Offer to work in Tokyo- some clarifications

[kottbullar]

[Mulboyne]

That's not a fortune but you can certainly live on that especially if you are young. By comparison, teaching English will get you close to $3,000 dollars a month

Is the company foreign or Japanese? Will they act as a guarantor for your apartment and offer any benefits?

Is your salary being paid in dollars? Your main expenses will be in yen so you will feel some pain if the dollar should weaken over the course of your stay.

[kottbullar]

This is an European company. They will pay me in Yen or my local currency, it's up to me to decide. I probably could negotiate other benefits as healthcare (is it expensive?).

The apartment will be payed for 6 months by them, after that I need to pay it on my own.

Also, I forgot to ask, but I think I will have to get a paper to state that I am married with my GF? (This may sound strange but in my country, legally, if you live with someone you have the same status as married, and if you come from another country with you partner the visa is handled in the same way as if you were married).

[baka tono]

[GomiGirl]

If your apartment is included then this is a fairly good gig. Definitely get expat health insurance included. It is over $1,500 a year for full coverage including evacuation should you get very ill.

If you want your GF to come on a spouse visa then you will need to be married. Legally married - Japan doesn't recognise de facto or living together. Even if she has a spouse visa she can only legally work 20 hours per week. She will be considered a "dependant".

She could get her own visa - you didn't mention your ages or your nationalities so the rules are different. Easiest way is for her to get a job (if she has a degree) to get her sponsored or if she has enough part time work to self sponsor. She can come for 3 months on a tourist visa to check things out for herself anyway. She is not allowed to work on a tourist visa but it gives her time to find a job and a sponsor - IT work is fairly good but depends on her field.

Good luck!! Welcome to the land of sushi and spraying toilets!!

[FG Lurker]

I think it comes down to what sort of other bennifets the company is offering you.

Is the salary $4000/month total, with no bonuses or bennifets? Will the company help pay your rent and provide you with a car? What about trips home etc?

The situation with your GF is a tough one. It's not a case of "if" she can find a job... She must find a job, otherwise she isn't going to have a visa and therefore can not stay in Japan. If you were married she can get a spousal visa of sorts, which would also allow her to work part time. Her ability to find a job will depend totally on her background, experience, and qualifications. There are lots of IT-jobs in Tokyo though, she should be able to land something.

[kottbullar]

So, I talked once more to the company's HR. They give the full 6 months for the apartment, and after that they cover half of it up to ~800 dollars. There is medical, but not dental include. No car as well, but I knew that already (she referred some transportation help, but is not sure about that). One trip home per year, and moving to and back expenses included.

I'm from Sweden, and so is my GF. She is finishing her master degree, but don't have much prior experience. I guess it would be a very difficult situation for her. Perhaps we can get the "married" papers, but first of all I need to talk to her. I also guess since she would be searching for a job by herself, Japanese language would be quite an obstacle.

Well, thanks for all responses. If we eventually move, I'll pay you guys a beer.

[omae mona]

Since they seem to be wiling to help out on housing, try to get your company to put up the deposit for the apartment (should eventually be refunded, but could be as much as 6 months rent). They should also pay the key money, if any, which will simply disappear into the landlord's wallet.

[Jack]

My experience with non-working gaijin spouses in Japan has been that they don't like it there. It's fine for you to be away working and meeting people but she would likely stay home watching Japanese TV. She will get bored. Best if you go to Tokyo alone for work and visit back your home country as often as practical. Unless, of course, she can also find some work. Is English your native language? She could easily teach English.

[kottbullar]

So, here is my update on this situation: after checking all possibilities, my wife was quite shy on going to Japan due to all things she would probably had to go through. She also got a job offer, and she is thinking in accepting it. I think I'll have to postpone my idea to work abroad for a while (or separate )

[Mulboyne]

Thanks for the update. That's no bad thing. Of course, if your relationship goes well and you get married then it is game on again with Japan and no visa hassles.