Hi,

Apologies in advance for the long explanation, but I wanted to outline my situation clearly. I'm currently trying to determine the best way to move to Japan and secure permanent residency based on my current qualifications.

One of the fastest routes to permanent residency is through work sponsorship with a Highly Skilled Professional (HSP) Visa. However, the requirements for the HSP visa are strict—I would need at least 70 points to qualify, which would allow me to apply for permanent residency in three years. If I can accumulate 80 points, I could potentially qualify for PR within one year. I’ve been using this calculator to estimate my points, but since factors like earned income can fluctuate, I want to ensure I have more than enough points before applying.

Current Point Assessment & Plan

At the moment, I am in my mid-20s with a bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Management Information Systems and will soon have one year of professional work experience. I graduated from Rutgers University, which is listed as a highly regarded institution according to Kikuchi Immigration Services.

I am currently taking a Coursera certificate, but I am unsure whether it qualifies under "Holding a foreign qualification related to the job". Regarding research achievements, Japanese proficiency, and national qualifications, I do not have any and likely will not in the near future. (For transparency, I do plan to learn Japanese eventually, but due to my current workload and my difficulty in picking up new languages, I cannot count on it as a reliable factor in my visa points calculation.)

Based on my current credentials, I estimate that I have around 40 points, excluding income.

Plan to Reach 70+ Points

My plan is to continue working until I have at least three years of professional experience and then pursue a master’s degree in a data-related field. However, I have a few key requirements for my graduate studies:

1. The program must be taught in English.
2. It must be related to my career path
3. I prefer a program that does not require an entrance exam, as I am not confident in passing one within a reliable timeframe.

Graduate School Options in Japan

I have found three potential options, but each comes with concerns:

• Tohoku University – Highly reputable, but requires an entrance exam and may be difficult for me to get into.
• Sophia University – The closest relevant program is Green Science & Engineering, which does not strongly align with my career path.
• Tokyo International University (TIU) – This program fits my needs logistically, but I am concerned about its reputation and how that might impact job hunting after graduation.

Post-Graduation Point Calculation

If I complete a master’s degree at a Japanese university, I estimate my points would increase to around 60 (due to earning a higher degree and graduating from a Japanese institution). Assuming I am earning at least 5–6 million yen annually, that should bring me to 70+ points, making me eligible for the HSP visa.

Key Concerns & Questions

1. How realistic does this plan sound overall?
2. If I attend TIU, how much would its weaker reputation impact my job search? (Considering I would already have 3+ years of experience and a U.S. degree from Rutgers.)

Side Note:

I am not particularly concerned about salary or working conditions immediately after graduation. My primary goal is simply to secure a job that will last until I obtain PR. The primary positions I am looking for would be something along the lines of a Data Analyst or Data Scientist. After that, I plan to transition to remote work for a U.S.-based company.

I appreciate any insight you can provide!