Hi! My name is Jay and recently I got engaged! My Fiancé is in the Air force and is stationed in Japan for the next three years, we will be getting married about half way through this time. Ive been learning Korean for a year but not Japanize, and im going to school in the states for cosmetology. I have been looking online to see if when I get my license it can be transferred to japan as well?
im at a point where im scared to go to school only for it to not be of use when we finally get to live together. Id feel terrible having my husband taking care of most of the cost of living. do you guys have any advice? or ideas for a job in Japan?
2 comments
Before you get married you unfortunately have effectively zero options. SOFA does not cover girlfriends/fiances, so the only way you could join him in Japan is to get your own job that would sponsor your visa. Cosmetology is not going to be an option, as there is no visa class for that profession.
Once you get married you will be on SOFA (Status Of Forces Agreement) status, which is a unique status that stands outside the normal Japanese immigration system. We’re not very well equipped to give advice on that. Best to consult various military sources for that.
Once you’re on SOFA status you’re still not going to have a lot of options. Cosmetology is a licensed profession in Japan, and you cannot just “transfer” your license. You would need to pass the Japanese licensing exam… Which is only offered in Japanese.
**EDIT:** If you have a degree, you could get a job as an English teacher pre-marriage. That would support a visa. It’s also an option post-marriage, though it may be difficult to find a job, as the market for English teachers in the areas around the major bases is saturated.
Might wanna get married at the courthouse real quick so you can actual be in his orders to japan, cause as of right now (if you aren’t already married on paper) you aren’t going