How do I get a visa in japan?

Question

Currently i am in Ireland, preparing to go to Japan. I am going to be a student at one of the universities in Tokyo in the following year. I know that im going to get a student visa for that time that i conduct my studies but i plan on staying longer, getting work, etc. How would i go about getting a visa/green card ( or whatever i need...) so that ill be able to live and work there like a normal citizen considering that i get through my desired courses?

P.S. i really dont understand the system for immigrating into japan no matter how much i search on the web.

Answer 1

If you want to get a visa in Japan after your student visa expires, you will need to get a job, and get the company to give you a visa.

It IS easier to get a job while you are actually in Japan on your student visa, because most companies want to interview you in person before giving you the job. Once you get a job the company will sponsor your visa, and you will probably be granted a one year visa.

The only job you will be able to get without level 2 Japanese (from the Japanese Language Proficiency Test) is in Eikaiwa (English conversation) - basically a teacher.

Japan is very VERY strict about visas, so if your student visa doesn't let you work, you must not work (officially). You can switch to a tourist visa after your student visa is over to give you some extra time to search for a job before going back if you can afford it.

To become a permenent resident in Japan is extremely difficult, I know people who have lived in Japan for 10 years and still get denied their application for a permenant visa.

You just have to keep renewing your visa when it expires.