I was thinking of going to school in japan and getting my bachelors there so that i could rack up the years needed for permanent residency, but i cant really afford it unless i get a job.

So i was wondering if its like here in America were as long as you have decent grades you can at least get permission to work or is it a difficult process?

Also what kind of jobs can i hope to get? McDonald's or teaching English?

I Look forward to your responses,

Gustavo

It depends on the school as to whether they will let you work.
Should be able to get immigration permission to work a few hours on a student visa.. probably.
But, of course, you will need to bring enough cash to support yourself for the length of your visa.. or they wont let you in.

As regards getting part time work, i haven't seen or heard of it being a big problem. As long as if you don't over work the required hours you can only do (work hours are restricted when you are in education) then i don't think it's going to be a problem.

As regards work, when you are on a student visa/College Visa etc you are mostly unrestricted in types of work you can get, but realistically it will come down to:
- Teaching English
- Hospitality Work (Bar/Cafe/Resturant work)
- Working at your college (few hours here and there)

It will all depend on the job though and the people who want to hire you. What will hold you back getting a wider variety of jobs will be your level of Japanese.

Also regarding your point on cost and also the permanent residency thing...

Initially it will come down to the University you go to but the cost of studying in Japan is very expensive, even taking the factor of working into account (i thought about doing this myself). Depending on the college it will cost from 40,000-80,000 euros (probably more in dollars) to do a 4 year bachelors degree in tuition fees alone. In my own country and with the benefits of government paid education, i can do the same 4 year bachelors degree for at least 6,000 euros (i can get it even free if i qualify for a grant). You may also have to prove to Immigration that you have substantial savings in account before being accepted for a visa.

You are going to have to really weigh up your options if doing a bachelors degree in Japan will actually be worth the financial risk. I know doing it would be awesome (i thought it would be) but when it comes to cost the reality hits home.

Regarding the Permanent residency, it's more about quality vs quantity. Your time spent of what you do in Japan is very important for Japanese Immigration in deciding permanent residency visas.

Best of luck with it though, i really recommend doing more reading regarding everything said before deciding anything. I would have loved to do it myself but realistically for me it wouldn't have been affordable. If it works out being viable for you then i truely wish you the best with it!

hmm your right it is a bit too expensive and i think i will be better off getting my degree hear in the states and then going off to japan with the jet program however now im wondering if its difficult to get permanent residency immediately after finishing the 5 years with jet?

First off, one doesn't need permission to work in the US, unless they are a foreigner.

Secondly, foreign uni students can work 20 hours a week here in Japan, with special permission. Everyone I know in school, is working.

Lastly, the common job people usually have is factory work.

Also, why the urgency of PR? It holds no real benefit. In fact, many don't like is because it raises ones legal culpability.

As a final note, if one is to teach English, they should work on learning it first