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Many entry-tier English teaching (ALT or Eikaiwa) companies in Japan only require a native-level proficiency and Bachelor's degree from a recognized institution

Many entry-tier English teaching (ALT or Eikaiwa) companies in Japan only require a native-level proficiency and Bachelor's degree from a recognized institution in order to hire you and get the visa sponsorship set up. Does that qualify as a "skilled professional" visa? Also to my knowledge, it's possible to gain citizenship in Japan after only five years of constant time in the country, so long as you're legally there, you can pass a basic Japanese language test (or write an essay), and show evidence that you can support yourself financially.

csa 7y ago
> Does that qualify as a "skilled professional" visa? Yes, it does (minimally). If you saw what the low skilled people were like both professionally and socially, you would understand why. Your median foreign-born English teacher is at worst a neutral additions to Japanese society, and many have some upside. Note that I am saying this as someone who does not have a high opinion of tour ELT folks in general, but I still think it’s true.
- claudiawerner 7y ago
  >Note that I am saying this as someone who does not have a high opinion of tour ELT folks in general, but I still think it’s true. I'm actually applying (after finishing my MEng degree this year) to do it for a year or two, and I'm also applying to pass JLPT N3 :-)
  - csa 7y ago
    Different worlds. An engineer with N3 is great. An English teacher with N(anything) is meh. Interestingly, the best English teachers can probably make more than the median engineers, but that’s a marketing issue. Stay true to your path, and learn something about the culture. If you dig it after a year or two, then switch to being a go-between. Folks who can bridge cultures are invaluable and are priced accordingly.
Legogris 7y ago
What I was talking about was the Highly Skilled Professionals (formerly called Highly Skilled Foreign Professionals) system, which is separate (edit GP). It's basically like an add-on on whatever other visa you're applying for or already have.

csa 7y ago

> Does that qualify as a "skilled professional" visa? Yes, it does (minimally). If you saw what the low skilled people were like both professionally and socially, you would understand why. Your median foreign-born English teacher is at worst a neutral additions to Japanese society, and many have some upside. Note that I am saying this as someone who does not have a high opinion of tour ELT folks in general, but I still think it’s true.

claudiawerner 7y ago
>Note that I am saying this as someone who does not have a high opinion of tour ELT folks in general, but I still think it’s true. I'm actually applying (after finishing my MEng degree this year) to do it for a year or two, and I'm also applying to pass JLPT N3 :-)
- csa 7y ago
  Different worlds. An engineer with N3 is great. An English teacher with N(anything) is meh. Interestingly, the best English teachers can probably make more than the median engineers, but that’s a marketing issue. Stay true to your path, and learn something about the culture. If you dig it after a year or two, then switch to being a go-between. Folks who can bridge cultures are invaluable and are priced accordingly.

Legogris 7y ago

What I was talking about was the Highly Skilled Professionals (formerly called Highly Skilled Foreign Professionals) system, which is separate (edit GP). It's basically like an add-on on whatever other visa you're applying for or already have.