Japan (JP)

Japan is one of the world's most captivating destinations for expats — a country where ancient temple culture and ultra-modern technology coexist seamlessly.

Capital: Tokyo

Region: Asia

Language: Japanese

Currency: JPY (¥)

Cost of living: Expensive (index 72)

Emergency: 110 (police) / 119 (fire and ambulance)

Visa & Immigration

Entry and residence options for Japan.

Visa-Free Access

Citizens of approximately 68 countries and territories can visit Japan visa-free for tourism and short-stay purposes — typically for 90 days (EU/Schengen countries, UK, Canada, Australia, NZ) or 15 days (some Asian countries). The Visa Exemption Arrangement covers most Western nations. US citizens can stay 90 days visa-free. Note: Visa-free entry is strictly for tourism/business visits and does NOT allow employment or study. Japan suspended some visa exemptions during COVID-19 and restored them by 2023.

All work visa applications are processed by the Immigration Services Agency (出入国在留管理庁 / ISA). The Certificate of Eligibility (COE) system means most work visas must be initiated by the Japanese employer — prospective employees cannot self-sponsor. The visa stamp is applied at the Japanese consulate/embassy in your home country once the COE is issued. After arrival, register your address at the ward office within 14 days. Your Residence Card (在留カード) is issued at the airport for long-stay visas. The Zairyu Card must be carried at all times and shown on request to police. Visa extensions and status changes are processed at the regional Immigration Services Agency office. For guidance in English, the ISA has English-speaking staff at major regional offices.

Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services

技術・人文知識・国際業務 (Gijutsu / Jinmonchishiki / Kokusai Gyōmu)

¥4,000 (single-entry) or ¥6,000 (multiple-entry)

Duration: 1 year or 3 years or 5 years (renewed on expiry)

Eligibility

University graduates (bachelor's degree or higher) in a field relevant to the job, OR 10+ years of professional experience in the relevant field. Job must match the visa category — engineering, IT, finance, marketing, language teaching, translation, etc.

Processing time

COE: 1–3 months (filed by employer). Visa stamp at consulate once COE received: 3–5 business days.

Requirements

✓Valid passport
✓Completed visa application form
✓Certificate of Eligibility (COE / 在留資格認定証明書) — typically filed by the employer in Japan 1–3 months in advance
✓University diploma or degree certificate with Japanese translation
✓Employment contract with Japanese employer specifying role and salary
✓Employer's financial statements and registration documents
✓Passport photo (4.5cm x 4.5cm)

💡 The most common work visa for foreign professionals in Japan. The employer must sponsor you and file the COE — you cannot apply independently for this visa. Salary must meet the employer's standard pay scale for equivalent Japanese employees. Part-time or freelance work outside the stated employer requires prior permission from the Immigration Services Agency.

Highly Skilled Professional

高度専門職 (Kōdo Senmonshoku)

¥4,000–6,000

Duration: 5 years (HSP Type 1); permanent activity once PR granted (HSP Type 2)

Eligibility

Points-based system — minimum 70 points from: education level (doctorate +30, master +20, bachelor +10), annual salary (¥4M+ earns 10pts, ¥8M+ earns 30pts), age (under 30 +15pts, 30–34 +10pts), and bonus categories (Japanese university graduate, JLPT N1, working in designated industry, etc.)

Processing time

1–3 months for COE; 3–5 days for visa once COE received

Requirements

✓Self-scored points calculation form (high score checklist)
✓Documentary evidence for each claimed point (degrees, employment records, salary slips)
✓Employment contract with Japanese company
✓COE filed by employer
✓Passport and photo

💡 HSP visa holders get significant privileges: PR eligibility in 3 years (vs 10 years standard); 80+ points gets PR in 1 year. Spouses can work (any job, no restrictions). Parents and domestic helpers permitted as additional family members. Can switch employers more flexibly. Type 1 allows multiple professional activities. Type 2 has no activity restriction — can do any highly skilled work.

Specified Skilled Worker Type 1

特定技能1号 (Tokutei Ginō Ichi-gō)

¥4,000–6,000

Duration: Maximum 5 years total (cannot bring family in most sectors)

Eligibility

Workers in 16 designated industries (nursing care, food manufacturing, building cleaning, industrial machinery, construction, shipbuilding, automobile maintenance, aviation, lodging, fisheries, food service, agriculture, materials processing, foundry, electronic components, semiconductor). Must pass skill evaluation exam and Japanese language exam (equivalent JLPT N4 minimum).

Processing time

1–3 months for COE

Requirements

✓Passed the Skill Evaluation Exam for the relevant sector
✓Passed Japanese language exam (JLPT N4 or equivalent; or completed TITP / Technical Intern Training Program)
✓Employment contract with registered accepting organisation
✓Support plan from accepting organisation
✓COE filed by the accepting organisation

💡 Created in 2019 to address Japan's severe labour shortage. Replaces the old Technical Intern Training Program (TITP) which was criticised for labour abuses. SSW Type 1 allows changing employers within the same sector. No permanent residence pathway directly from SSW Type 1 alone.

Specified Skilled Worker Type 2

特定技能2号 (Tokutei Ginō Ni-gō)

¥4,000–6,000

Duration: Renewable without limit; eligible for PR after 10 years of legal residence (or via standard PR route)

Eligibility

Workers who have completed SSW Type 1 and pass a higher-level skill evaluation exam. Currently open to 11 sectors (construction and shipbuilding/shipwork were first; majority of sectors opened in 2023).

Processing time

1–3 months

Requirements

✓Completion of SSW Type 1 or equivalent experience
✓Pass higher-level skill evaluation exam for the sector
✓Employment contract
✓COE from employer

💡 Allows bringing spouse and children as dependants. Can lead to permanent residency through the standard 10-year residency route. Significantly more stable than SSW Type 1.

Working Holiday Visa

ワーキングホリデービザ

Free for most nationalities

Duration: 1 year (not renewable in Japan; some countries allow re-application from home)

Eligibility

Citizens of countries with Working Holiday Agreements with Japan: Australia, New Zealand, Canada, UK, Ireland, Germany, France, Denmark, Portugal, Poland, Slovakia, Norway, Iceland, Czech Republic, Hungary, Spain, Argentina, Chile. Aged 18–30 (UK: up to 30; some countries allow 35). Must have a return ticket or funds to purchase one (typically ¥250,000 equivalent).

Processing time

2–4 weeks at Japanese embassy

Requirements

✓Valid passport from eligible country
✓Age requirement (18–30)
✓Proof of sufficient funds (¥250,000 or return ticket)
✓Application at Japanese embassy/consulate in home country
✓Good health (medical certificate may be required)
✓No dependants travelling with you

💡 The most flexible visa for young travellers — allows working in any job (including English teaching, hospitality, farming, office work). No employer sponsorship required. You can also study Japanese (up to 3 months). Cannot be extended in Japan — must leave and re-apply from home country. Very popular: Japan issues over 30,000 WHV per year to Australian citizens alone.

Business Manager Visa

経営・管理 (Keiei / Kanri)

¥4,000–6,000

Duration: 3 months, 1 year, 3 years, or 5 years

Eligibility

Entrepreneurs and business owners. Must establish a registered company in Japan (KK or GK) with a physical office in Japan. Business plan required. Typically expects investment of ¥5M+ or employment of 2+ full-time staff.

Processing time

1–4 months (more complex than standard work visas)

Requirements

✓Registered company in Japan (KK or GK)
✓Physical office lease agreement
✓Detailed business plan
✓Proof of ¥5M+ investment or 2+ full-time employees
✓Applicant's management capability documentation
✓COE or in-country application

💡 The primary route for foreign entrepreneurs and self-employed professionals. Starting the company before applying for the visa is the typical approach — the visa is then obtained based on the established entity. Many immigration lawyers specialise in this visa category for foreign investors.

Digital Nomad Visa (Temporary Visitor for Remote Work)

Digital Nomad

デジタルノマドビザ (Dejitaru Nomado Biza)

Free for nationals of visa-exempt countries

Duration: 6 months (single entry, not renewable within Japan — must leave and re-enter)

Eligibility

Citizens of countries with which Japan has a tax treaty (approximately 49 countries as of 2024, including USA, UK, most EU countries, Canada, Australia). Must earn ¥10M+ (≈USD 65,000+) per year from remote work for employers/clients outside Japan. Must have comprehensive health insurance covering Japan. Cannot work for Japanese-based clients or companies.

Processing time

Typically handled as an enhanced tourist visa — apply at port of entry or Japanese consulate. Processing time varies.

Requirements

✓Passport from a country with a Japan tax treaty
✓Annual income of ¥10M+ from non-Japanese sources
✓Proof of remote employment (contract/employment letter from overseas employer)
✓Last 3 months of income documentation (salary slips or bank statements)
✓Comprehensive health insurance valid in Japan (private travel insurance with medical coverage)
✓Return ticket or onward travel documentation
✓Accommodation details in Japan

💡 Launched March 2024. Japan's answer to growing demand for digital nomad accommodation. Allows 6 months of stay with remote work rights — but working for Japanese companies or clients is prohibited. No path to PR or renewal in Japan. After 6 months, must leave Japan before reapplying (no same-year re-entry guarantee). Income threshold of ¥10M is high compared to other countries' digital nomad visas but reflects Japan's cost of living.

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