Hi everyone,
I'm planning to start a Working Holiday in Japan this January and would like to get some realistic advice about potential long-term options. Here’s a quick overview of my situation:
- Primary Goal: Enjoy the WHV experience, immerse myself in the culture, and explore the country.
- Financial Situation: I have sufficient savings to support myself, supplemented by part-time work in restaurants or hotels.
- Japanese Level: I passed the JLPT N4 and will be taking the N3 this December.
- Professional Background: I have a degree and 2-3 years of experience in web development.
While my main focus is on the Working Holiday, I am also curious about the possibility of staying longer on a work visa if I find that I really love life in Japan.
The most obvious path seems to be continuing in web development. However, I believe my profile makes it difficult to find a sponsored job in this field in Japan, mainly due to my limited professional experience.
Furthermore, to be honest, I'm no longer as motivated to pursue a dedicated career in web development. These days, I'm more passionate about other aspects of life, such as rock climbing (I'm very excited to explore the climbing spots in Japan), studying Japanese, and reading. If I were to stay long-term, I would be looking for a job that allows me to enjoy these hobbies and maintain an acceptable standard of living, without necessarily being in web dev.
So, my main question is: What kind of jobs that offer visa sponsorship could I realistically apply for?
- Apart from web development, are there other IT or general office jobs that might be easier to secure?
- I don't think teaching English is a viable path for me, as I only have a B2 level. I can communicate, but I don't sound native and have a strong accent, so I assume I wouldn't be a competitive candidate.
- I know that jobs in restaurants or hotels are often tough, poorly paid, and rarely offer visa sponsorship. I would only consider them as a last resort; at that point, I would probably prefer to return to Spain.
Finally, I'd like to ask: How difficult would it be in my case to find a job with visa sponsorship if I wanted to extend my stay? Is it a realistic goal, or should I manage my expectations?
Additional note on Japanese: If I do stay in Japan, I am planning to pursue the N2, but I find it hard to achieve from N3 in just one year. I would likely need at least two years of study to properly learn the material for that level.
Thank you in advance for your insights and advice
by AnywhereMoist1908