Yes I meant college. 4 year. 2 years don't really count for much.

Hey, do you think you could answer the question I had in this post in the college topic since you seem to be very well-informed on this particular topic.

Just wanted to make sure you didn't think I was a high school drop out.

=P

Does it matter what the degree is for? Because I'm really only interested in music and art... =_=

"And so did he flood him with questions..."

Haha nah, didn't think that.

That I can't quite help you. Go to the link that SSJup81 gave you and read the archives. The others can go into detail.

Will do, and thanks for the great advice.

That's a college degree.

You'll never get citizenship, but you probably mean you want permanent residency.

You said you did a lot of research. What did you discover?

Yeah, permanent residency was what I meant.

Out of all my research, including Japans Ministry of Foreign affairs website, I couldn't find out any more than, "If you plan on staying in Japan for longer than 90 days, an Alien Registration card must be acquired. You must have a ARC before you are allowed to rent an apartment or sign up for other services (phone, bank account, so on.) "

That was why I came here. =P I didn't find out about the different visas until I posted this thread.... *XO

I agree that one should be an asset to the country, but I didn't imagine that Japan would have something so reminiscent to an entry exam.. -_-

I don't know anything about residency really, but if and when you do move, remember to bring some peanut butter with you. I hear it's really hard to find over there and that's a total drag when you really want a PBJ at 5am. ;D

The proper way to become a permanent resident of Japan would be to get a 4 year college degree, and apply for a relevant job in Japan. If you are hired and sponsored for a visa, you have taken your first step. If you remain in Japan with the same employer for 5 or more years, pay your taxes, and stay out of trouble, you can try applying for permanent residency. YMWV immensely in this process. Some people get PR within 5 or 6 years, with others its taken 10 or more years.

The quickest way to PR is to marry a Japanese national. To to Japancupid.com, meet someone, and get married. You can usually get PR within 7 years after getting married.

You either have to marry someone who a Japanese citzen or has family in Japan or get a job in Japan with and have your company be the sponsor on your visa. Im not sure but I think Japan will allow you a visa if you wanna go over there for an internship in special area. Another idea would be to go to college in Japan but its expensive.