I’ve been researching and planning a move to Japan for a while now I was originally hoping to qualify for the Business Manager visa, but with the recent changes to requirements, that’s starting to look less realistic.
My goal is to move to Japan around age 24–25 with my girlfriend (future wife), who will likely be sponsored for a biotech or bio engineering position. I’m a software engineer and I’m trying to figure out what the most practical route to permanent residency (PR) would be for me.
Right now, a work-sponsored visa seems like the easiest option, but I’d like to maintain some connection to U.S.-based work if possible, partly for the salary difference and partly because U.S. company experience looks good on a resume.
I’ve been thinking about options like:
-Working part-time at an IT firm in Japan to get visa sponsorship while continuing remote work for a U.S. company
-Setting up an LLC in the U.S. so my remote job pays that entity, and then I could pay myself in Japan through proper channels
-Or, if my girlfriend gets her visa first, possibly entering Japan as her dependent
I’d really appreciate any advice or firsthand experience with realistic visa paths, long-term planning for PR, or how other software engineers have navigated this kind of setup.
by Several-Swan-3455
3 comments
You’re not going to get sponsored for a part time work visa, unless you’re using your has to be wife’s dependent visa. But that limits you to 28 hours unless she’s Japanese.
LLC can be a very bad idea as Japan doesn’t recognize LLCs and you’re liable for taxes on it. Check in r/japanfinance for more on that.
Your best approach is either find a company that will internal transfer you, or interview for roles and hope you get a job. Last resort is ride your wife’s visa in and job search in country.
Not a lawyer but none of these options sound plausible, apart from getting married to your girlfriend and living in Japan as her dependent. My understanding is that you actually have to be the dependent, though – you can’t make more money than your (future) wife. Then, you’d be able to get PR when she becomes eligible for it. Also you’ll only legally be allowed to work up to 28 hours per week as a dependent.
Otherwise, yes, the obvious choice is for you to simply get a normal job in Japan.
>Working part-time at an IT firm
Part time work isn’t going to sponsor a visa.
>while continuing remote work for a U.S. company
Doubly so if you’re doing it to game the system like this.
>Or, if my girlfriend gets her visa first, possibly entering Japan as her dependent
You can only be a dependent if you’re married.
>Setting up an LLC in the U.S. so my remote job pays that entity, and then I could pay myself in Japan through proper channels
This is the only viable option of the ones you’ve presented. You would need to contract with an Employer of Record service to handle things on the Japanese end.
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