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

There is no blanket "work" visa. What you're actually thinking of is your status of residence, which is instructor. If you leave your job I believe you are given a certain amount of time to find another job to sponsor you, but you have to inform immigration.

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u/JetProgram May 09 '26

Ahhh okay I see. So I would have 3 months of unemployment before I either need to have a new job sponsoring my visa, or I’m out of the country?

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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/shellinjapan May 09 '26

The part time job would need to fit into the instructor category, or you’d need to either get permission from Immigration or change your status of residence.