I think I’ve done my research, but I should probably double check before making a life-altering decision.
My wife and I want to move from the US to Japan. I currently earn ~$7,000USD per month passively (real estate + social media income). This income would not be affected by the move.
We want to achieve permanent residence (or citizenship) as soon as possible so that we can live in Japan without having to deal with the infamous work culture. Here is the current Plan A and B.
Plan A: Apply (and get accepted) to a Japanese MBA program, and move to Japan with a student visa for myself and dependent visa for my wife.
Completing the degree, along with my under-30 age, would grant me 50 HSP points toward PR. The remaining 20/30 I would achieve through some combination of passing N1, getting a decent-paying job, working at a small/medium enterprise, etc.
Once I gain PR, quit my Japanese job and live off the $7,000USD per month (while looking for more ways to work remotely).
Plan B: Same as Plan A, but if I’m unable to pass N1 or find a decent paying job after my MBA (I’ve heard MBAs aren’t valuable), then I would just work a poorly-paying job and apply for citizenship after 3 years. I know the 2 years in Japan under the student visa won’t count toward my PR requirement, but it should count toward citizenship.
And again, once granted citizenship I would focus on my US income streams and pay whatever taxes necessary.
I’d prefer PR to denouncing my US citizenship, but I’m certain I want to live in Japan and don’t think I can handle 10 years of a crappy job to get PR if I’m not HSP-qualifying.
Also, does having a baby in Japan change this equation at all? I’ve heard contradictory info.
Thanks.
by DoobTheGoob