If you plan to move to Japan, one thing you will need is a way to ensure steady income. Check out our article for the best jobs for foreigners.

Visiting Japan can be a great experience and a good way to learn about another culture. Living in Japan will, most likely, be an entirely different experience for you. You will soon shift your priorities from trying to see everything you can in a small amount of time, to trying to ensure you don’t have to live on ramen and bread for the month.

Most people start off by wondering what will get them into the country at all. There certain steps one must take before trying to live in Japan, and one of the main things you need to live in the country is a job. If you don’t have a special allowance or some other important reason to be in the country more than 3 months, you will be required to leave.

Since having a job is so important, you may wonder which jobs are best for foreigners to enter and continuously live in the country. We will look some requirements for entry into the job market and what kind of opportunities will be available to any non-Japanese resident.

Requirements for Long Entry

Japan has one of the strictest requirements for anyone who wants to live in the country for one or more years. Most of these requirements pertain to the job you will be doing once you arrive, but there are basic requirements that everyone must follow as well.

First, you need to apply for entry which tells the government that you will be employed. Usually the company you will be working for will help complete the documentation you will need. You will need to complete a background check, have a degree related to whatever field you will be working in, and other documentation from Japan itself. If you can submit everything in a timely manner you will be able to enter with no problem.

Second, you will need to have a specific job, or field of employment, that you will be going into when you enter the country. Tourist visas allow for up to a 3 month stay before you will be required to leave. If you try to gain employment while you are under a tourist visa, you will be required to leave the country for a short time in order to change your visa. Most jobs will require you to have a degree and you will not be allowed to get a workers visa otherwise.

The third way to try and gain long term residence is to marry a Japanese national. You can apply for a spousal visa after you have been married and it will allow you to stay with your partner. Remember that it is a long process and there are many steps you must follow to marry in Japan. There are many rules in place to prevent people from abusing the system, and you will be rejected if you don’t already have a working visa, or you are not already married in another country before going to Japan.

Popular Foreigner Friendly Employment

Here we will look at some of the most common jobs many people take when they decide to live and work in Japan.

English Teacher

This particular job is the most popular among foreign workers in Japan. Most people who hold higher paying jobs have started their journey by teaching in public schools or in eikaiwas. You have a few ways you get a job teaching English in Japan such as eikaiwa, ALT dispatch, direct hire, or creating your own English school. These all require a college level degree and having English as either the primary or secondary language of your home country. If English isn’t your primary language you will need to prove your proficiency of the language.

These jobs will not usually pay the best, but they act as great stepping stones for those who are looking to get into the country for a year or more. Most of the companies are helpful when it comes to getting the correct documentation to enter the country and for sponsoring your visa so you can continue to live there.

Journalist

This is another field that will require you to have the proper degree and connections to get into the business. A decent level of Japanese is generally required for the job, and you will need to be able to follow the rules of Japanese media. The businesses will sponsor your visa like the English schools, and will make it possible for you to stay as long you choose to continue to work for them.

Artist

Artists are a little different as their jobs can be hard to put into one category. There is usually a general arts and humanities visa that covers a wide-range of jobs that would fall under the artistic umbrella. These jobs can be difficult to maintain as there can sometimes be certain areas that can’t or won’t guarantee prolonged employment.

Entertainment

This is another area that can be difficult to enter and stay in. You have to play to whatever strengths you have, and try to adapt to Japanese culture as much as possible. Finding a good agency can be difficult as the rules for these kinds of businesses are different that western countries. Try to make sure you find a good representative that will keep your best interest in mind.

Engineering

Japan is currently looking for as many engineers as it can find. This sector is constantly growing, and more people are needed to help find solutions to modern problems. These companies are great for young engineers to gain experience, and they are good when it comes to sponsoring workers for extended periods of time. You will need a college degree and the some Japanese will help you in your daily activities.

Other Jobs for Residents

If you happen to have a visa that allows you to work a variety of jobs you can apply for more basic jobs. The service industry is always looking for part-time workers and is ready to hire anyone with conversational Japanese. Construction is a good place to look as well, since there are new buildings being erected every year. Customer service has been very attractive for foreigners as the companies are usually looking for workers who can speak other languages to better assist their customers.

These jobs are great ways to make money and continue living in Japan. Since most people use these jobs as gateway positions to stay in the country the government has made sure to increase the difficulty in which you acquire them. Trying to bend the rules can lead to deportation and being temporarily or permanently banned from entering the country. Try to find a good company that is well known and that has record of fulfilling its promise to workers. That will ensure you don’t find yourself in a bad situation.