Specialist in Humanities Visa

Hi,

I've been an English Instructor at Berlitz Bangkok,Thailand for 4 years. I have dual citizenship Thai/American. I've lived in NYC for 18 years. I completed one year in uni and lack a BA degree. I can bypass the visa and working requirements because of my Thai citizenship.

I would like to transfer to Berlitz Tokyo but lack a degree. Do I qualify for a Specialist in Humanities visa? My company said that they are willing to sponsor my visa in Tokyo, as long as I pass the standard HR interviews.

But one manager said that my 4 years teaching experience is not in a Native Speaking Country, so it will be difficult for the immigrations to approve. Can someone advise me on this situation. Thank you so much for any input.

Regards

I don't know where your manager got his/her information from, but you need experience teaching English, not teaching in an English speaking country. Immigration treats situations like yours on a case-by-case basis anyway, so all you can do is try and see.

I don't think you gan get a working visa without an university degree in Japan.

Holthuijsen, you can get a Humanities visa if you have three or more years experience in the field you wish to work in, hence ErtJaffe's question.

It's a degree and/or the work experience- provided Immigration is happy with the evidence of work experience you provide, a degree is not needed.

Does anyone know anyone who actually gotten a visa based on their work experience?

I have seen posts from people who say they have on some of the Japan expat forums, but I don't know anyone personally.

I came to Japan 3yrs ago on the "Specialist Humanities" Visa. Had to fill out the the usual immigration paperwork, as well as supply various references from previous employers and documentation from employer in Japan. It's not a problem, as long as you can supply the required info to immigration, at least I found it not to be any issue....