Moving to Japan for Work - A Complete Guide for South Asian Workers and Students

Do You Need to Speak Japanese?

Yes, to some degree. This is the question most people ask first and it deserves an honest answer.

To get a Specified Skilled Worker visa you need to pass two tests. One tests your skills in your specific industry. The other tests your Japanese language ability.

The minimum language level required is JLPT N4. This is basic conversational Japanese. Not fluency but not nothing either. You need to understand simple sentences and handle basic daily conversations.

For hotel and restaurant roles some Japanese is genuinely necessary because you will be talking to Japanese guests every day.

The good news is you can study for the Japanese language test for free through the official SSW Japan Study Portal. Most people with no prior Japanese knowledge reach N4 level with three to six months of consistent daily study.

If you plan to go as a student first the language barrier is lower. Language schools teach you Japanese as part of the programme and you build skills while already in the country.

Visa Routes Into Japan for South Asian Workers

Specified Skilled Worker Visa

This is the most direct route for workers with relevant industry experience.

You need to pass the skills exam and the Japanese language test at N4 or above.

Your employer applies for the visa on your behalf after signing an employment contract with you. You cannot start the visa process without a job offer from a Japanese employer first.

Type 1 allows you to stay and work for up to five years. You cannot bring family members on this type.

Type 2 allows unlimited renewals and lets you bring family members. It requires a higher level of demonstrated skill.

For most South Asian workers starting out, Type 1 is the realistic entry point.

Student Visa

If you want to study Japanese first or are applying to a university or language school this is your route.

You need a high school diploma and enough savings to support yourself, typically around two to three million yen.

The student visa is also popular because once you are already in Japan it is significantly easier to find a job and switch to a work visa than applying from outside.

Engineer and Humanities Visa

This is the standard professional work visa for IT workers, engineers, and international business roles.

It requires either a bachelor's degree or ten years of relevant work experience.

Many South Asian IT professionals use this route.

How to Find a Job in Japan From Your Home Country

Finding a job before you arrive is possible but takes persistence.

GaijinPot Jobs is one of the most established job boards for foreigners looking for work in Japan. Many listings are in English and employers there are explicitly open to international candidates.

Japan Dev focuses on technology roles and is well regarded for English-friendly tech companies.

JETRO is the Japan External Trade Organization. They maintain a database of Japanese companies actively seeking global talent.

Recruitment agencies like Robert Half and Hays have offices in Japan and regularly place foreign professionals.

For Specified Skilled Worker positions there are also registered support organizations that help match foreign workers with Japanese employers in the eligible industries.

One important thing to understand. You cannot apply for a work visa on your own. A Japanese employer has to sponsor and apply for it on your behalf. Finding a job offer is the first step, not the last.

Your CV for Japan - What Is Actually Different

Japan has its own CV tradition that is different from what most South Asian workers are used to.

The Rirekisho

Traditional Japanese companies use a standardized CV format called a rirekisho.

It is a structured document covering your personal details, educational history, and work history in a very specific layout. Many rirekisho forms are still filled in by hand, which traditional employers view as a sign of seriousness and effort.

For most foreign workers applying through international channels, a clean English CV is acceptable and often preferred. But if you are applying to a traditional Japanese company through a Japanese recruiter, ask whether they expect a rirekisho.

If you are applying to modern Japanese companies that use ATS software, our ATS guide explains exactly how to format your CV for these systems.

What Japanese Employers Look For

Japanese employers pay close attention to how long you stayed at previous jobs.

Changing jobs frequently is viewed negatively in Japan. If your CV shows several short stints, be prepared to explain each one clearly.

Precision and attention to detail matter more in Japan than in many other countries. A CV with spelling mistakes or inconsistent formatting makes a genuinely bad impression.

Any experience working with Japanese companies or Japanese clients is worth highlighting. Even indirect familiarity with Japanese business culture is worth mentioning.

What to Include on Your Japan CV

• Your full name clearly at the top
• Contact details including phone number and professional email
• Current location and visa status or the visa you plan to apply for
• A professional passport style photo - this is standard and expected in Japan
• Your JLPT level if you have taken the test, even a basic level shows commitment
• Work experience listed from most recent to oldest
• Specific descriptions of what you did and what you achieved - not generic phrases

Generic descriptions like "managed daily operations" tell a Japanese employer very little.

Specific descriptions like "managed front desk operations for a 120 room hotel handling check-in and checkout for an average of 80 guests per day" tell them something real.

Will Your Employer Provide Accommodation

This is one of the most practical questions and the answer depends on your employer and visa type.

For Specified Skilled Worker visa holders, registered support organizations are legally required to help with finding accommodation if you need it.

Many employers in the SSW programme provide housing directly, particularly in agriculture, food manufacturing, and construction where workers are often based outside major cities.

In practice many SSW workers in food manufacturing or agriculture earn between 180,000 and 230,000 yen per month before deductions. Employer-provided accommodation significantly reduces your actual living costs.

For corporate roles and student visas, accommodation is typically your own responsibility.

Japan has a reputation for making it difficult for foreigners to rent apartments. Many landlords traditionally required a Japanese guarantor and were reluctant to rent to foreign nationals. This has been improving but remains a real challenge especially in your first weeks.

Practical options when you first arrive:

Share houses are very popular in Japan among new arrivals. They are cheaper than renting alone, require no guarantor, and let you settle in before finding something longer term.

Monthly apartment services rent furnished apartments without traditional guarantor requirements.

Accommodation provided by your employer or school is worth asking about specifically before you arrive.

The key is to arrange somewhere to stay before you land. Arriving in Japan without accommodation sorted is significantly harder to fix once you are there.

Opening a Bank Account in Japan

Opening a bank account in Japan as a foreigner has historically been complicated but the situation has improved.

To open a standard account you generally need your residence card. You receive this after registering at your local municipal office. You cannot get a residence card until you are in Japan on a long-term visa.

Once you have your residence card the most accessible bank for foreign workers is Japan Post Bank. It has a reputation for being more accommodating to foreign nationals and has branches everywhere across the country.

Many employers will tell you which bank to open an account with since your salary will be paid directly into it. Following their guidance simplifies the process.

Bring your residence card, passport, and registered address details when you go to open the account.

Getting a SIM Card

Getting a SIM card in Japan is more straightforward than opening a bank account.

The easiest option for new arrivals is a data SIM from providers like IIJmio, Mineo, or Rakuten Mobile. These are available online and at electronics stores like Yodobashi Camera or Bic Camera.

For a SIM with a voice call plan you typically need to show your residence card and sign a contract.

For a data-only SIM the requirements are less strict and you can often get one at the airport on arrival.

Many new arrivals get a short-term tourist SIM or pocket Wi-Fi device first, then switch to a regular plan once their residence card and bank account are sorted.

What to Realistically Expect When You Arrive

Moving to Japan knowing very few people is a genuine challenge that nobody should underestimate.

Japan is a beautiful and safe country. But it can feel quite isolating at the start, especially if your Japanese is limited.

Things that help with the transition:

The Japanese government's Daily Life Support Portal for Foreign Nationals provides information in multiple languages including Hindi, Bengali, Nepali, Urdu, and Sinhala. It covers health insurance, banking, housing, and other practical topics.

FRESC is a facility in Tokyo with government help desks that provide consultation services for foreign nationals on a wide range of topics.

Registering at your local municipal office as soon as you arrive is important and cannot be skipped. Your residence card and much of what follows depends on this being done first.

Health insurance enrollment is mandatory in Japan. Your employer will typically enroll you in their health insurance scheme. If you are arranging things yourself you need to enroll in national health insurance at your municipal office.

Frequently Asked Questions

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