Japanese Engineering Visa Without Degree? 

this is such a relief. I was so bummed when I thought my lack of a traditional degree was going to stop me from getting a work visa in Japan. Thanks so much for this great info!!

Can't believe this video isn't all over the internet. Never heard of this before. Thansk for sharing!

Here's hoping this reaches David or anyone that has done this test previously. How long does it take for the certificate to arrive? I passed the April 2023 test and didn't receive it as of yet (August 21st). When I email PhilNITS, they only tell me that they didn't issue it yet, without giving any estimates. I'm dying to apply to some very promising positions but also really afraid that the certificate wouldn't arrive in time, and then to go through interviews and stuff only to be barred by this would honestly be heartbreaking. Anyway, cheers for the video! It really helped me understand the Japanese Visa process as a whole, as well as save me a lot of time applying my Associate's degree only to have it denied later. If anyone wants more information about the whole process, the test, hotels, dates, transportation, etc., feel free to reach out. I'll try to answer everyone the best I can! Edit: (Aug. 21) Literally just tried sending an email to them again and got a reply saying that the certificates will be available next week! I'll keep this comment updated until arrival for future reference. (Aug. 23) Just got another e-mail telling me the certificate is available in office, and that they'll mail it to me very soon. So, for those living in the Philippines, this is the date where you can go pick up your certificate at the office where you did your test. (Aug. 29) 3 days after paying the delivery fee, PhilNITS sent me the certificate through FedEX.

I got my FE certificate last year. And now I'm learning Japanese and joining Japanese Language School next month so that i can get used to Japan and their work culture. I do have a plan to find a job there. Since i dont have a degree, maybe I can make use of the certificate later in the future. Hopefully. Thanks for the video man.

Just took ITPEC exam today in Manila. Feel nervous.. Hope I can pass it

Honestly glad this exists. I'm about to finish my first year of university (in Italy) and I am studying computer engineering but I also haven't passed a single exam so far. Ever since October, it's been going to large classrooms with lots of people, taking classes I don't wanna take with barely any actual interaction with the professors and have had to co-exist with roommates I don't get along with. In January/February I had 3 subjects to study for and I failed every exam. Now, I have those 3 subjects plus another 3 and it just seems impossible for me to continue. There is just zero motivation at this point quite frankly. I've been having issues with studying and following lectures since I started in October and, I've been denying it but university life just isn't for me. I should be studying for Linear Algebra and Physics right now but Japanese and Computer Science are way more inviting. Even my parents have noticed it and have said there is no shame in quitting if it's not for me. Last year, when I was in school, I was going to the gym a lot, was confident and just overall felt like I had a good life. Now, I have gained weight and I honestly just feel like quitting at this point. Knowing that this is a possible root to go to Japan but, most importantly, knowing there are actual exams you can take without having to study just makes me feel a lot better about the whole situation. University life is just devastating. No wonder the majority of people quit honestly. Sorry for the rant but I just feel like I needed to get this off my chest. Thank you for even making this video in the first place

Thanks a lot! I'm in a similar situation. I have looked over the past questions an it seems pretty easy with my knowledge to prepare for this.

Just get that piece of paper. It's a pain that you can't get a visa with a degree but once you get it you get get my job. It's worth it in general.

OMG YOU ARE A LIFE SAVER!!! 😫😫😫

This really really gave me much more hope... Thank you so much for this information :')

Thank you for the vide! I'm sorry for the question, but this one is important to me: I have no degree and experience (yet) but I will be passing ITPEC FE in a few month and I want to find an IT/programing work in Japan later. I put all my eggs in this basket, but I feel worry because on reddit I saw that this exam won't work for the IT visa and companies in Japan won't sponsor you with ITPEC and that you can only get a visa for 5 years and that's it. Is it true? If I will pass the exam, can I get a normal IT job visa and stay in Japan for longer than 5 years? You made this video 6 years ago so I suppose you stayed in Japan for longer than 5 years =) Thank you!

Been really needing this information. ARIGATO. I'll update after I take the exam

wow, man, where were you when i need you

How are you only the person on RU-vid that talks about this?

hello Look who is back , wellcome back dave :D

Now I wonder if I can go to Germany without a degree as a software engineer.

One more thing is that you have to approve your 10 years experience. I couldn’t…

Anyone here taking the April Exam 2023?

thank you for this video!

Hey great video! Can you tell me where you bought the official textbooks and other study materials?

That same situation I have thanks buddy

Could someone explain to me how to register for the test? I can't find any options to register for the next session?

Nice video😊🇯🇵🌸

thank you bro🥲

Thank you for the video is very informative! Soon i will give the ITPEC FE and your info are very usufull to me. I have 3 years of experience as software developer and i am willing to work in Japan in the near future. May i ask, what level of Japanese (JLPT) must have someone if he want to find job as developer in Japan. With basic skills is it possible or needed at least N2 level?

Nice video and full of information. If you could enlighten information on how to process for job visa for people with mechanical engineering degree, that would be helpful.

You can also marry a japanese citizen

thanks for the information, i'm now trainee in japan and I wanna change my job to full stack developer but I have a problem with visa, because I don't have university degree. maybe I will take the exam in japan.

Bro, thanks you are literally the only one who mentioned this approach, I have a question tho. You lived in Korea before moving to Japan, could you make a video (I know it was a long time ago but just in case you remember it...) about visas and how to find a job/visa sponsor in Korea?. I have a the same education as you (vocational training in tech), worked in a global 500 for 3 years, a total of 3,7 years of experience and 0 Korean skills.

Thabk you for the information, but may i ask if it is possible to have an engineering visa even without employer?

Thank you so much ! I'm in the exact same situation as you were. I couldnt find much practical infos on google to be honest, I'm guessing most of the infos i'm looking for are in Japanese and out of reach, but do you know if Manila is the only place I can pass this test in english ? I'll be in a Japanese language school and I'm wondering if there's any way I could pass the test in English in Japan, without flying to Manila. I was honestly desperate and gave up on the idea, everyone online told me that there's no way I could get a job and a visa in Japan without a university degree or 10 years of experience (or being a super mega pro in my field and getting the Highly Skilled Professional visa). I'll be honest I had a bit of a mental breakdown over the fact that my lifelong dream of moving to Japan was suddenly coming to an end just because I couldnt get to university in the past. Then I found this video and I have hope again !

lucky you dave

Hi, thank you for your advice. So it does not matter what kind of IT job you are applying for in Japan? Whether it is networking or programming, as long as you have one of these certs then it is all good visa wise? Thank you.

why don't more countries have these programs, degrees are not the future

what you need to learn to pass this test.

Has anyone else here also managed to do it?

Gonzalez Dorothy Thomas Thomas Moore Brian

Servus, hab das video gerade durch Zufall gefunden. Danke für die info, ich Arbeite momentan selbst als Software Entwickler und habe keine Abgeschlossene Ausbildung aber Abi. Vielleicht gibt es doch noch Hoffnung für mich ein Visa zu bekommen. Grüße

I will be taking my PhilNITS IT Passport Examination next week and I'm still a student is there a difference with what you have just taken? I have already passed the first IT passport exam but it is just a course.

how hard/fast was it to get a job to sponsor your visa after you passed the exam? Thanks for the video been searching for this information for awhile.

Software Engineer with 4 years work experience here. Considering taking this ITPEC FE before applying to a work visa in Japan, since I only have an Associate Degree(one level lower than a bachelors). Any thoughts?

Hello again, I've commented here before. But this time, I would like to just ask, what were your study techniques? Did you rely on the textbooks provided by PhilNits? Or do you study the previous exam? I would very very much appreciate your response!

Is it possible to get IT job without a degree by doing the same path you did? I am planning to go to IT vocational school in canada I just don't want to live in Canada you need a car for everything but in japan you don't need a car.

Love u

Thanks for the information ! Cant afford to go to Philippines, i only got the money to go to Japan TT Im such in a sh.tty position..

So where do I apply, can't find anything on their website?In japan btw, so not Philnits. Bin in der gleichen Situation wie du warst ;)

too bad covid made all things complicated including this no degree bypass basically unfeasible

Hi, I want to know. I'm studying now FE exam. The old questions are too hard for me. As for me, I don't understand clearly Chapter 1, logic is from outside. How do you think that kind of question? Pls reply me.

Hello! Thank you for the information! May I ask what programming languages you had to study for the FE exam? I can't find any information about it. Looking forward to hear from you.

Good day sir, I have a question. How long did you study before you take the exam?

pls tell me how to get that preparation book of english version? I really need it and recently i m studying vocational school in japan of FE course in japanese langauge but it is difficult to solve the problem in japanese langauge.

University degree must IT related Or NOT?plz answer me coz it 's important for me thz.

Hey, it sounds like you get the visa without a company's sponsorship in 2 weeks? Is it possible?

Do you need to renew it from time to time, or is it permanently valid?

Thanks a lot for making this video, so the exam can be taken in Japan as well? in English?

Hello, I have a question about the ITPEC FE Afternoon Exam. If I answer just one sub-question wrong, does the whole question get rejected and I get zero points? Or does each sub-question give separate points?

Does the book really helped you to passed the Exam? Is it enough to pass?

Please tell us how that exam was if it's okay :)

How many years of experience did you have before taking the ITPEC exam? I have none, but I am willing to like join BootCamps to intensively learn coding.

hi I already passed the IP exam, should I also take the FE exam to work in Japan, also what jobs should I take if I don't like programming or software development/engineering, but I like to work in systems administration and with networks.?

When you were looking for a job in Japan after getting this certificate, were you living in Germany? Or were you living in Japan? And if it’s the latter case, which visa did you have while you were looking for a job?

Would a native Brit be accepted with a Mechanical Engineering degree?

Hallo Dave, ich hab ein paar Fragen bezüglich des Themas. Ich bin nämlich an fast derselben Stelle wie du. Ich lebe zur Zeit in Tokio auf einem Studenten-visum (nach einem Jahr Working Holiday). Können wir mal irgendwie quatschen?

how long did you study for?

Is the IP exam enough to get a VISA, or is a FE exam needed?

is this applicable for level 1 ip passers?

Hey, I have a masters in Software Engineering (I am a Lithuanian living in the UK, hence I unfortunately cannot apply for a working holiday visa), I was wondering how did you go about attaining a visa to work in Japan. When you apply for it, must you have a company to sponsor you, or is this not a specific requirement. A response from anyone would be really helpful as my girlfriend had to move back to Japan due to her exchange programme ending and I am struggling in figuring out how to attain a visa to live in Japan....

Did you need to know any programming for FE exam?

Hi, thanks for the video, I didn't know about this kind of degree. I contact the Philippines office at the email address "registrar@philnits.org" and they answered me with a Yahoo email address... Is it normal? Did they do the same with you? Thanks a lot.

Was there any problem registering for the exam as a foreigner?

the test that you said was the easiest one is that one good enough?