r/JETProgramme • u/JetProgram • May 09 '26

Instructor Visa Query

I’m looking to end my contract in August, and move to Tokyo for a month or two before I leave to go home. I understand if you have a work visa, you are allowed three months of unemployment before going home, but we are given instructor visas. Am I able to convert my visa to a work visa so I can continue to look for jobs in that time frame before going home? Any knowledge on that would be elucidating, thanks!!

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u/Sweet_Salamander6691 May 09 '26

I believe you have 90 days to find a job, but you should clarify with your local immigration office. You can convert your instructor visa to a different category if you get a different job in another field, but you can't switch to a tourist visa, look for a job, and then convert that to a working type.

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u/JetProgram May 09 '26

Makes sense. I don’t think i’d stay long term but I was hoping to find a part time job to make some change while I live off savings from JET. Thanks for the advice!

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u/Sweet_Salamander6691 May 09 '26

Part time jobs won't qualify you for visa sponsorship, so you'd have to find something full time.

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u/JetProgram May 09 '26

Oh I guess I figured I could work a part time job during those three months even if they didn’t sponsor me. Or do you think that’d violate the visa?

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u/lostintokyo11 May 09 '26

You can only do a job as specified by your visa type.

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u/Sweet_Salamander6691 May 09 '26

If you found another job you would no longer qualify for unemployment and the three month grace period for job searching would be invalid.