Visa application - ESL Teaching

mks24 · Tue 07-Feb-06, 03:30 AM

Hi all!

I am a newbie to this forum, and would like some help. I am asian (chinese) and have grown up in Australia nearly all my life. I have a Bachelors degree in Commerce and am an MCSE (Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer), but i do not have other certificates (TEFL, TESOL etc.) and have no English teaching experience. Having no strong obligation in staying in Australia, going to another Japan is flexible in terms of time and when i am able to go.
Willing to work and experience life as an English teacher in Japan, I have questions regarding visa application. I currently am a permanent resident of Australia, but my citizenship and passport is Malaysian. Does place of residency, citizenship and passport have any bearing on applying for and getting a working visa for an English teaching job in Japan? Are there any steps anyone can reccomend i should take in enquiring about information?
What is the best way in going about applying and seeking teaching jobs? Since im a newbie is it best to start off with the big chains ie Nova, Aeon etc etc.
Sorry if these questions have been asked a million times

Thanks!

gfell · Tue 07-Feb-06, 10:16 AM

Hello mks24 and welcome!

You will find it difficult to get a work visa for teaching English in Japan since you hold a Malaysian passport.

The Japan visa office wont even take a look at your application for a humanitarian visa (type of visa English teachers apply for). But you couldn't blame them because Malaysia isn't an English speaking country, hence although you have lived in Australia for most of your life, they wont even look at this. They have to draw the line somewhere, and specifically require applicants to hold a passport from an English speaking country.

Not all is lost though. Have you considered applying for an Australian passport? You may be eligible since you have lived most your life in Australia. If you do get an Australian passport, then all is solved, and you can live your dream as an English teacher in Japan.

Hope I've answered your question.

8Ball · Tue 07-Feb-06, 02:38 PM

Hey mks24.

I was in a similiar position to you just several weeks ago, asian background, uni graduate, no English teaching certificates, except I hold an Australian passport. Like gfell said, you'll definately need a passport from an English speaking country.

In terms of applying for a job, TEFL and TESOL certificates are usually not requirements, but having one is an advantage. Same goes for teaching experience. It'll usually be stated if it is a requirement if you have a look at some of the job advertisements on this forum. When applying for jobs, just send out as many applications as you can (obviously given you meet the requirements), since you have nothing to lose except a few minutes of your time. Don't get depressed though when you don't get replies, because honestly, only about 5% of mine replied. Luckily, I stuck with it and now I actually have two job offers that I'm trying to decide between.

So, best of luck to you!

Tue 07-Feb-06, 03:30 AM	#1 (permalink)
mks24 ESL Newbie Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 1	Visa application Hi all! I am a newbie to this forum, and would like some help. I am asian (chinese) and have grown up in Australia nearly all my life. I have a Bachelors degree in Commerce and am an MCSE (Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer), but i do not have other certificates (TEFL, TESOL etc.) and have no English teaching experience. Having no strong obligation in staying in Australia, going to another Japan is flexible in terms of time and when i am able to go. Willing to work and experience life as an English teacher in Japan, I have questions regarding visa application. I currently am a permanent resident of Australia, but my citizenship and passport is Malaysian. Does place of residency, citizenship and passport have any bearing on applying for and getting a working visa for an English teaching job in Japan? Are there any steps anyone can reccomend i should take in enquiring about information? What is the best way in going about applying and seeking teaching jobs? Since im a newbie is it best to start off with the big chains ie Nova, Aeon etc etc. Sorry if these questions have been asked a million times Thanks!

Tue 07-Feb-06, 10:16 AM	#2 (permalink)
gfell Administrator Join Date: May 2005 Nationality: American Occupation: Teacher Location: Posts: 654	Teaching in Japan - Visas Hello mks24 and welcome! You will find it difficult to get a work visa for teaching English in Japan since you hold a Malaysian passport. The Japan visa office wont even take a look at your application for a humanitarian visa (type of visa English teachers apply for). But you couldn't blame them because Malaysia isn't an English speaking country, hence although you have lived in Australia for most of your life, they wont even look at this. They have to draw the line somewhere, and specifically require applicants to hold a passport from an English speaking country. Not all is lost though. Have you considered applying for an Australian passport? You may be eligible since you have lived most your life in Australia. If you do get an Australian passport, then all is solved, and you can live your dream as an English teacher in Japan. Hope I've answered your question. __________________ English Teacher and Student Site Teach English and Study Abroad! Teaching Community at Teacher Forums ESL Teacher and Student Directory!

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Tue 07-Feb-06, 02:38 PM	#3 (permalink)
8Ball Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Occupation: Teacher Location: Posts: 7	Hey mks24. I was in a similiar position to you just several weeks ago, asian background, uni graduate, no English teaching certificates, except I hold an Australian passport. Like gfell said, you'll definately need a passport from an English speaking country. In terms of applying for a job, TEFL and TESOL certificates are usually not requirements, but having one is an advantage. Same goes for teaching experience. It'll usually be stated if it is a requirement if you have a look at some of the job advertisements on this forum. When applying for jobs, just send out as many applications as you can (obviously given you meet the requirements), since you have nothing to lose except a few minutes of your time. Don't get depressed though when you don't get replies, because honestly, only about 5% of mine replied. Luckily, I stuck with it and now I actually have two job offers that I'm trying to decide between. So, best of luck to you!

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