Hello. I’m Saori, in charge of our education migration media.
I’m writing this article from a cafe in Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur.
In recent years, the number of families choosing education migration has truly increased.
Designing an environment for your children across borders.
It’s a very exciting family project.
However, the process is often accompanied by the “unexpected.”
Today, I bring you information to help reduce that “unexpected.”
Especially regarding a major system change scheduled for 2026.
April 2026: “Tax-Free Shopping” During Home Visits Will Change Drastically
First, let’s start with the topic I’ve been most concerned about lately.
It’s a topic related more to the subsequent lifestyle than to “education migration” itself.
When we living abroad make a temporary visit home, one of the joys is tax-free shopping.
Because we can purchase Japan’s high-quality goods tax-free.
Especially families with children buy stationery, clothing, and consumables in bulk.
The common sense until now was “buy tax-free and ship the luggage ahead.”
However, this method will, in principle, become unusable from April 2026.
The system is changing, making it mandatory for tax-free goods to be “carried out of the country by the purchaser themselves.”
In other words, advance shipping via courier will become difficult.
Your suitcase upon return will likely become more important than ever.
Or, you may need to increase the proportion of goods sourced locally.
This change is highly likely to impact living costs and home visit plans.
It’s a practical change that cannot be dismissed as a “minor detail.”
“I Want My Child in This School!” Then, First Check the Visa Requirements
Now, the first step in education migration is deciding “which country and which school.”
However, equally important is “with which visa you will enter and reside.”
I also receive inquiries from readers regarding visa choices in places like Malaysia.
The feeling of “I just want to get overseas first!” is very understandable.
But, if you have the hope that “I absolutely want my child to attend this specific school.”
Whether that school permits enrollment with the visa you plan to obtain.
Checking this in advance is a top priority.
For example, some schools do not permit enrollment on a tourist visa or certain long-term stay visas.
The issuance of a child’s student visa can sometimes be linked to the parent’s proper residence status.
Once you find your desired school, immediately check with the admissions office.
Ask, “What visa type is required?”
This extra step prevents major troubles later on.
The popular articles on our media were also about visa procedures.
That’s how high the interest is, and also how challenging the task can be.
The Foundation of Local Life: How to Secure Household Support (A Maid)?
Once life settles down, the next challenge is how to improve the quality of life.
Especially for dual-income or entrepreneur families, household support is essential.
A frequent question I receive is “How do you find a maid?”
Local search methods are mainly divided into three routes.
1. Referral from an acquaintance: The most reliable method.
A referral from someone already living there provides insight into track record and character.
2. Through an agency: Involves a fee but is certain.
The advantage is being able to delegate intermediary management like paperwork and guarantees.
3. Searching on local job sites or communities: Direct recruitment.
Options broaden, but interviews and assessment become entirely your own responsibility.
Whichever method you choose, present clear job descriptions and conditions.
Also, complying with local labor laws is something our entrepreneur readers will understand.
Quality support greatly influences a family’s satisfaction with local life.
Education Migration is All About the Balance Between a Roadmap and Flexibility
So far, we’ve talked about tax-free shopping, visas, and household support.
These are all parts that form the “foundation” of your grand education plan.
Pursuing an ideal educational environment is wonderful.
However, to turn that ideal into reality, you need a practical footing.
Laws and systems change. Like the 2026 tax-free system revision.
School policies also change. Like visa acceptance conditions.
That’s precisely why a modifiable plan is more important than a perfect plan.
Always update your information and keep multiple options available.
It’s the same in business, right?
Education migration is a bold investment in your family’s future.
Its success is measured by children’s smiles and the family’s peaceful daily life.
Dream big while keeping a firm eye on the practical realities at your feet.
That sense of balance is what realizes a rich education migration life.
I hope this media can deliver “useful information” for that purpose.
Next time, I’ll share more practical topics seen from the field.
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