Seeking advices on my Japan moving plan

4 comments

1. This is a copy of your post for archive/search purposes.

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   **Seeking advices on my Japan moving plan**

   Hello,

   I am a 31 years old software developer with 7 years exp. I always wanted to move to Japan and even live there for the rest of my life. The big reasons are I really like the anime/games or the creative culture in Japan in general, affordable living standard, jobs opportunities in software industries and the cities density.

   I have been searching for dev jobs in Japan for the last year but without much luck.
   So I have quit my job and decided to move there directly this Oct. Actively looking for dev jobs while attending language school.

   I will attend a year of language school, two short-terms ( tourist visa ) + 6-month student visa.

   These will be my goals in the following years
   1. Actively start finding dev jobs once I landed Japan. (If I am offered a job and get a working visa sponsored, I will return to my home country and wait for the working visa. And If I secure a job offer while on the student visa, I will wait for visa status conversion.)
   2. Get N1 and be able to speak better Japanese ( I have N2 already )
   3. Connect with local tech communities.
   4. See if I really like Japan and willing to stay there long term.

   The reason I am so hurried is that if things do not turn out nicely, I can quickly focus on another life plan ( moving to Canada ) and can minimize the risk and money spent.

   There are some questions I have with this plan that may need some opinions.
   1. Will there be any legal issues or things that I need to consider when obtaining the work visa during my language school time?
   2. Anyone who had similar experiences and can share the journey?
   3. Or any advice in general for this plan? (This is quite a big life move for me, so I have some degree of worrying)

   Thank you for all the valuable input!

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2. > The big reasons are I really like the anime/games or the creative culture in Japan in general, affordable living standard, jobs opportunities in software industries

   > I have been searching for dev jobs in Japan for the last year but without much luck. So I have quit my job and decided to move there directly this Oct.

   I too like to risk everything with unfavourable odds.

   Your plan sounds fine in theory but it really depends on – you getting a job. I don’t see how you’re more attractive by being over there, because a prerequisite is usually – have a valid visa. Or they’ll sponsor you, and those companies can often hire from abroad.

   I just worry you’ll burn through your money and then not be able to do plan B. It’s always my go to for people here, but have you tried applying for PayPay? They’re always after engineers and sponsor talent.

3. > two short-terms ( tourist visa )
   >
   >Actively start finding dev jobs once I landed Japan.

   I mean, technically.. seeking employment while on a tourist visa is a breach of the terms of a tourist visa. You can interview etc while on a tourist visa provided the initial “seeking” was done while not on a tourist visa.

   But finding a job willing to sponsor a visa for software engineering isnt really easier if youre physically in Japan, most of the companies that will sponsor have their jobs promoted on quite a few places online and if they havent been getting back to you through there why would they if you are now in Japan?

   You dont mention if you have a degree or not, but im going to assume you do? based on 7 years experience and an age of 31 though, its possible you dont as you started your career after the traditional “finished uni age” but there could be many reasons for that.

4. > I have been searching for dev jobs in Japan for the last year but without much luck.

   Why’s that? Do you use an obscure programming language? Only know WordPress?

   Plenty of companies hire from overseas. In terms of opportunity availability, you aren’t going to find a great deal more options simply being here. There’s a huge difference between being “in Japan” versus being in Japan with a work visa. The former being no more beneficial for an employer than you being in your home country.