Paperwork and lots of paperwork
People underestimate the amount of mundane but essential work that's needed when you move to a new place. Which is why I think, short assignments and Business trips are way better options to experience new places than transferring there. But then, you miss out on the joys of day to day nuances and challenges.
Residency permit
What was formerly known as the "Alien Registration System", has now been revamped (and remarketed) as the new Residency Management System, which is definitely more welcoming to foreign workers. I was completely blown away on receiving my residency card on arrival, at the immigration counter at the Haneda airport. I thought I might have to queue up for hours at the Japan Immigration Office after arrival. It took them just 3 mins!
However, I later realized, I still had to register my address at the local municipal office to make the card valid.
Housing
This is tricky, especially if you are a foreigner. I had done a lot of research before moving on possible options, pricing, nuances etc. Typically you rely on an agent to find a house. The initial payout includes a deposit - 1 or 2 months of rent, key money - a non-refundable gift to the landlord, initial maintenance fees for cleaning and fixing the premise and the first month rent. You also need a guarantor which the agency can act, on a certain payment. And some of these terms can be negotiated.
My company, which is definitely more generous than other places acts as a guarantor and arranges an english speaking agent to help us find a house. The only issue was, I wasn't too keen on signing a 2 year lease. And houses that agents typically show foreigners are over priced and expensive.
Enter Sakura house. Their ad kept following me wherever I went (Thanks Google Remarketing Ads). I managed to found an apartments pretty close to work, within my budget. The apartment was a small studio ~18 sqft, fully furnished with shared bathrooms and washing machines. They were extremely foreigner friendly. Their reps spoke in international languages, their terms were simple and best of all, just 1 month move out notice. I would love to move into a bigger house, but this would do for a few months. I'll discuss Housing economics in more detail some other time but this was the most optimized location-pricing option I could find. So I took it.
Address Registration
You residence card is not valid unless it has your address verified and stamped by the local municipal office. In my case, Minato-ku. Like everywhere in Tokyo, administrative offices are really nice to Foreigners. They gave me a form (all in Japanese), told me to what to write, and promptly completed the process.
Re-entry permit
Once upon a time (till 6 months back), you needed a reentry permit to leave and re-enter Japan. With the new residency management system, you can re-enter the country anytime, as long as the duration of your departure is within a duration of 12 months. Had I know that I wouldn't have made the arduous journey all the way to the immigration office in Konan, Shinagawa.
A journey which familiarized me with Tokyo's wide network of public transport system. I took the metro, JR and a bus. And fair bit of walking.
Bank account
It took me 3 visits to the Citibank branch in Hiroo branch to get an account opened. But usually, if you have a residency permit stamped with your address, you should be fine. You could go to local Japanse banks but Citi has english speaking service reps. Though supremely polite, the process of opening an account and applying for a credit card took close to an hour to finish. My credit card would reach me later, in a months time, delivered to me personally, strictly onto my residential address.
Citibank Singapore was my first job after college. I am used to their super efficient service. Bank Account under 15 mins, and Credit card issued under 30 mins. So I had all the rights to be frustrated.
A tip on choosing the right bank. Mitsubishi, Mizuho and Mitsui are the largest local banks here with the widest branch and ATM network. Your employer might have special tie up with some of these, in my case Citibank, which gives you waiver on ATM usage, minimum balance, bank transfers etc. Citi is more foreigner friendly. They have tie ups with other banks and convenient stores for ATM usage, however there may be additional charges. So do read through the details. Also, I was frustrated that I could not link my Singapore account with my Japan account. Wonder if it works in HSBC?
My salary and relocation bonus would reach me, a month later, in Japanese yen, into my Citi Account :)
People underestimate the amount of mundane but essential work that's needed when you move to a new place. Which is why I think, short assignments and Business trips are way better options to experience new places than transferring there. But then, you miss out on the joys of day to day nuances and challenges.
Residency permit
What was formerly known as the "Alien Registration System", has now been revamped (and remarketed) as the new Residency Management System, which is definitely more welcoming to foreign workers. I was completely blown away on receiving my residency card on arrival, at the immigration counter at the Haneda airport. I thought I might have to queue up for hours at the Japan Immigration Office after arrival. It took them just 3 mins!
However, I later realized, I still had to register my address at the local municipal office to make the card valid.
Housing
This is tricky, especially if you are a foreigner. I had done a lot of research before moving on possible options, pricing, nuances etc. Typically you rely on an agent to find a house. The initial payout includes a deposit - 1 or 2 months of rent, key money - a non-refundable gift to the landlord, initial maintenance fees for cleaning and fixing the premise and the first month rent. You also need a guarantor which the agency can act, on a certain payment. And some of these terms can be negotiated.
My company, which is definitely more generous than other places acts as a guarantor and arranges an english speaking agent to help us find a house. The only issue was, I wasn't too keen on signing a 2 year lease. And houses that agents typically show foreigners are over priced and expensive.
Enter Sakura house. Their ad kept following me wherever I went (Thanks Google Remarketing Ads). I managed to found an apartments pretty close to work, within my budget. The apartment was a small studio ~18 sqft, fully furnished with shared bathrooms and washing machines. They were extremely foreigner friendly. Their reps spoke in international languages, their terms were simple and best of all, just 1 month move out notice. I would love to move into a bigger house, but this would do for a few months. I'll discuss Housing economics in more detail some other time but this was the most optimized location-pricing option I could find. So I took it.
Address Registration
You residence card is not valid unless it has your address verified and stamped by the local municipal office. In my case, Minato-ku. Like everywhere in Tokyo, administrative offices are really nice to Foreigners. They gave me a form (all in Japanese), told me to what to write, and promptly completed the process.
Re-entry permit
Once upon a time (till 6 months back), you needed a reentry permit to leave and re-enter Japan. With the new residency management system, you can re-enter the country anytime, as long as the duration of your departure is within a duration of 12 months. Had I know that I wouldn't have made the arduous journey all the way to the immigration office in Konan, Shinagawa.
A journey which familiarized me with Tokyo's wide network of public transport system. I took the metro, JR and a bus. And fair bit of walking.
Bank account
It took me 3 visits to the Citibank branch in Hiroo branch to get an account opened. But usually, if you have a residency permit stamped with your address, you should be fine. You could go to local Japanse banks but Citi has english speaking service reps. Though supremely polite, the process of opening an account and applying for a credit card took close to an hour to finish. My credit card would reach me later, in a months time, delivered to me personally, strictly onto my residential address.
Citibank Singapore was my first job after college. I am used to their super efficient service. Bank Account under 15 mins, and Credit card issued under 30 mins. So I had all the rights to be frustrated.
A tip on choosing the right bank. Mitsubishi, Mizuho and Mitsui are the largest local banks here with the widest branch and ATM network. Your employer might have special tie up with some of these, in my case Citibank, which gives you waiver on ATM usage, minimum balance, bank transfers etc. Citi is more foreigner friendly. They have tie ups with other banks and convenient stores for ATM usage, however there may be additional charges. So do read through the details. Also, I was frustrated that I could not link my Singapore account with my Japan account. Wonder if it works in HSBC?
My salary and relocation bonus would reach me, a month later, in Japanese yen, into my Citi Account :)
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