a tourist visa to a resident visa while in the country. For Japan, a resident visa is dependent on having the COE - Certificate of Eligibility. Without it, you cannot have a resident card. Without a residence card, LIFE WOULD BE MISERABLE. I am not mincing words. The residence card is needed for everything as a foreigner residing in the country. EVERYTHING.

Since you have a registered company in China, why not look for business partners in Japan? Also, if you really want to live here as you already have your business, I would recommend the Business Manager Visa. It costs 5 million yen. Or you enrol in a Japanese language school in China, learn the language up to at least N2 then apply to a Japanese language school in Japan. The school will issue you a student visa. This is because, from previous interactions, you are above 30. No Japanese language school will admit a 30-year-old student who resides outside the country. The next issue is: after graduating from the language school, you either find a job which sponsors your visa or you start a company to sponsor your visa (back to the Business Manager Visa).

My recommendation? Apply for the Business Manager Visa from China if you really want to LIVE here.

P.S. I already replied your message. Why re-send the PM?

Gerrard59:


Yes. Do your search. Such schools exist outside the Kanto and Kansai regions. If you have plenty money, enrol in a private university. If your money is not plenty, get into a national university.



No. I don't know why our people think it is possible to convert a tourist visa to a resident visa while in the country. For Japan, a resident visa is dependent on having the COE - Certificate of Eligibility. Without it, you cannot have a resident card. Without a residence card, LIFE WOULD BE MISERABLE. I am not mincing words. The residence card is needed for everything as a foreigner residing in the country. EVERYTHING.

Since you have a registered company in China, why not look for business partners in Japan? Also, if you really want to live here as you already have your business, I would recommend the Business Manager Visa. It costs 5 million yen. Or you enrol in a Japanese language school in China, learn the language up to at least N2 then apply to a Japanese language school in Japan. The school will issue you a student visa. This is because, from previous interactions, you are above 30. No Japanese language school will admit a 30-year-old student who resides outside the country. The next issue is: after graduating from the language school, you either find a job which sponsors your visa or you start a company to sponsor your visa (back to the Business Manager Visa).

My recommendation? Apply for the Business Manager Visa from China if you really want to LIVE here.

P.S. I already replied your message. Why re-send the PM?

Thanks brother, your reply is as clear as the daylight.

uchman:
Hello guys, Is there any school in Japan that would accept someone with a low Bachelor’s grade for Masters?
I really love Japan and I wish to live there.
I am presently living in China, I also have a registered LTD company here in China and I’m sure that whenever I apply for a tourist visa from China here, it will be granted but I don’t know if there will be a way to convert tourist visa to a resident visa in Japan?
@Blackbriar
@Gerrard59

Good day.

Please how do you mean by Low Bachelors degree?
Do you mean Second class lower (2-2), if this, then yes several japanese universities will give you admission.
Sadly, you cannot convert tourist visa to resident visa.
To be a resident, it means you are a tax payer and have a job.

My 2 cents.

You actually valid with your explanations. I was actually in Nagoya for just 9days during my spring vacation from last week of march to 1st week of April 2024 and i arrived using China airline and the POE na die if u dey come with tourist visa oo. U go explain tire and proof y u won come there country oo 😅 😅 once the immigration officer don dey ok b4 he go come give you sticker for 15days,I visit places ooo, Japanese people too over good.
I nor fit upload some pictures. I too enjoy d country , security over strong and d funny tin na my last day went i dey check out 4m my hotel room,I mistakenly press fire alarm b4 i say hello 👋, security don show with fire service,my people i just tire dat day b4 dey con off d alarm 🚨 and dey even dey ask me hope say i dey okay?

Gerrard59:


Yes. Do your search. Such schools exist outside the Kanto and Kansai regions. If you have plenty money, enrol in a private university. If your money is not plenty, get into a national university.



No. I don't know why our people think it is possible to convert a tourist visa to a resident visa while in the country. For Japan, a resident visa is dependent on having the COE - Certificate of Eligibility. Without it, you cannot have a resident card. Without a residence card, LIFE WOULD BE MISERABLE. I am not mincing words. The residence card is needed for everything as a foreigner residing in the country. EVERYTHING.

Since you have a registered company in China, why not look for business partners in Japan? Also, if you really want to live here as you already have your business, I would recommend the Business Manager Visa. It costs 5 million yen. Or you enrol in a Japanese language school in China, learn the language up to at least N2 then apply to a Japanese language school in Japan. The school will issue you a student visa. This is because, from previous interactions, you are above 30. No Japanese language school will admit a 30-year-old student who resides outside the country. The next issue is: after graduating from the language school, you either find a job which sponsors your visa or you start a company to sponsor your visa (back to the Business Manager Visa).

My recommendation? Apply for the Business Manager Visa from China if you really want to LIVE here.

P.S. I already replied your message. Why re-send the PM?

judecares1:
You actually valid with your explanations. I was actually in Nagoya for just 9days during my spring vacation from last week of march to 1st week of April 2024 and i arrived using China airline and the POE na die if u dey come with tourist visa oo. U go explain tire and proof y u won come there country oo 😅 😅 once the immigration officer don dey ok b4 he go come give you sticker for 15days,I visit places ooo, Japanese people too over good.
I nor fit upload some pictures. I too enjoy d country , security over strong and d funny tin na my last day went i dey check out 4m my hotel k me hope say i dey okay?

I am glad you enjoyed Japan. Nagoya is one place I would love to visit sha. Let me see wetin Toyota and its contemporaries dey do for that side.

On 1st April 2024 Toyota did display of their new car when i visited. I dont know why nairaland didnt allow me to upload some pictures,
If you want to visit toyota or any of the historical site kindly purchase the MEGO ticket for the bus which cost 500yen or that of the train usually used only on weekends for 600yen and you will get 200yen discount from toyota museum. The discount applies to most of the historical places as far as you have the MEGO ticket valid for full day or the subway ticket valid for 24hrs and it can be used for both buses and train as well.

Gerrard59:


I am glad you enjoyed Japan. Nagoya is one place I would love to visit sha. Let me see wetin Toyota and its contemporaries dey do for that side.

judecares1:
On 1st April 2024 Toyota did display of their new car when i visited. I dont know why nairaland didnt allow me to upload some pictures,
If you want to visit toyota or any of the historical site kindly purchase the MEGO ticket for the bus which cost 500yen or that of the train usually used only on weekends for 600yen and you will get 200yen discount from toyota museum. The discount applies to most of the historical places as far as you have the MEGO ticket valid for full day or the subway ticket valid for 24hrs and it can be used for both buses and train as well.

Thank you for the information.

In the earlier pages of this thread, there was this discourse that the MEXT Scholarship is based on man know man, aka nepotism and mago mago. Well, from my experiences so far and interactions, I advised future readers and would-be MEXT Scholar applicants to disregard those words. The MEXT scholarship, whether Embassy or University recommendation, is highly competitive and one the rarest scholarships which pay for everything from flight ticket to tuition to stipend to return ticket if you wish to return home. It is not common anywhere in the world. Only the Commonwealth Scholarship by the British government comes close in similar benefits. That too is biased towards first class graduates.

This post is hinged on Embassy Recommendation as it is more competitive than University Recommendation even though the metrics are almost the same. First, if you don't have a first class, it would be tough as most MEXT Scholars I have come across from Nigeria have first class. The ones who have 2.1. have it above 4.0, aka strong 2.1., and one even had a distinction in his MSc from his alma mater. Even from other African countries, they have a first class and/or cognate work experience. One worked with PwC in his country before his MSc in Economics. A cursory look on LinkedIn with the search phrase: "MEXT Scholar + Nigeria or any notable Nigerian University" would bring out the results: almost all had a first class.

So, first class graduates get an advantage over others. To out-bid them, cognate work experience is vital.

Good day, I am new here and I have read some of the post. I really appreciate how active and responsive this page is.
Please I have some questions to ask.
1. Is it compulsory to have a B.ed degree as first degree?
2.As a Nigeria who wants to teach English in Japan, will age be a barrier?
3. For someone who graduated many years ago but has teaching experience, do you think there will be an opportunity of getting COE?
4. Will the main applicant be allowed to bring in dependant (spouse and two children) immediately? If no, how soon?
5. Do they really sponsor the visa of applicants? If yes, will the applicant's family be sponsored too?
Please pardon my numerous questions. Thank you in anticipation as you respond.

vinoj0225:
Good day, I am new here and I have read some of the post. I really appreciate how active and responsive this page is.
Please I have some questions to ask.
1. Is it compulsory to have a B.ed degree as first degree?

No. However, to be issued a work visa by the immigration authorities requires a bachelor's degree. It could be in any subject or speciality. A bachelor's degree is the minimum requirement. Without which, no work visa is issued.

2.As a Nigeria who wants to teach English in Japan, will age be a barrier?

Above 35 and without Japanese experience in terms of work or education, it would be difficult. But this can be sidelined if the person has other superior qualifications or the school is in distant/unpopular prefectures.

3. For someone who graduated many years ago but has teaching experience, do you think there will be an opportunity of getting COE?

Please know that teaching English to Japanese school pupils is different from being a teacher as recognised by the Ministry of Education. It is like a JAMB tutor vs Math teacher in Nigerian parlance. Anyone who knows mathematics can tutor JAMB/WASSCE to students, but won't be allowed to teach in government schools. In Japan, to be assigned as a teacher to teach in public schools or registered private schools, you must be a registered teacher. For government schools, the teacher MUST speak Japanese and acquire teaching qualifications from regulatory authorities in Japan. For private schools whose students are Japanese, the same policy applies. Where it gets different is international schools. Private schools will employ you if you have INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNISED teaching qualifications and INTERNATIONAL teaching EXPERIENCE. You use English to teach the students. I have met a Ghanaian woman whose husband teaches English at a nearby international school. I don't know his qualifications, but from what I read, the minimum is an MSc, whether obtained abroad or in Japan.

It is a highly competitive position as White people, both genders, are the dominant foreign group in that category - teaching in international schools. But if you are qualified, the process is largely meritocratic. This is why internationally recognised teaching experience and qualifications are important. Imagine teaching in top private schools in Lagos, Abuja and Port-harcourt? That is how it is.

4. Will the main applicant be allowed to bring in dependant (spouse and two children) immediately? If no, how soon?

Yes. But if your employment is the regular English teaching role, aka JAMB/WASSCE tutor, then your visa application for dependants could be denied. The salary is not high and takes a long time to get increases. The majority of such people are very young, usually below 27. Mostly White people who want to get a foot in Japan and do it for the love and kini kon culture of Japan. Don't depend on it entirely as a means of living to the point of inviting dependants.

However, I have been told of a man who was a MEXT scholar for the Teaching Program (sponsored by the Japanese government) who after his scholarship got a job to teach English then later brought his wife and two children. The person who told me this was a recipient of the same scholarship and recently got married, then brought his wife. He too teaches English. I don't know their salaries, but to me, it would be too low to support a spouse and two children. Maybe their salaries have increased or they have increased responsibilities, but it depends. I have seen MEXT Scholars (the ones who attend universities for MSc and PhD) have their families with them. So, it can be possible, but is dependent on the discretion of the immigration authorities. Just that for me? I no fit.

P.S. The entry salary for regular English teachers, aka JAMB/WASSCE tutors is Y250K per month before taxes. MEXT Scholarship stipend is Y150K (tax free). MEXT Scholars don't pay tuition or flight fees. Regular English teachers are taxed as normal workers. Yes, they are seen as workers in the eyes of the government. Compared to other developed countries, salaries in Japan are generally low. However, the cost of living is way lower compared to those developed countries. The difference is that workers who work in sectors other than regular English teaching get bonuses twice annually, increments once per annum and paid overtime. Regular English teachers don't receive these benefits. It is the standard teachers who receive such.

5. Do they really sponsor the visa of applicants?

Yes, as I have explained in previous pages, the organisation you want to work for or study at is the one who applies for your visa at the prefectural (say Imo State) immigration office. After submitting the required details, the immigration office sends the COE to the organisation who then sends it to you the applicant to use during the visa application. Without the COE, you cannot apply for a work or study visa at any Japanese embassy. Without the COE which gets converted to Residence Card at the airport, LIFE WOULD BE MISERABLE HERE.

If yes, will the applicant's family be sponsored too?

For dependants, that is on YOU. This time, you are the one applying for YOUR dependants to come here. Your financial capabilities would be assessed. If approved, the immigration office sends you the COE, which you send to your dependants. If denied, there is nothing you can do other than re-apply. You cannot appeal the denial nor would the reason for the denial be explained to you.

Gerrard59:


No. However, to be issued a work visa by the immigration authorities requires a bachelor's degree. It could be in any subject or speciality. A bachelor's degree is the minimum requirement. Without which, no work visa is issued.



Above 35 and without Japanese experience in terms of work or education, it would be difficult. But this can be sidelined if the person has other superior qualifications or the school is in distant/unpopular prefectures.



Please know that teaching English to Japanese school pupils is different from being a teacher as recognised by the Ministry of Education. It is like a JAMB tutor vs Math teacher in Nigerian parlance. Anyone who knows mathematics can tutor JAMB/WASSCE to students, but won't be allowed to teach in government schools. In Japan, to be assigned as a teacher to teach in public schools or registered private schools, you must be a registered teacher. For government schools, the teacher MUST speak Japanese and acquire teaching qualifications from regulatory authorities in Japan. For private schools whose students are Japanese, the same policy applies. Where it gets different is international schools. Private schools will employ you if you have INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNISED teaching qualifications and INTERNATIONAL teaching EXPERIENCE. You use English to teach the students. I have met a Ghanaian woman whose husband teaches English at a nearby international school. I don't know his qualifications, but from what I read, the minimum is an MSc, whether obtained abroad or in Japan.

It is a highly competitive position as White people, both genders, are the dominant foreign group in that category - teaching in international schools. But if you are qualified, the process is largely meritocratic. This is why internationally recognised teaching experience and qualifications are important. Imagine teaching in top private schools in Lagos, Abuja and Port-harcourt? That is how it is.



Yes. But if your employment is the regular English teaching role, aka JAMB/WASSCE tutor, then your visa application for dependants could be denied. The salary is not high and takes a long time to get increases. The majority of such people are very young, usually below 27. Mostly White people who want to get a foot in Japan and do it for the love and kini kon culture of Japan. Don't depend on it entirely as a means of living to the point of inviting dependants.

However, I have been told of a man who was a MEXT scholar for the Teaching Program (sponsored by the Japanese government) who after his scholarship got a job to teach English then later brought his wife and two children. The person who told me this was a recipient of the same scholarship and recently got married, then brought his wife. He too teaches English. I don't know their salaries, but to me, it would be too low to support a spouse and two children. Maybe their salaries have increased or they have increased responsibilities, but it depends. I have seen MEXT Scholars (the ones who attend universities for MSc and PhD) have their families with them. So, it can be possible, but is dependent on the discretion of the immigration authorities. Just that for me? I no fit.

P.S. The entry salary for regular English teachers, aka JAMB/WASSCE tutors is Y250K per month before taxes. MEXT Scholarship stipend is Y150K (tax free). MEXT Scholars don't pay tuition or flight fees. Regular English teachers are taxed as normal workers. Yes, they are seen as workers in the eyes of the government. Compared to other developed countries, salaries in Japan are generally low. However, the cost of living is way lower compared to those developed countries. The difference is that workers who work in sectors other than regular English teaching get bonuses twice annually, increments once per annum and paid overtime. Regular English teachers don't receive these benefits. It is the standard teachers who receive such.



Yes, as I have explained in previous pages, the organisation you want to work for or study at is the one who applies for your visa at the prefectural (say Imo State) immigration office. After submitting the required details, the immigration office sends the COE to the organisation who then sends it to you the applicant to use during the visa application. Without the COE, you cannot apply for a work or study visa at any Japanese embassy. Without the COE which gets converted to Residence Card at the airport, LIFE WOULD BE MISERABLE HERE.



For dependants, that is on YOU. This time, you are the one applying for YOUR dependants to come here. Your financial capabilities would be assessed. If approved, the immigration office sends you the COE, which you send to your dependants. If denied, there is nothing you can do other than re-apply. You cannot appeal the denial nor would the reason for the denial be explained to you.

Thank you so much for the information.

Please what's all this am hearing about japan denying Nigerians entering the country with tourist visa?

Please is the information true or false?