Im aware that obtaining a work visa usually requires a bachelor’s degree unless you possess over 10 years of experience in the field (Some of my friends did it in 7 – 8). Currently, I have 5 years of experience and am working as a full-time Software Engineer, I quit and im now a freelancer/contract worker in iOS Engineer. I have a substantial portfolio to showcase my work, references available if needed, and my own company registered under my name for 2 years now.
I’m curious if this level of experience would qualify as ‘relevant experience’ for a work visa as it pays my day to day bills.
NOTE: I’m a Canadian citizen and i speak japanese fluently.
4 comments
This is a copy of your post for archive/search purposes.
—
**Self taught software engineer looking to move to japan without degree.**
Im aware that obtaining a work visa usually requires a bachelor’s degree unless you possess over 10 years of experience in the field (Some of my friends did it in 7 – 8). Currently, I have 5 years of experience and am working as a full-time Software Engineer, I quit and im now a freelancer/contract worker in iOS Engineer. I have a substantial portfolio to showcase my work, references available if needed, and my own company registered under my name for 2 years now.
I’m curious if this level of experience would qualify as ‘relevant experience’ for a work visa as it pays my day to day bills.
NOTE: I’m a Canadian citizen and i speak japanese fluently.
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/movingtojapan) if you have any questions or concerns.*
No, even if it is, it is generally very difficult. You can look around the subreddit. It is not about convincing the company to support your visa, it is about convincing IMMIGRATION.
>Im aware that obtaining a work visa usually requires a bachelor’s degree unless you possess over 10 years of experience in the field
You just answered your own question. The law says [10 years of experience](https://www.japaneselawtranslation.go.jp/en/laws/view/3626).
Have you searched the subreddit, per Rule 2? Because [we have discussed this question](https://www.reddit.com/r/movingtojapan/search/?q=move%20to%20japan%20without%20degree&restrict_sr=1) many, *many,* ***many*** times before.
>Some of my friends did it in 7 – 8
>
>Currently, I have 5 years of experience
They were granted exceptions. It’s not uncommon. But there is a *huge* difference between “almost there” (7-8 years) and ***half the required amount***.
>I quit and im now a freelancer/contract worker in iOS Engineer
Considering that you need to actually *verify* your work experience in order to get a visa using this route you may well have screwed yourself.
Immigration requires verifiable relevant work experience. That means letters from employers showing how long you worked for them and in what capacity. Self-employment is inherently not verifiable.
>I’m curious if this level of experience would qualify as ‘relevant experience’ for a work visa as it pays my day to day bills.
See above.
[removed]