"Then I take a special foreigner’s test at the Kansai Ki-in, which involves beating 2 1 dan pro players as black without komi."

I think you're making a big assumption that things are similar to the way they've been in the past. Previously I believe Manfred Wimmer and James Kerwin got to be professionals in Japan without going through the standard professional exam. No one since then has done that and the organizations and budgets have changed a lot. You're much too old to get in through the standard test.

tapir, thanks for the info. I was unfamiliar with these professionals. Hong's story I can understand, since he won quite a bit of amateur tournaments in Japan. I wonder how Li got pro status in Japan.

As you say, the only important thing is to get strong. I just wouldn't count on any professional organization simply allowing you to play a couple games and become a member of their organization. Winning the WAGC is a good first step.