Hey everyone,
I’m currently trying to figure out the best way to move back to Japan long-term, and I could really use some advice from people who have been through a similar situation.
About me:
- I have an MBA and 3+ years of experience in the hotel industry.
- I hold JLPT N3 and have experience working in an international environment.
- I previously lived in Tokyo for a year,(Sept 23 – Sept 24) so I know my way around and already have an idea of what life there is like.
- My goal is to settle in Japan for the long term, not just for a year.
The Dilemma:
I have two options right now:
- Apply for a Work Visa from abroad – I’ve already applied to Marriott, Hilton, and IHG but haven’t received any responses yet. I know it’s harder to get a job while outside Japan, but this visa would give me the long-term stability I need.
- Go to Japan on a Working Holiday Visa – Since I’m French, I’m eligible. This would let me enter Japan sooner and look for jobs in person, which I know increases my chances. But the risk is that I might not find a job before the visa expires, leaving me in a tough spot.
I’m torn because I know being in Japan will make job hunting much easier, but I also don’t want to be stuck with no long-term visa after a year. Has anyone here successfully switched from a Working Holiday Visa to a Work Visa while in Japan? How realistic is it in the hotel industry?
Got about 30k in savings so I got enough to sustain myself for a year, even though If I get into the WHV I'll find a baito like the one I had in the past to make money on the side.
Would love to hear your thoughts, experiences, and any advice you can share. Thanks in advance!
by Guilel
2 comments
>and look for jobs in person, which I know increases my chances
It really *doesn’t*, though.
It might increase the odds of getting a WHV-type job, but it’s not going to significantly increase your chances of getting a real, professional, visa-sponsoring job.
I would absolutely suggest doing the Working Holiday route, not only because it will be easier to find a full-time job while you are in Japan on Working Holiday, but also because it gives you a chance to experience Japanese working culture first-hand before settling long-term. I’m German, and even if it’s an international company like Hilton, Marriott or another hotel chain, working at one of their Japanese office can be vastly different from what you are used to in the French hotel industry. You can also use your Working Holiday to improve your Japanese and possibly take the JLPT N2 as well, because N2 will help you a lot when it comes to finding a job in Japan compared to N3.
Personally, I’ll do working holiday in Japan starting in fall this year, probably in Osaka and with a degree in Japanese Studies / Media and Communication Studies, plus two years of experience in digital marketing. While I’ll likely try job hunting while I’m there, I see it as an opportunity to try living in Japan without a support network like studying abroad offers. If I don’t like it, great, I can go back to German. If I like it enough to see myself uprooting my life, also great, then job hunting in the second half it is 🙂