how do i leave
Posted by OkAnything8151@reddit | expats | View on Reddit | 9 comments
Hi everyone,
I’ve made the decision to leave the US for good. I can’t take the stress, the politics, or the lack of basic humanity here anymore. Everything requires a fucking bachelors degree and I can't find a job despite finally getting my GED (I have severe mental health issues and had to drop out of High School). I’m done. I’m looking for practical advice on relocating to a developed country with a better quality of life.
I’m a bit confused by all the negativity and gatekeeping I see on this sub. Not everyone has a STEM degree or married a foreigner, but we still deserve a chance at a better life. I’m a friendly, open-minded person with some experience in retail and food service. I’m confident that Japan needs people to run their restaurants or stores.
I have some questions
- Can I get by speaking only English, at least for the first few years. I don’t have the time or money for intensive language courses right now. I also don't think I could handle memorizing so many words. I was never a good student.
- Is there a clear path to permanent residency that doesn’t take a decade or require me to be a brain surgeon. There must be some kind of humanitarian or “show up with a willingness to learn and contribute” visa for people like me.
- Free healthcare that’s actually easy to use. I have ongoing health things that need monitoring, and I shouldn’t have to bankrupt myself for it. I should be able to go to a doctor whenever I want to.
- Good public transit. My anxiety prevents me from driving.
- I heard you can get an apartment very cheaply but they can be small. I'm worried as I will also be bringing over my cat and two emotional support dogs which are pretty big.
I’m not asking for a handout, just a fair shot. Surely there’s a process for me who just wants to live peacefully and figure things out while they are young. Everyone makes it sound impossible, but it can’t be that hard if you’re determined. I'm willing to show up with my can-do spirit, that should be enough.
Thanks for any real advice. Please do not comment if you have nothing nice to say.
Baejax_the_Great@reddit
Beyond all the visa information you are currently getting, it will cost thousands of dollars to move two dogs and a cat to a new country. So... just start saving, I guess.
As for routes to permanent residency, frankly a marriage visa is often the "easiest" way. It's not easy at all in most places, and obviously you need to find someone who wants to marry you, but the only qualification for it is finding someone who wants to marry you.
Deval_Dragon@reddit
Sorry, I am not aware of any countries accepting refugees from the USA. Yet.
inga-babi@reddit
I’m sorry you’re dealing with so many issues but you’re absolutely asking for a handout with: no degree or even GED, no special skills that can contribute to a new country (other than “I’m friendly”), no language skills, 2 emotional support dogs, and will extensively rely on free healthcare and public transport.
Seriously, what is the new country gaining from admitting you in as a resident?
Sufficient-Job7098@reddit
So do you want us to lie it tell the truth?
If we tell you truth you will view this as gatekeeping
If we tell you lies it will not be helpful.
Practical_Gas9193@reddit
We are considering leaving, too, but you really need to consider whether there is actually somewhere better for you, rather than just assume that because things are bad, there must be a better place.
okayteenay@reddit
This has got to be a troll post. Seriously?!
outtahere416@reddit
If people who bring absolutely nothing to the table could just pick and move to any desirable western country, do you think we would have illegal immigrants risking their lives crossing into the US and Europe? Why would they not just get a “show up with a willingness to learn and contribute visa” instead of crossing the Mediterranean Sea in busted up boats?
SkittyLover93@reddit
These roles in Japan are not eligible for visa sponsorship (I'm on a work visa there for a tech job). Sometimes those positions are filled by people already there on student visas, particularly in Tokyo.
For a work visa in Japan, generally you either need a bachelor's degree, or at least 10 years of experience in the field that the job is in. These days, jobs that will sponsor visas are also more likely to want proficiency in Japanese, since there has been an increase in applications.
You may want to read the wiki in /r/movingtojapan, particularly the visa section.
LegendarySmokeStory@reddit
Illegal immigration limits quality of life so you need to find a path to legally move to a new country. Assuming you are American, something you can look into is the DAFT or Dutch American Friendship Treaty which allows entrepreneurs with some money in the bank move to the Netherlands as well as some Netherlands controlled islands in the Caribbean.