Engineers Abroad: Strategies for Success and Key Considerations

In this article, we will explain the attractions, methods, and precautions of moving abroad. If you are interested in moving abroad, please read this.

1. Why is overseas migration attracting attention among engineers?
2. Three attractions for engineers to move abroad
1. 2-1. You can play an active role across the world
2. 2-2. Annual income increases
3. 2-3. You can work anywhere you like
3. 4 ways engineers can move abroad
1. 3-1. Use a job change agent
2. 3-2. Apply directly to the company you want to work at
3. 3-3. Join a global company and move to the country you want to move to
4. 3-4. Immigrate to a country where remote work is possible
4. 4 things you need to pay attention to when moving abroad
1. 4-1. Can I get a visa for my desired work style?
2. 4-2. Learning the language used in the destination country is essential
3. 4-3.It is not always possible to use the Internet freely
4. 4-4. Security, hygiene, food and lifestyle habits are different from Japan.
5. Three ways to check your suitability before moving abroad in earnest
1. 5-1.Work at a foreign company
2. 5-2. Go on a long-term business trip overseas
3. 5-3.Use working holiday
6. Make a decision to move abroad carefully, taking into consideration your skills and country circumstances.

In the IT industry, companies headquartered overseas are dominating the world. Some talented and young engineers may wish to move overseas and play an active role in the world.

In order to achieve greater success when moving overseas, there are some points you should keep in mind. In this article, we will explain the attractions, methods, and precautions of moving abroad. If you are interested in moving abroad, please read this.

Why is overseas migration attracting attention among engineers?

The following are the reasons why overseas migration is attracting attention among engineers.

・Many companies that operate on a global level are located overseas, such as in the United States.

・Many programming and infrastructure are common worldwide

・If you work at an overseas company, you have a chance to receive a higher salary than at a Japanese company.

・Many countries are actively accepting foreigners due to a shortage of engineers.

If you can be involved in a job that leads society and are treated well, many people may be willing to consider moving overseas. An increasing number of engineers are attracted to these job openings and are paying attention to them.

Three attractions for engineers to move abroad

One of the reasons why engineers want to move overseas is that it is attractive. Here, we will explain three items that engineers tend to find attractive.

You can play an active role across the world

If you change your job to a global company, you will have the opportunity to work internationally. This is because many global companies in the IT industry have bases overseas, including the United States. Being able to demonstrate your strengths and play an active role in the world without being tied down to Japan is a big attraction.

Moving abroad is a big decision, but through friendly competition with engineers from other countries, it is possible to aim for a level that attracts attention from around the world. By taking a courageous step and making efforts, you will be able to win a bright future.

annual income increases

Increased annual income is also a motive for moving abroad. It is also possible to live a richer life than you currently have.

Substantial increases in annual income include cases in which the amount of take-home pay increases and cases in which living costs decrease. Let’s check each one.

Take-home pay increases

If you move to a country where your annual income is higher, you can expect your salary to rise more easily than your current salary, and you can also expect your take-home pay to increase. A typical example is the United States.

According to the “Report on Comparative Survey of IT Human Resources Across Countries” published by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry on June 10, 2016, the average annual income of IT human resources in the United States is approximately twice that of Japan, ranging from 10 million yen to 20 million yen. The majority of people earn an annual income of .

However, it should be assumed that countries with high wages also have high prices. For example, the price of a Big Mac is higher in many countries than in Japan. It is important to note that just because your take-home pay has doubled, it does not necessarily mean that the value of your money has doubled.

In countries where prices are low, real annual incomes increase.

An effective way to increase your annual income is to move to a country with lower prices. This is because even if the annual income is the same, if prices are lower, the costs necessary for living will be lower, and more money will be left in hand. In particular, living there will be easier if housing, utilities, and food costs are low. For families with children, it is also important to have access to low-cost, high-quality education.

Even in countries with low prices, if the infrastructure and education system are in place, people can lead a prosperous life. One of the countries that is attracting attention is Georgia.

You can work anywhere you like

One of the attractions of moving abroad is that you can choose where to live and work anywhere in the world, without being limited to Japan. Some people may find joy in having a job and making a living in the land of their dreams.

If you are an employee of a company that allows you to work completely remotely, you can do so by obtaining the appropriate visa. You can immigrate to a country that issues a so-called “digital nomad visa” without having to work for a local company. Although there are requirements such as minimum income, if you are consistently earning a certain amount of income, it will be easier to realize your dream of moving abroad through freelance work.

4 ways engineers can move abroad

There are four ways to take advantage of your position as an engineer and move abroad. No method is perfect. Check the benefits and precautions and choose the method that suits you.

Use a job change agent

Using an agent to change jobs is a common method, but it can also be used to change jobs to overseas companies. By using a job change agent with strong overseas experience, you can get the following benefits:

・You can apply for private job openings

・Get information about local companies and advice on selection

・You can get information about local security, life, manners and rules.

・Receive a wealth of support to help you pass the selection process

Even if you have no experience of staying overseas for a long time, you can make decisions based on a wealth of information and be able to change jobs with confidence.

Apply directly to the company you want to work for

Another way to change jobs overseas is to apply directly to a company. One way is to visit the company’s official website and apply directly.

In fact, many people use job search sites. You can use not only major Japanese job search sites, but also job search sites operated by foreign companies. You can apply to overseas companies without leaving Japan.

Job change sites include sites that cover the entire world and sites that are specific to a specific country or region. Choosing a site that suits your needs will bring you closer to finding a better job.

Join a global company and move to the country you want to move to

Companies that do business around the world often have local subsidiaries and affiliates in various countries. There are global companies in Japan as well. One way to realize overseas migration is to join one of these companies, gain experience, and then request a transfer, and then be transferred or transferred to a company in the country you wish to move to.

Since it is a prerequisite that your ability be recognized, it may take years to realize your ability to move overseas. This option is suitable for those who wish to work at a large company and want to immigrate in the medium to long term.

Immigrate to a country that allows remote work

The methods explained so far are based on changing jobs or transferring, but there are ways to move overseas without changing your workplace or even as a freelancer. If your current job can be completed through remote work, you may be able to move overseas by receiving a digital nomad visa.

You may be able to achieve a lifestyle where you can work in a relaxed manner while experiencing the culture of your dream country.

4 things you need to pay attention to when moving abroad

Working and living overseas is not the same as in Japan. There are four things you should keep in mind when moving. Let’s check the points in detail.

Can I get a visa for my desired work style?

A Japanese passport allows you to enter many countries without a visa, but this is only for tourism purposes. If you want to work and live locally, you must first obtain a visa that matches your job type before traveling.

Each country has certain requirements for obtaining a work visa. In addition to high technical skills, there are also many cases where academic background is required. Be sure to carefully check the requirements for obtaining a visa in advance to see if you can obtain a visa for your desired work style.

Learning the language used in the destination country is essential

If you want to move abroad, learning the language used locally is essential. Only by being able to understand the language will you be able to communicate smoothly and be evaluated in the workplace.

For this reason, language skills are not sufficient for daily life. You will need language skills at a level that allows you to proceed smoothly with your work. Additionally, documents provided locally will likely be in the local language or English. The ability to read technical documents smoothly is also required. If you are worried about your language skills, going to school to improve your skills is also an effective option.

It is not always possible to use the Internet freely

In Japan, you can easily obtain information from all over the world through the Internet. However, please be aware that in some countries the Internet is censored and access to information may be restricted.

Every year, Freedom House scores and publishes the degree of internet freedom in each country based on factors such as the severity of censorship. While Japan has a high degree of freedom, it must be noted that censorship is strict in countries such as China, Russia, Thailand, and Vietnam. In some cases, you may not be able to obtain the information you need for your work, which may hinder your work. Keep this in mind when deciding where to move to.

Public safety, hygiene, food and lifestyle habits are different from Japan.

It is important to note that living overseas is very different from living in Japan in the following ways.

・Many people overseas believe in a specific religion.

・There are manners in life and taboos regarding food.

・There are many countries where sanitary conditions are worse than Japan. Be careful with raw foods. Be careful with ice too

・There are many countries where the security is worse than Japan. Fake cops may appear

・Even if it is not illegal in Japan, there are acts that are illegal locally.

・There are countries where criticism of the government is not allowed.

If you live overseas with the same mindset as you do in Japan, you may run into trouble. Before deciding where to move to, learn about the local customs, manners, laws, and history.

3 ways to check your suitability before moving abroad in earnest

Moving abroad suddenly is a risky move. It is not too late to decide whether you are suitable for moving abroad or whether you can succeed in the country you are moving to. Here are three ways you can check your suitability before moving abroad in earnest.

work at a foreign company

Working at a foreign company is an effective way to check whether your work style is compatible. Japanese companies and foreign companies have different ways of working and ways of thinking about work. You can work in the culture of a foreign company while staying in Japan, so you can check in advance whether working abroad is suitable for you.

Even if you feel that a Japanese company is a better fit for you, this method will reduce your risk. There is also a way to find a better workplace and change jobs to work for a foreign company while living in Japan. Unlike after moving overseas, you do not need to go through the procedures to return to your country or find a place to live after returning to your home country.

Go on a long-term business trip overseas

There are many Japanese companies that have bases overseas. If you work for such a company, one effective way is to go on a long business trip overseas to see if you are compatible with the place you are staying. Through your daily life, you can check in advance whether the country you are staying in is suitable for you and whether you are suitable for moving abroad. Even if you may feel confused at first, once you get used to the environment, you may be able to enjoy your stay.

Please note that long-term business trips overseas are subject to business orders. You can make your own wishes, but please keep in mind that the final decision lies with the company.

Take advantage of working holiday

If you are a young person, you can also choose a working holiday. Working holiday is a system where you stay abroad for one to two years and earn money for your trip and stay while working. Although the purpose of this system is to spend your vacation at the place you are staying, the ability to work locally can be said to be a big advantage. Another strength is that you can carefully check whether the lifestyle of the place you are staying is suitable for you.

However, please note that working holidays are subject to the following restrictions:

・You only have one opportunity to use a working holiday for each country you stay in.

・There is a limit on the age at which you can apply (in principle, 18 to 30 years old, the upper limit varies depending on the country)

・The number of working holiday visas issued each year is determined by the country.

Consider carefully when deciding to move abroad, taking into consideration your skills and country circumstances.

Moving abroad is an attractive option for engineers, as it provides them with the opportunity to work globally, as well as potentially increasing their annual income. On the other hand, there may be times when you are confused by the situation, which is different from Japan. If you don’t have certain skills and annual income, the country you want to move to may refuse to accept you. Before deciding to immigrate, we recommend that you understand the skills you have and the circumstances of the country you want to immigrate to, and then make your decision after careful consideration.