Hello! I'm TJ, CEO of Alpha Advisors!

Today, I'll provide a detailed explanation about "How to Immigrate to Japan" for international individuals considering moving to Japan from countries like China, Korea, India, Taiwan, and elsewhere. At Alpha Advisors, we've supported the careers of over 80,000 members through MBA, university and graduate school admissions, job hunting, and career change support for more than 17 years. Our YouTube channel has surpassed 17,000 subscribers, and we have extensive experience supporting international clients. We've helped numerous candidates secure positions at top domestic and international companies, including Mitsubishi Corporation, Goldman Sachs, McKinsey, BlackRock, and more.

In recent years, we've seen a significant increase in inquiries from international individuals saying "I want to work in Japan" or "I want to immigrate to Japan," and Alpha is fully committed to supporting these individuals. In this article, I'll clearly introduce important topics such as the three main routes to immigrate to Japan, characteristics of companies hiring foreigners with high salaries, and the process and key points for obtaining permanent residency. If you're thinking "I want to build a career in Japan" or "I want to try living in Japan," please read until the end. If you're interested, please apply for a free consultation with Alpha Advisors!

We will support your "Japan Immigration × Career Advancement" with all our effort!

For free consultation, click here! > Free Consultation

Three Main Routes for Foreigners to Immigrate to Japan

For foreigners seeking to live in Japan long-term and eventually obtain permanent residency, there are three common routes: "Japanese University (Undergraduate) Study Route," "Japanese Graduate School Route," and "Direct Employment Route." I'll explain each route in detail, including necessary procedures, visa types and conditions, required educational backgrounds and skills, trends in companies that readily hire foreigners, and the path to obtaining permanent residency.

1. Japanese University (Undergraduate) Study Route

◎ Required Steps and Process

This route involves enrolling as an international student in a Japanese university undergraduate program and finding employment in Japan after graduation. The main steps are as follows:

◯ University Application Preparation
With a high school diploma from your home country, you can apply to Japanese universities. Many universities require results from the Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students (EJU) or the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT), as well as university-specific entrance exams. Application requirements typically include completion of 12 years of school education (high school graduation) and a certain level of Japanese language proficiency. Recently, some universities offer degree programs taught entirely in English, but Japanese language skills are often still required for daily life in Japan.

◯ Acceptance and Visa Acquisition
After being accepted to your desired university, the university will apply for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) on your behalf at the Immigration Bureau. To obtain a student visa, you'll need to take this COE and your passport to a Japanese diplomatic mission (Embassy or Consulate) in your country. During the visa application, you'll need to prove your financial ability to cover tuition and living expenses (through bank statements or proof of income). Student visas can be granted for up to "4 years and 3 months."

◯ University Student Life
During your studies, you'll attend lectures and take exams while improving your Japanese language skills and specialized knowledge. Classes are generally conducted in Japanese, so you'll develop strong Japanese language skills including for daily life (even in English programs, Japanese language acquisition is advantageous for employment). Many international students also get permission to work part-time up to 28 hours per week, which provides an opportunity to learn about Japanese workplace culture.

◯ Job Hunting (Shukatsu)
In Japanese universities, job hunting for new graduates typically begins around the third year. University career centers provide support for international students through resume review services and company information sessions, and the government has also strengthened employment support for international students. In the hiring process for Japanese companies, international students typically undergo interviews and written exams in Japanese, just like Japanese students. Therefore, the Japanese language skills acquired during four years of study at a Japanese university become key to finding employment. In practice, there's little special treatment for being "a foreigner," and candidates tend to be evaluated based on their Japanese language proficiency and professional skills. However, global companies and some progressive firms may conduct recruitment in English.

◯ Changing Visa Status (Obtaining a Work Visa)
To work in Japan after graduation, you need to change your status of residence from "Student" to a work-eligible status. Once you've received a job offer, you apply for a change of residence status at the Immigration Bureau. The most common work visa is "Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services," which covers a wide range of white-collar positions such as engineering roles, corporate administrative positions, and international business roles. The requirements include a university degree (bachelor's) or equivalent educational background, or more than 10 years of practical experience, and job duties must be specialized. Since university graduates meet the educational requirements, international students on this route can apply without issues. Once permission is granted, you'll receive a work visa and can begin working as a full-time employee in Japan (initial work visas are typically issued for 1 or 3 years).

◯ <Supplementary Information> If Unemployed at Graduation
If you haven't secured employment by graduation, international students can extend their stay under the "Designated Activities (Job Hunting)" residence status. This allows you to continue job hunting for up to one year after graduation, with the possibility of renewal every 6 months. This enables you to continue your job search in Japan without immediately returning to your home country. However, you'll need to cover your living expenses during this period, so planning your job hunt carefully is necessary.

◯ Starting Work in Japan and Steps Toward Settlement
After obtaining a work visa and beginning employment, you'll build a stable work history and establish your foundation for living in Japan. As a salaried employee, you'll pay into social insurance and taxes, formally participating in Japanese society. If you wish to live in Japan long-term, you can consider applying for permanent residency after a certain period of residence.

2. Japanese Graduate School Route

◎ Required Steps and Process

This route allows you to build a career in Japan by studying at a Japanese graduate school (master's or doctoral program) after graduating from a university in your home country, even if you haven't completed undergraduate studies in Japan. Recently, Japanese graduate schools have been actively accepting international students and offering many English-language programs. The main difference from Route 1 is that you obtain a higher academic degree before seeking employment.

◯ Graduate School Application
A bachelor's degree from your home country is a prerequisite (or you can advance directly to graduate school from a Japanese undergraduate program). The application process varies by graduate school, but typically includes contacting potential academic advisors, preparing a research proposal, submitting TOEFL or other English test scores, or taking graduate school entrance exams (written tests and interviews). If applying for government scholarships such as MEXT, additional procedures like embassy recommendations may be required.

◯ Obtaining a Student Visa
After acceptance to a graduate school, you apply for a "Student" residence status visa. The graduate school will apply for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) on your behalf, which you'll use to obtain your visa in your home country. Required documents and proof of financial support are similar to undergraduate study. Master's programs typically last 2 years and doctoral programs 3-5 years, with corresponding visa periods. Graduate students can also work part-time with proper permission.

◯ Research and Student Life at Graduate School
In master's or doctoral programs, you'll focus on research in your specialized field. Under your academic advisor, you'll write papers and conduct research projects, with opportunities for academic presentations and collaborative research with companies, providing advanced academic and practical experience. Classes and research supervision are conducted in Japanese or English, but reading and discussing in Japanese may be necessary for your specialized field. Even in English programs, many international students study Japanese with employment in mind, and in programs like MBAs, internships can sometimes lead directly to employment.

◯ Job Hunting
You'll begin job hunting in your second year of master's studies (or final year of doctoral studies). As a new graduate, the basic process is similar to undergraduate students, but there are employment opportunities specific to graduate degree holders. For example, research positions or highly specialized roles often require "master's degree or higher" as an application requirement, and corporate research laboratories, consulting firms, and advanced IT companies value graduate research experience. Recently, there has been an increasing trend of doctoral degree holders finding employment in the private sector or as researchers, expanding career paths beyond academia. MBA graduates may be hired as management candidates at foreign-affiliated companies or Japanese global corporations.

◯ Changing Visa Status (Obtaining a Work Visa)
Once you secure employment, you'll change your residence status from "Student" to a work visa. In most cases, like undergraduate graduates, the "Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services" visa applies, but master's or doctoral degrees can work advantageously for visa applications. Doctoral degree holders may also qualify for "Researcher" or "Professor" visas. Additionally, under the Highly Skilled Professional Points System, master's degrees add 20 points and doctoral degrees add 30 points, potentially allowing a change to the Highly Skilled Professional visa if other conditions are met. With this visa, your period of stay is uniformly 5 years, and you can bring family members or invite parents. For young specialists, early permanent residency applications become possible.

◯ Working and Settling in Japan
After obtaining a work visa and beginning employment, you'll proceed to integrate into Japanese society like undergraduate graduates. Doctoral graduates may remain at universities or research institutions as postdoctoral researchers before moving to companies, or may use their expertise to start businesses and obtain a "Business Manager" visa. As you gain experience as a specialist and build a stable life foundation, you'll be prepared for long-term residence and permanent residency.

3. Direct Immigration as a Professional

◎ Required Steps and Process

This route involves moving to Japan directly as a worker (professional) from the beginning and aiming for permanent settlement without attending school. People who already have certain educational backgrounds or work experience in their home countries often choose this route. The overall flow is as follows:

◯ Gathering Job Information and Applying
To work directly in Japan, you first need to find an employer. Methods include using recruitment agencies or job sites (with English support), being scouted on LinkedIn, or participating in overseas job fairs organized by the Japanese government or private organizations (e.g., JOB Expo). Also, coming to Japan through internal transfers (intra-company transfers) from a Japanese company's local subsidiary in your home country to its headquarters in Japan is possible.

◯ Securing a Job Offer and Certificate of Eligibility Procedures
After receiving a job offer, you'll enter into an employment contract with the company, and the company will apply for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) at the Immigration Bureau. This is a mandatory procedure when hiring foreigners, and the job duties and the company's support system will be examined. Educational certificates, work history documents, and company overview materials are required. Once the COE is issued, you can obtain a visa at a Japanese Embassy or Consulate.

◯ Maintaining and Renewing Residence Status
Most work visas are valid for 1 or 3 years (recently 5-year visas have increased). To continue your stay, you must apply for an extension of period of stay before expiration. Changing jobs within the same field is generally not a problem, but a change of residence status is necessary if your job type or industry changes significantly. Some people also change to spouse visas due to marriage or childbirth.

◯ Long-Term Residence and Preparation for Settlement
As you continue working in Japan and establish your living foundation (housing, family, etc.), you can consider applying for permanent residency. Since there is no study period in this route, it's common to aim for permanent residency application after about 10 years of employment. Highly skilled professionals may be eligible to apply in a shorter period.

◯ Important Considerations
While it's possible to move to Japan by finding employment directly, obtaining a Japanese MBA before working at a Japanese company offers the highest certainty. This is because it provides advantages in terms of visa and job hunting. As a foreigner, you can participate in the Boston Career Forum, where Japanese companies and foreign companies in Japan recruit, and apply for Japanese companies. The Boston Career Forum includes global foreign companies like Goldman Sachs and McKinsey, as well as global Japanese companies like Mitsubishi Corporation and Toyota, offering greater employment opportunities. While Japanese MBAs are good, you can also participate in the Boston Career Forum from overseas MBA programs, so please consult with Alpha Advisors about this strategy.

Types of Visas Available and Application Requirements

(1) Student Visa (Status of Residence: "Student")
This residence status is for studying at Japanese universities, vocational schools, Japanese language schools, etc. The maximum period of stay is 4 years and 3 months, granted according to your enrollment period. The application requires an acceptance letter from a Japanese educational institution and a Certificate of Eligibility (COE). Proof of financial ability to cover tuition and living expenses is also required, with approximately 1.2-1.5 million yen in bank statements recommended as a guideline for annual living and tuition costs. Upon entering Japan with this student visa, a residence card will be issued (at the airport). While full-time work is generally not permitted on a student visa, you can work part-time up to 28 hours per week with permission for activities outside your visa status.

(2) Various Work Visas (Status of Residence: "Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services", etc.)
This is the most common residence status obtained after graduating from a Japanese university to work as a full-time employee. The application requires a job offer (employment contract) from a Japanese company, and your activities must fall within the scope of the visa. For example, "Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services" requires that your job be related to your university major (though this has become more flexible in recent years). It's also important that your salary be equal to or greater than that of Japanese employees. Once you obtain this work visa, you can work at that company for the duration of your residence period, and if you change jobs, you'll need to apply for a new change of status of residence.

(3) Designated Activities Visa (for Japanese University Graduates)
This is a special work qualification recently established for international students who have graduated from Japanese universities or graduate schools. The condition is to have high Japanese language proficiency equivalent to JLPT N1, and once obtained, it significantly relaxes job type restrictions. This allows you to work in jobs that are not typically permitted under regular work visas, such as restaurant staff, retail work, and caregiving - essentially blue-collar jobs.

Requirements for this visa include:
- Obtaining a degree from a Japanese university (excluding junior colleges) or graduate school
- Having full-time employment
- Receiving a salary equal to or higher than Japanese nationals
- Having N1-level Japanese language proficiency

The maximum period of stay is 5 years, and family accompaniment is permitted. This visa expands the range of industries where international students can work, opening paths to work as regular employees in convenience stores or the food service industry, for example. While the requirement for N1-level language proficiency sets a high bar, it's an attractive option for international students who want to gain diverse experience in Japan.

(4) Highly Skilled Professional Visa
When seeking employment after graduation, you can change to this visa status if you score 70 points or more under the points system. For example, a doctoral degree (+30 points), annual income of 4 million yen (+10 points), age (under 30 for +15 points), and Japanese language proficiency N1 (+15 points) could exceed 70 points in total. This visa grants a 5-year period of stay from the first issuance, reducing the hassle of renewals, and allows for spouse work permits and bringing parents to Japan. With 80 points or more, permanent residency application becomes possible after just 1 year.

(5) Professor/Researcher Visa
Doctoral degree holders working as university faculty (assistant professors, lecturers, etc.) or researchers at companies/research institutions obtain the "Professor" or "Researcher" status of residence. Both are limited to specific duties, so visa change applications are necessary when changing jobs or job types.

(6) Business Manager Visa
Some MBA or doctoral degree holders aim to start businesses in Japan. In such cases, they need to obtain the "Business Manager" status of residence. The application requires meeting conditions such as capital of 5 million yen or more, securing a business office, and submitting an employment plan. Since starting a business immediately after graduation is difficult, many people first work for a company to gain practical experience and save funds before venturing into entrepreneurship.

Skills, Experience, and Educational Background Required in Japan

A major point regarding the skills, experience, and educational background required in Japan is "obtaining a bachelor's/master's degree." Graduating from a Japanese university confers a "bachelor's degree," which meets the basic educational requirements for applying for a work visa in Japan. In principle, this level of education is necessary for most occupations. Furthermore, studying at a Japanese university for four years naturally develops business-level Japanese language proficiency and adaptability to Japanese society. This becomes a significant advantage for foreigners and is highly valued during job hunting. Particularly in Japanese companies, which tend to prioritize future potential over immediate work readiness in new graduate recruitment, not only academic studies at university but also research activities in seminars, internships, and part-time work experiences become important selling points during interviews.

Additionally, international students become valuable bilingual talent for companies, understanding both their native language and culture as well as Japanese language and culture. They tend to be particularly valued in positions that can leverage this multicultural background. It's worth noting that graduating from a Japanese university is not absolutely necessary to work in Japan. In fact, many foreigners have successfully found employment at Japanese companies after obtaining bachelor's degrees in their home countries. Going through a Japanese university is merely one advantageous option, not an absolute requirement.

However, graduating from a Japanese university offers the following advantages:
- Easier navigation of the Japanese job hunting process
- Companies tend to feel more reassured by "Japanese university graduation"
- Assumption that you have acquired a certain level of Japanese language and business etiquette
- Access to university career support and alumni networks

Especially in Japan, where the culture of batch hiring of new graduates remains strong, recruitment through the new graduate framework has lower barriers even for international students, and younger candidates can expect better employment conditions.

Trends in Companies That Readily Hire Foreigners

Major Japanese companies and foreign-affiliated companies stand out as employers of foreigners. Many large companies affiliated with Keidanren (Japan Business Federation) hire a certain number of international students as new graduates each year, and the government has set a goal of "increasing the employment rate of graduating international students in Japanese companies from the current approximately 30% to 50%." Characteristics of companies actively recruiting include:

◯Large Companies/Global Companies
Trading companies, manufacturers, UNIQLO (Fast Retailing), and other large companies expanding overseas are focusing on recruiting international students as future international staff. Some companies have established interpretation and translation support teams to create environments where foreign employees can work comfortably. These initiatives demonstrate that larger companies are generally more proactive in accepting foreign talent.

◯Foreign-Affiliated Companies/IT Companies
Japanese branches of American or European-capital foreign companies (e.g., Google, Amazon, Goldman Sachs, McKinsey) hire talent regardless of nationality, as they either use English as their official in-house language or require advanced specialized knowledge for their operations. Even Japanese companies like Rakuten and Mercari are promoting English as their official in-house language and achieving multinational employee compositions. In fact, Mercari's management has publicly stated they will "actively hire people who can speak English even if they don't speak Japanese," resulting in more than 20% of their employees being of foreign nationality. Foreign companies like Goldman Sachs and McKinsey are increasingly hiring people from China and Korea, and at these companies, many are hired based on their English skills and specialized expertise, making them attractive options for foreigners.

Path to Permanent Residency and Conditions

As outlined above, the basic process for immigrating to Japan is university graduation → employment → permanent residency application. Obtaining permanent residency (status of residence: "Permanent Resident") allows indefinite stay in Japan without the need for renewals, and removes job type restrictions.

The main conditions and path are as follows:

◯Residence Period Guidelines
Generally, you must have continuously resided in Japan for a total of 10 years or more. While study periods count toward this residence period, it's recommended that at least 5 years of that time be spent with a work status or similar as a guideline for permanent residency permission. For example, in the case of 4 years of university + 6 years of work for a total of 10 years, the work period of 6 years exceeds 5 years, so this would meet the requirement.

◯Preferential System Through the Highly Skilled Professional Points System
Those who excel as highly skilled professionals after university graduation and score 70 points or more on the points calculation can qualify for permanent residency application after just 3 years of work. Furthermore, highly skilled professionals evaluated at 80 points or more can apply for permanent residency after just 1 year. This points system reflects factors such as educational background, annual income, age, and Japanese language proficiency. For example, graduates of Japanese universities receive 10 educational points, and JLPT N1 holders receive 15 points. Accumulating 25 points from a university degree + N1, plus meeting age and income conditions, can help reach 70 points more easily.

◯Financial Capacity/Tax Status
Having stable income and assets is also important for permanent residency applications. While no clear annual income criteria are published, annual income of 3 million yen or more is considered a guideline. In actual applications, you'll need to submit income and tax certificates for the past several years, demonstrating that you've paid taxes and social insurance premiums without delinquency. For those who went from university study to employment, initial salaries might not be high, but it's advantageous to increase your annual income through promotions or job changes before applying for permanent residency.

◯Conduct Requirements/Guarantor
Not engaging in illegal activities and maintaining good conduct in Japan is also a condition. This means not accumulating traffic violations or having a criminal record, and observing laws and social rules in daily life. Additionally, permanent residency applications require a guarantor (a Japanese national or permanent resident living in Japan). Guarantors are typically requested from superiors at work or acquaintances, though the guarantor does not bear financial or legal responsibility.

◯Japanese Language Ability
While Japanese language proficiency is not a mandatory requirement for obtaining permanent residency, communication skills sufficient for daily life are practically desirable. While there are generally no interview tests, all submitted documents must be prepared in Japanese. Those who have studied at Japanese universities and found employment should have acquired sufficient Japanese language skills, so special preparation is unnecessary.

Summary

As we've seen, there are various routes to immigrate to Japan, but the standard pattern is to graduate from a Japanese university, graduate school, or MBA program, and then find employment at a Japanese company. At Alpha, we actually support foreigners with admission to Japanese universities and MBAs, and then help with job hunting, successfully placing them in top companies like Mitsubishi Corporation, Goldman Sachs, and McKinsey. Strategic planning and abundant information are essential for immigrating to Japan. Please consult with Alpha to systematically achieve employment at a Japanese company and immigration to Japan!

For Japanese Immigration, Consult Alpha Advisors!

For the past 17 years, Alpha Advisors has supported applications to the world's top schools, including Harvard, Stanford, MIT Sloan, Wharton, Chicago Booth, LBS, Cambridge, and Oxford, guiding candidates to successful MBA admissions. Furthermore, we support post-MBA career changes, helping more than 50,000 individuals pursue careers at global companies such as Mitsubishi Corporation, Mitsui & Co., Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, McKinsey, BCG, Google, Microsoft, Amazon, P&G, MUFG Bank, Mizuho Bank, Toyota, and more.

For those aiming for employment and immigration to Japan, we offer "Alpha Individual Guidance" and "Alpha Intensive Training," providing comprehensive support for MBA studies. Using Alpha's unique individual guidance and "winning know-how" cultivated over 17 years, we fully support your Japanese employment and immigration. We provide consistent support from self-analysis for university/graduate school/MBA applications, essay writing, TOEFL/IELTS and GMAT/GRE test preparation, scholarship applications, interview preparation, to subsequent job hunting and career changes! Feel free to consult us via chat anytime about concerns or questions regarding Japanese employment and immigration. We provide comprehensive support for admission to top schools in the U.S., Europe, Singapore, Hong Kong, and elsewhere. If you're serious about MBA admission, let's realize your dream through the shortest route with Alpha!

Why not start by discussing and formulating your MBA application strategy with TJ, Alpha Advisors' representative (from Sumitomo Corporation → University of Chicago MBA → Goldman Sachs Investment Banking Division), through Alpha's "Career Strategy Advisory" (incredibly affordable at 48,000 yen, with discounts available!)? We'll provide substantial support for your Japanese employment, immigration, and career with an annual income of 50 million yen!

Interested? Schedule a free consultation now!

Click here for free consultation! > Free Consultation

Consult with a "top advisor" as soon as possible to discover your path to success and achieve your goals! If you're interested in individual advisory services, free consultations are available! After registration, you can access free consultations through the "Free Consultation Chat" in "My Page." For immediate questions or consultations, you can also use the chat feature in the bottom right of the page!

1. Alpha Individual Coaching starts with a free consultation!

Share your situation and concerns via our free consultation chat!

Click here for free consultation! > Free Consultation

2. After learning about your situation in the free consultation chat, our office will recommend the best individual coaching plan!

Includes course discounts and free access to Alpha Notes!

3. Once you've chosen your desired course, you can apply for individual coaching.

The entire application process can be completed online.

4. Begin Individual Coaching!

• Kickoff meeting with your advisor!
• After kickoff, ask questions and consult anytime via individual coaching chat - available 24 hours!
• Top advisors accompany you toward goal achievement!
• Weekly reports keep your advisor updated on your situation for optimal advice!

Achieve overwhelming success and lead a life you can be proud of!

Click here for free consultation! > Free Consultation

Interested in Alpha Advisors' individual advisory services? Contact us now for a free consultation!

Click here for free consultation! > Free Consultation

Let's achieve overwhelming success and lead the best life you can be proud of!