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Ask James: Can I Get A Job in Japan Without A College Degree?

Good news: It is possible to work in Japan without a degree. But how should you go about it?

By 3 min read 9

Our resident working-in-Japan writer, James Winovich, answers your questions on everything from finding a job to networking to having more fun during school lunches and more. Got a question you’d like to ask James? Email it to editorial@gplusmedia.com.

No degree = no-go?

Hi James,

I’ve been teaching English in Thailand for 15 years, but now I’m interested in teaching in Japan. However, I don’t have a college degree, which seems to be a requirement for every teaching job I’ve seen. Should I just give up on heading to Japan?

— Troubled in Thailand

Hey T-in-T,

Let’s settle this once and for all.

In short, it is 100% possible to find work in Japan without a degree. So if teaching in Japan is what you want to do, you absolutely shouldn’t give up. However, it will be significantly more difficult than if you did have one.

The important question then becomes, how can you make it happen?

With fifteen years of experience, you clearly fulfill the International Services visa requirement of having at least three years of professional experience in your field. As long as you can prove this to the Japanese government with the correct paperwork, you are eligible for that specific visa (you can read more on the details of this visa here.)

The more difficult part for you will be finding a company that is willing to sponsor your efforts in being granted a visa.

Employers needs quality teachers, and with your 15 years of experience, I would venture to guess that you are a good one. However, since you don’t have one of the listed requirements for most teaching jobs (the aforementioned degree), your resume and performance in your interview will need to be so strong that they are willing to go to bat for you.

As you can imagine, this isn’t easy and will have a huge element of luck. Some companies will throw your resume in the trash as soon as they see that you don’t have a degree. Others might give you a chance if your application documents help to generate a feeling that you are worth the investment. The four-year degree requirement is a hard rule for some companies and a soft guideline for others, but the three years of experience in your related field is a mandate for the International Services visa.

The four-year degree requirement is a hard rule for some companies and a soft guideline for others, but the three years of experience in your related field is a mandate for the International Services visa.

My advice for you specifically as you continue to work in Thailand is to apply, apply, apply to jobs in Japan. Gaijinpot and other large job-hunting sites usually have an email alert system that will help you be among the first to apply for jobs that fit your criteria, and that speedy response could be the difference in your resume getting a one-way ticket to the trash or receiving a second look.

One other option you might have (but that I wouldn’t really recommend) is to acquire a student or tourist visa and pound the literal pavement in Japan for a couple weeks. The amount of time and effort (and money!) that would go into that path makes the process not worthwhile in my book. Especially when you consider that you won’t be at much of an advantage over someone putting in heavy hours online.

In closing, if you want to work in Japan without a degree, it’s a lot like passing the Japanese driving test or the JLPT N1 on the first try. It’s difficult, but not impossible if you’re willing to put in the time.

If you put together a great resume, apply to as many places as you can, and if the moons and stars align, you will be granted some interviews. If you ace those, you may find a company that sees the mountain of visa-related paperwork as worth the effort, and you’ll be on your way to Japan sooner rather than later.

Good luck!

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  • Em says:

    Is it possible to apply as assistant english teacher without my diploma but willing to enrolled in training center or school as assistant english teacher

  • BlackC#Bro says:

    As a programmer with no degree around a mix of programmers with and without degrees I would say I wouldn’t want to work at a shit company like that anyway.

  • God Eaters says:

    i just wandering, if i go to japan for a job or something with my interest. can i survive at japan without any experience of any work out of country and or otherwise their environment, behavior’s people also.

  • Mike Morales says:

    Just because someone didn’t go to college does not mean they were lazy nor smart enough. You sir are 100percent wrong. Sometimes school isn’t for everyone or just not interested in wasting their money on something that doesn’t matter when you choose a specific career.

  • Mike Morales says:

    I have some questions.. I recently went in vacation to Japan and absolutely loved it, and have decided I want to live there and make my life in Japan. I don’t have a degree but I’m a chef manager and a soccer coach for 9 years and I would love to do either of those there.. How can I make that possible?

  • Always Energetic says:

    If you are married, can you still apply for jobs with a spouse Visa? My husband and I want to go to Japan together, but Im am the only one with a college degree. He wants to work while there so he can ease the financial load on me. Can he apply for jobs?

  • james says:

    A spousal visa is basically a Golden Ticket. If you are legitimately married, by all means go for that visa instead.

    • Tim Knott says:

      I have one was asking as wondering if it makes requiring degree still valid as visa sponsorship not required. Do you think would be good to mention on resume and applications?

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