Japan

Japan's Specified Skilled Worker visa and bilateral EPA programs offer structured recruitment, subsidised Japanese lessons, and clear career progression.

Demand

Very High

Language

Japanese

Processing

8–12 months

Currency

JPY

Apply for Japan

Caregivers

Demand & salary

¥2.8M–¥3.8M

Average annual gross for full-time caregiver roles.

Home care, residential and hospital positions available
Minimum 1 year of experience typically required
Employer-sponsored relocation and orientation

Auxiliary nurses

Demand & salary

¥3.5M–¥5.2M

Average annual gross for full-time auxiliary nurse roles.

Acute care, geriatrics, and community nursing openings
Nursing diploma or degree required
Continuing education funded by most employers

Requirements & benefits

Working conditions, licensing, and immigration essentials for Japan.

Language requirement

JLPT N3–N2

Licensing

Kaigo Fukushishi / Kango licensing

Visa pathway

Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) / EPA

Working hours

40 hrs/week

Paid leave

10–20 days + national holidays

Healthcare

National health insurance

Pension

Kōsei Nenkin

Permanent residency

PR after 5 years (SSW ii)

Relocation cost

¥400,000–¥700,000

Cost of living

Moderate to High

Also in Asia Pacific

🇦🇺

Australia

Superannuation, sun, and PR pathway

🇳🇿

New Zealand

Green List = residence from day one

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South Korea

Cutting-edge healthcare technology