International moves have become so popular these days that it seems that all of us know at least a few people who decided to move to another country, even though it’s a very distant one. Unlike moves from the USA to Canada which we’re witnessing on a daily basis, moving to a different continent sounds more challenging, and you really don’t expect to see too many of these relocations. However, moves to Europe, Asia, South America, etc. are now common thing. In this article, Verified Movers will introduce you to everything you need to know about one of these routes, which is moving to Japan from US. With the spike in interest for Asian countries, especially those in the Far East, we wanted to help everyone out there who is thinking of making such a move. So, without further ado, let’s jump into it.
Relocating to the Land of the Rising Sun – What are the requirements?
Most countries won’t allow you to just migrate there and stay without any permits and paperwork. Japan, being one of the economic giants of today’s world, is certainly no exception. If you wish to move there permanently, you will need a visa. Of course, since people can move to Japan for different reasons, we have several types of visas. The process is strict and you need to submit all the necessary documentation. However, if you do what you’ve been asked, there’s shouldn’t be any issues. Meanwhile, let’s see the main visas that Japan issues to newcomers who wish to become permanent residents.
- Work visa – arguably the easiest way to become a permanent resident in Japan (or a citizen after a few years) is by getting hired by a Japanese company to work there
- Studying visas – there are a few visas that revolve around studying. Most notable is the one issues for students who wish to attend Japanese universities. But, there are also visas for studying the Japanese language.
- Visas for cultural activities – If you want to learn about martial arts or any other aspect of Japanese culture, you can apply for a visa for cultural activities and stay longer than those who only get a typical tourist visa.
- Family visas – If you have members of the immediate family who are Japanese citizens living there, for example, a spouse, as long as you submit documents proving that you have a stable income, you can become a permanent resident.
These four ways are the main ones to get to Japan. Hence, these four ways are your best bet for becoming a permanent resident in Japan, which is necessary if you’re looking to move there. After all, pursuing your career and education elsewhere are among the top reasons for relocation today. So, chances are that your motives for relocating to Japan are quite similar. Also, there are also temporary visas for tourists, volunteers, exchange students, etc. However, this doesn’t mean much for anyone who is looking to move to the Land of the Rising Sun for an extended period of time.
There are many benefits of moving to Japan from US
The quality of life in Japan is hard to match. It’s truly a unique culture. Needless to say, this country will embrace you with open arms. As one of the world’s economic giants, you will have countless job opportunities to pick from. Moreover, there are constant chances of being promoted based on your results. Japan really awards hard workers. As long as you’re up for it and devoted, you’ll get a chance to shine. Its education is among the best ones in the world. If you’re a student, a move to Japan would boost your education prospect significantly. The same goes for people who are moving with their kids. Rest assured that there aren’t too many places where your kids would get such great educational opportunities.
Tens of thousands of Americans are currently living in Japan
While the data hasn’t been updated for a while, we know for a fact that there were over 50,000 US citizens with permanent residence in Japan back in 2018. Considering that the interest in this country among Americans has only grown since, we can assume that this number is definitely not any lower. In fact, there’s a high chance that it is 10,000 to 20,000 higher. States around the West Coast, most notably California, send most people to Japan as far as the USA goes. Best moving companies in California have helped hundreds, if not thousands of people, relocate to the Land of the Rising Sun successfully.
Is it expensive to move to Japan and live there?
The numbers are different than those in the USA, that’s for sure. So, it might take you a while to get used to it. First of all, we will use the value in dollars when discussing prices here, although the Japanese currency is the yen. ($1 USD = 130 JPY at the moment of writing). The average yearly salary in Japan is $44,000. So, how does this compare to the prices? Housing is often the best indicator, and the median home price in Japan is slightly more than $200,000. As far as the rents go, it is mostly $450 – $750 a month. Since Japan is very densely populated, you’re far more likely to end up in an apartment rather than a house.
Now, when it comes to the cost of the move, here’s what you should know. The average cost of relocating your items to Japan is $5,000 to $8,000. These are the main shipping and transportation costs. It could be more if you ask movers and packers for some special services. Also, it will depend slightly on the state you’re moving from. For example, if you’re moving to Japan from the “Lone Star State” with the best moving company Texas, you can expect slightly lower costs than if you were moving from New York, purely due to the distance and the living standard in these states.
Pick one of many thriving Japanese cities and enjoy this great country
So, you can see that moving to Japan from US is worth it. All that’s left for you to do is pick a city and enjoy your new chapter in the Land of the Rising Sun. Tokyo is the most obvious choice, being the most populous city in the world, but many others are worth considering as well. Don’t forget about the requirements for moving there and the documentation you need to submit. Also, it’s highly recommended to hire professionals to assist you on this huge journey, to make it as simple as you can. Enjoy Japan and its wonderful culture!