Hey everyone,
I’m a 26-year-old Canadian female trying to decide between two different visa paths for a long-term move to Japan. I previously lived there for 3 months strictly to study Japanese through Go! Go! Nihon, so I already know how the school process works. During my time there, I lived in a single, private dorm room, so I basically had my own place and know what that independence feels like. I'm heading back for a brief visit this August, but I'm trying to map out my long-term return.
I am stuck trying to choose between a Working Holiday Visa (WHV) and a 2-year Student Visa. My ultimate goal is to live completely independently in my own private, single apartment (no shared setups or dorms this time).
I really want to get your personal opinions and hear about your experiences when you were standing at this exact crossroads trying to decide.
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How did you decide? For those who had to choose between these two visas, what was your decision process? What factors made you realize one would be more beneficial for you than the other, and what worked out best for you in the end?
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The Apartment Process Comparison: For those who have actually held these visas, how does the process of getting a private apartment differ between the two? Is it noticeably easier to secure an independent lease on one visa versus the other?
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Your Recommendations & Blind Spots: Based on your own experience and what I’ve shared about my background (having already done the 3 months of study and wanting an independent apartment), which route do you think would be most beneficial for me? Are there any tips or hidden things I might have missed or haven’t mentioned that would be crucial to know before making my final choice?
I want to get a realistic picture of how people weighed this choice before I start my own application process.
Thanks for any insight!
Update
Leaning towards a student visa more
by chaebaydraws