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Volunteer Visas, valid for a period of one year from the date of issue, will be issued to persons who satisfy all of the following requirements: |
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Be British Citizens who are resident in the United Kingdom |
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Intend to work for one year as a volunteer (the scope of permissible activities does not include administration, food preparation, laundry and other manual work. Also a person qualified as a doctor or nurse in the UK may not practice or use their medical knowledge in anyway without the necessary Japanese qualification) |
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Only work for an organisation that meets the required criteria (to include national or public organisations, NGOs, the Red Cross, social welfare organisations, non-profit organisations and public service providers.) |
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Receive no payment (It is permitted for volunteers to receive a small amount of pocket money and in some cases board and lodging.) |
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Be persons who are not accompanied by children |
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Be persons who are not accompanied by spouses unless those spouses are in possession of a Volunteer Visa or otherwise |
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Possess a valid passport and a return travel ticket or sufficient funds with which to purchase such a ticket |
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Possess reasonable funds for their maintenance during the period of initial stay in Japan |
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Intend to leave Japan at the end of their stay |
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Have good health |
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Those wishing to apply for a Volunteer Visa are required to submit, along with a valid UK passport, one copy each of the following documents to the appropriate consular missions of the Government of Japan in the United Kingdom. Statements made in these documents must be true and accurate.
(In the case of presenting a Certificate of Eligibility issued by the Ministry of Justice in Japan, only 1,2 and 3 of the below required documents together with a photocopy of the Certificate of Eligibility are required in principle.) |
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1. |
Valid UK passport (British Citizen) |
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One completed visa application form (Sample) |
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One passport-sized photograph approx. 35mm x 45mm (taken within the last 6 months) |
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Confirmation letter from the applicant's charitable organisation listed above in Applicant Prerequisites |
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Brochure/prospectus of the organisation (e.g. name, address, outline of attached institution, name of a representative, number of staff etc.) |
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Document stating a summary of activities at the organisation, location, timetable etc. |
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Document stating the treatment at the organisation (details should mention payment including living, board, travelling expenses and any amounts of pocket money to be given etc.)
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Appropriate evidence of either a travel ticket to and from Japan or a confirmed reservation of travel to and from Japan along with appropriate evidence such as copies of the bank statement, traveller's cheques etc. |
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Schedule of activities in Japan after the voluntary work has ended |
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In some cases, additional documents may be required. |
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Applications must be made in person and applicants may be interviewed.
Visa applicants living in North England (Northumberland, Durham, Cumbria, Tyne and Wear and Cleveland) and Scotland must apply to the Consulate-General of Japan at Edinburgh. |
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A visa fee must be paid in exchange for the visa issued. |
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It is recommended that appropriate insurance cover be arranged before leaving the United Kingdom, as under the conditions of engagement for the Volunteer Visa the period of the activity is usually not long enough to qualify for coverage provided by the organisations.
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Volunteer Visas are for single entry. Therefore, if the Volunteer Visa holder has to leave Japan for any reason and wishes to return to Japan, it is essential that the person obtain a re-entry permit at a regional immigration bureau before leaving Japan.
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Within 14 days of moving into an address in Japan, Volunteer Visa holders must apply for Resident Registration at a local government office near to where they are living (further details).
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Arriving in Japan, Volunteer Visa holders should register with the British Embassy in Tokyo or the British Consulate-General at Osaka. This will mean that the Embassy or Consulate know the whereabouts of Volunteer Visa holders in Japan so that they can try to help in the case of an accident or emergency. Please keep your registration with the Embassy or the Consulate-General up to date and inform them of any change of details or address. Also please let them know when you leave Japan permanently. For further information, contact the Embassy or the Consulate-General. |
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