Hi everyone, this is my first Reddit post so I hope I’m doing this right 😅
I wanted to get some opinions and advice about a possible big move in my life. I’m from Singapore, and I’ve been in a relationship with my boyfriend (he’s Japanese) for almost 2 years now. We’re thinking about me moving to Osaka in the near future, and possibly getting married in 2–3 years and settling down there.
My main concern is work and qualifications. I currently hold a Nitec cert (not sure what the equivalent is in Japan), but despite that, I’m actually earning quite a high salary in Singapore. Because of that, I feel a bit stuck — I’m worried that if I move to Japan, I might not be able to find a job with comparable pay.
I’ve read a bit about the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) visa, but I honestly have no idea where to start or whether it’s even the right path for me.
I’m also currently self-studying Japanese and planning to take the JLPT, but I’m not at a high level yet.
Has anyone here been in a similar situation or made a move like this before?
- How realistic is it to find decent-paying jobs in Japan with limited formal qualifications?
- Is SSW a good route, or are there better options I should consider?
- Any advice on preparing for this move (career-wise or language-wise)?
Would really appreciate any insights or personal experiences. Thank you 🙏