Hey everyone, I’ve got some questions about working in Japan as a foreign student on a student visa, and I’d like to share my situation to see how realistic my expectations are.
I’m 22, and I don’t have a university degree, but I did graduate from an institute. My plan is:
1. Study Japanese for 2 years at a language school to reach a good level (hopefully N2 or higher).
2. Then, enroll in a senmon gakko (vocational school) to study something technical.
3. After graduating, find a job in Japan and switch to a work visa to settle there.
Here’s where I’m a bit concerned: Do Japanese companies actually sponsor visas for foreign students graduating from a senmon gakko? And how hard is it to land a job in this situation before the student visa expires?
Also, I’m wondering if there are any specific technical fields (outside of IT, engineering, or internet-related areas) that are in high demand for foreign workers. For example, fields like fashion or other less mainstream areas that could still qualify for a work visa.
My biggest worry is whether, as a foreigner, I’d have decent job opportunities after graduating from a senmon gakko. Specifically:
• Would a Japanese company choose me over a local graduate with the same qualifications?
• Do companies even hire fresh graduates from senmon gakko, especially if they’re foreign?
If anyone’s gone through something similar or has advice, I’d really appreciate it. Any recommendations or stories would help me figure out what’s realistic.
(PS: I used a translator for this, so if anything sounds weird, blame the machine. It tried its best, okay?)
by Mindless-Locksmith14