- General visa: allows individuals to stay in Japan from 3 months to up to 3 years. ...
- Working visa: granted to individuals with particular skill sets or qualifications covering a number of different professions.
- Specified visa: meant for the spouses and children of Japanese nationals. ...
- Diplomatic visa: granted to individuals who engage in activities as part of a diplomatic mission, consular office or embassy or any supportive role affiliated with such. ...
- Official visa: granted to businessmen, foreign governments or international organizations recognized by the Japanese government. The maximum allowable length of stay varies for this type of visa.
Do Americans need a visa to enter Japan?
Under normal circumstances, Japan offers visa-free entry to many countries, including the United States, Australia, and European nations. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, visa exemptions are suspended until further notice. This means that travelers who normally enjoy visa exemption for Japan may have to apply for a visa.
Do I need a visa to travel in Japan from the United States?
You do not need a visa to travel in Japan if you are from the United States. You can visit Japan for 90 days or less with just a standard passport. If you are going to stay for more than 90 days, then you will need to contact the Japanese embassy to request a visa application.
What are the requirements for a Japanese visa?
the following are the usual requirements for obtaining a working visa for japan: a valid passport, a recent photograph, a letter from your future employer (or sponsor) stating your position and expected salary, a certificate of eligibility (the application for which requires documentation from your prospective employer), a curriculum vitae and …
How early to apply the visa to Japan?
How early can I apply for a Japan visa? As mentioned, the standard single-entry visa is valid for 90 days since issue date, so you can apply as early as 3 months before your travel date. But “3 months before” would be cutting it too close to expiry date.
How can I permanently live in Japan?
You can apply for Japan Permanent Residency if you fulfill the following requirements:You have been living in Japan for a sufficient period of time. ... You display good conduct. ... You can support yourself financially. ... You have paid Income Tax and other contributions in Japan.More items...
How long can you live in Japan on a visa?
Most statuses of residence allow you to stay in Japan for a period between three months and five years. If you wish to stay longer, you must apply for an extension at an immigration bureau inside Japan before the expiry date of your current residence permission.
Do you have to have a visa to move to Japan?
To enter Japan you need a passport and a visa (unless you are from a country which is visa-exempt). There are a number of different types of Japanese visas which are designed by the Japanese government for different purposes and lengths of time.
How do I get a visa to move to Japan?
One of the easiest ways is by being offered a job before your arrival in the country. Your company in Japan will then start the visa application process for you. They will do this by issuing a Certificate of Eligibility, which is a requirement for all Japanese visas.
How do I get a 5 year Japanese visa?
Procedures for Obtaining a Long-Term Stay Visa for JapanVisit the Japanese Embassy in Your Country. ... Contact Your Japanese Connection. ... Prepare the Documents to Apply for a Visa. ... Work Visa. ... General Visa. ... Highly Skilled Professional Visa. ... Specified Visa. ... Start-up Visa.More items...•
Is it hard to live in Japan as a foreigner?
Living in Japan is very comfortable, but it will not be easy for you to feel like home. One of the aspects that struck me the most when I first arrived in Japan was that, unlike in Spain, in Japan people talk very little (or almost nothing) about controversial issues such as politics, religion or taxes.
Can I just move to Japan?
Can an American move to Japan? Yes. You can move to Japan from the US. You'll need to apply for the relevant visa for your situation, at the Japanese Embassy or Consulate² which is closest to your home.
How long can you stay in Japan without a visa?
90 daysYou must have a valid passport and an onward/return ticket for tourist/business "visa free" stays of up to 90 days. Your passport must be valid for the entire time you are staying in Japan. You cannot work on a 90-day "visa free" entry.
What are the requirements to move to Japan?
If you've made your mind up about moving to Japan, there are four things you'll need. Those four things are a passport, one visa application form, one photograph, and a Certificate of Eligibility (COE). The first three are fairly straightforward, but the COE requires a bit more work.
What are the 4 types of visa?
Probably one of the four main types: tourist, immigration, student, or work.
Can you move to Japan without a job?
Moving to Japan, and any other developed country can be a great beneficial experience for your career and family's long-term goals, as these countries will have the capacity to provide many benefits such as the superb education and healthcare systems, unfortunately Japan does not currently allow foreigners to migrate ...
Can a foreigner buy a house in Japan?
There are no restrictions on foreigners buying land or property in the country, and no citizenship or resident visa is required. That said, without a work visa or permanent resident status, obtaining a loan can be difficult. Foreign buyers typically opt to pay cash for this reason.
How can I stay in Japan for 6 months?
Working Holiday Visas For Japan The working holiday visa is a single entry visa with stays permitted from 6 months (extendable for another 6 months) for Australia and Canada to one year (non-extendable) for Denmark, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, France, Germany, Ireland, UK, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Norway.
What's the longest you can stay in Japan?
Generally, tourist visas will stay valid for up to 90 days from the day you land in Japan. There are other visas that will be good beyond 90 days up to five years. Make sure your visit to Japan is planned before the expiry date so that you can use your visa.
How long can I stay in Japan visa free?
90 daysA passport and onward/return transportation ticket are required. Visas are not required for tourist/business stay of up to 90 days.
How long does it take to get a visa to Japan?
So that’s the skinny. If you want to move to Japan then you need to get a visa. If you want to visit for 6 months (180 days) and are on the above Visa Exempt list then by all means visit for 6 months.
How many days can you stay in Japan?
There is an unwritten but strongly agreed upon ’180’ day rule for a visitor in Japan. Meaning form the time you enter Japan to one year later you get 180 days in Japan. This means then that you could only do the ‘border’ trick once. Yes that is the case.
What is a spouse in Japan?
Spouse, etc. of a Japanese national (Examples: spouse of a Japanese national, biological child of a Japanese national)#N#Spouse, etc. of a permanent resident (Examples: spouse of a permanent resident, biological child of a permanent resident)#N#Long-term resident (Examples: persons with Japanese ancestry, Indochinese refugee settlers, the spouse or children of Japanese nationals left behind in China, etc.)#N#Designated activities (Examples: foreign nationals who wish to enter Japan as personal help privately employed by diplomats, etc., foreign nationals who wish to enter Japan for a working holiday or for paid internships, candidate nurses and care workers who wish to enter Japan based on an EPA, etc.)
How long does a working holiday visa last?
Working Holiday Visas last for 6 months or one year and are only issued once. You must be in your home country to apply for one, and once approved you can then go to Japan.
What are designated activities in Japan?
Designated activities (Examples: foreign nationals who wish to enter Japan as personal help privately employed by diplomats, etc., foreign nationals who wish to enter Japan for a working holiday or for paid internships, candidate nurses and care workers who wish to enter Japan based on an EPA, etc.)
What are some examples of cultural activities in Japan?
Cultural activities (Examples: unpaid internships, people studying the tea ceremony or Japanese flower arranging, etc.)#N#College student (Examples: college students, occasional students and research students, etc. enrolling in a university, etc. in Japan)#N#Precollege student (Examples: college students enrolling in a high school in Japan, students enrolling in a Japanese language school, etc.)#N#Training (Examples: trainees in a company, a local government, etc., participants in the Industrial Training and Technical Internship Program, etc. (* Including practical training for 90 days or less)#N#Family stays (Examples: The spouse and children, etc. of a foreign national on a long-term stay)
What level of Japanese do I need to pass the Japanese language test?
The test is delivered and written in full kanji, hiragana and katakana. You’d need to have a Grade 5 or 6 level of Japanese in order to understand and pass this test. Which means you’d have to have a high intermediate/ or advanced level. But not fluent.
How long does it take to move from one address to another in Japan?
If you move from one residence in Japan to another, you are required to report to your current municipal office first and then to your new municipal office within 14 days to register your new address.
Can you have a residence card in Japan?
Carry your Residence Card with you at all times. The Japanese Police are allowed to stop you and ask to see the card at any time, and not having it with you is a violation of local law.
What type of visa is needed for Japan?
One of the Japan visa types available for citizens of non-visa exempt countries is the transit visa . This type of visa for Japan is a requirement for travelers who need to stop over in Japan while en route to another country. To get this visa type is necessary to gather the necessary documents including a valid passport and a completed visa form.
How to get a visa for Japan?
To obtain an official visa it is necessary to have a passport, a photograph, and a note verbale and/or documents issued by the foreign government or international organization, certifying the identity of the person concerned and his or her purposes while visiting Japan. A visa application form should also be completed.
How long does a working visa last in Japan?
A working visa can grant its holder authorizations for periods of three months to up to five years, depending on the case. The process to get a work permit for Japan starts with finding a sponsor in the country that will apply to the Regional Immigration Bureau in Japan for a certificate of eligibility.
What documents are needed for a diplomatic visa in Japan?
Among the documents necessary for this type of visa, it is necessary to provide a passport, photograph and a note verbale and/or documents issued by the foreign government or international organization, certifying the identity of the person concerned and his or her purposes while visiting Japan.
What is a work visa in Japan?
The Working Visa is designed for a number of different kinds of professionals including professors, artists, business managers, researchers, etc.
How many points do you need to get a Japanese visa?
Applicants must score 70 points or more to be eligible for this visa type.
How long can a Japanese citizen stay in Japan?
The period of stay with this visa can range from 5 years, 3 years, 1 year or six months.
Japan is an awesome place to live, work and play
Working and living in Japan is a dream for many people around the world, but if your uncertainty about your visa status in Japan is holding you back, don’t let that be what keeps you from your dreams of living in Japan.
Know before you land if you need a visa to Japan
Check below to see if your country is one of many that allows you get to Japan without a visa. If your country isn’t on the list, don’t worry. There are still ways to get to Japan.
Applying for a visa to go to Japan is not necessary for over 67 countries
If you want to just double check to see if your country is on the visa-exemption list for Japan, check this list below by the 日本国外務省 Nihonkoku Gaimusho Japanese Ministry of foreign affairs.
Nationalities that can stay in Japan for up to 90 days on non-extendable visas
Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, The Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Italy, Israel, Iceland, Lesotho, Luxembourg, Malta, Macedonia, Mauritius, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Serbia, Singapore, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Surinam, Sweden, Tunisia, Turkey, The USA and Uruguay..
Easing restrictions for ASEAN nations
You may notice that in recent years, several ASEAN country passport holders cannot enter Japan and obtain a visa on arrival.
ASEAN countries that enter Japan without a visa
The ASEAN countries that can enter Japan without a visa as of today are Thailand, Brunei, and Indonesia (provided you register with your ePassport ahead of time). But notice that they can only stay in Japan for 15 days at a time.
Vietnamese, Indonesian and Filipino passport holders: Be aware of inaccurate news online
The MOFA website reports the following regarding Vietnamese and Filipino passport holders:
What types of long-term visas are there to live in Japan and how much do they cost?
Before you can apply for a long-term visa for Japan, you usually need a so-called Certificate of Eligibility (CoE). This certificate is proof of the applicant’s fulfillment of certain entry and residence requirements and, except for the Working Holiday Visa, is required for all long-term visas.
How can I get Permanent Residence in Japan?
Perhaps you already have a work or spouse visa for Japan, and you are wondering when and how you can apply for permanent residency.
What do I have to do before I emigrate to Japan and shortly after?
Now that we have clarified which requirements and documents you need for which visa, we now come to a checklist of the things that you should consider before and shortly after your emigration so that everything runs smoothly.
Is it possible to become a Japanese citizen?
The decision to adopt another nationality, in this case, the Japanese one, may be made for different reasons, be it the advantages of the Japanese passport, the desire to vote, or professional background, such as changing jobs in the public service in Japan. If you are also thinking about taking on Japanese citizenship, here are the requirements you have to meet and how the application process works.
How big is a passport photo?
A passport photo (45mm x 45mm/ 2in x 2in) that is no older than 6 months.
How many people have Japanese citizenship in 2019?
In 2019, around 10,455 people had exactly this wish. 8,453 people received the Japanese citizenship (国籍取得 kokuseki shutoku, acquisition of citizenship) and around 5.7 percent of naturalization applications (帰化申請 kikashinsei) were rejected. So, you can see that it is not entirely impossible to become Japanese on a passport.
How many natural disasters happen in Japan every year?
Numerous natural disasters hit Japan every year. Japan’s earth shakes around 5,000 times a year, experiences an average of three typhoons per season, and brings with them floods, followed by heat waves of up to 41 degrees, as it did in 2018. If you have decided to emigrate to Japan, you’ll have to learn to be prepared for natural disasters.
Where to apply for a visa for Japan?
All you'll need to do is to apply for the relevant visa, depending on your reason for staying in Japan, at the nearest Japanese Embassy or Consulate General in your home country . The documents that you should bring with you, are:
What is a certificate of eligibility in Japan?
The Japanese consulate describes the Certificate of Eligibility as: A Certificate of Eligibility is issued before a visa application by a regional immigration authority under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Justice as evidence that the foreign national meets the conditions for landing in Japan, including the requirements ...
Is it hard to move to Japan?
As you can see, the process of moving to Japan isn’t too hard. In just a few easy steps, you’ll be living comfortably in Japan in no time. Good luck with your move!
Does Japan have universal health insurance?
While individuals are required to carry their own health insurance, it is provided by a universal healthcare insurance system that guarantees mostly equal access to insurance and services, at a price laid out by the Japanese government.
Is Japan a good country to open a bank account?
Setting up your finances in Japan will feel pretty familial, in one of the world’s best banking systems. The only part that may seem a little foreign is the process of opening a bank account over a cup of tea and polite conversation.
Do Japanese people speak English?
Despite the fact that many Japanese people may know some English, Japanese culture is one in which knowing the language is key to fitting in and becoming part of life in the country. Getting started on your Japanese is easy through sites and apps like duolingo, tofugu, and even freejapaneselessons.com.
Is Japan a gaijin country?
Japan’s gaijin, or expat community is pretty strong, as inclusivity in Japan is fairly limited to other Japanese people or those who speak excellent japanese. If you’re looking to meet up with other expats from your home country, a quick search on facebook or meetup will produce tons of results.
How long does a Japanese visa last?
The long-stay visa lasts three more years. After the first six years, you can apply to become a Japanese permanent resident. You must go through a testing process to prove that you are fluent in Japanese and have a strong understanding of Japanese culture.
How long does it take to get a permanent resident visa?
The final way to get a permanent resident visa takes many years. First, you must stay in the country for three years on one-year visas. Then, you will be able to apply for a long-stay visa. This visa requires a Certificate of Eligibility from the Ministry of Justice. To get this certificate, you must meet several criteria of the Immigration Control Act.
How much does the government pay for healthcare in Japan?
The government pays for 70% of healthcare costs for residents and pays more for low-income residents. People pay into this system with their taxes. Anyone who legally lives in Japan for over one year can enroll themselves in the National Health Insurance or Employees’ Health Insurance programs.
What is the healthcare system in Japan?
Healthcare in Japan. The Japanese public healthcare system is consistently ranked in the top ten healthcare systems in the world by the World Health Organization. This ranking is based on efficiency, quality, responsiveness, and fairness in financing.
Is Japan safe to travel?
Safety in Japan. Japan has a very low crime rate. As when traveling anywhere, travelers are warned to be mindful in crowded spaces, as pickpocketing and other petty crime do happen. Overall, the food quality is very high in Japan and there is very little risk of foodborne illness.
Is Japan a good place to retire?
Japan is a stunning destination and highly sought after by Americans who want to retire abroad. It is very difficult to gain residency in Japan, but if you do, it can be a great place to retire. The healthcare system is one of the best in the world.
Can Americans travel to Japan?
Not only is Japan a popular tourist destination, but it’s easy for Americans to enter Japan as tourists. Americans can enter Japan without a visa and are able to stay up to 90 days visa-free and are assigned Temporary Visitor status.
How long do you have to have a passport to visit Japan?
You must have a valid passport and an onward/return ticket for tourist/business "visa free" stays of up to 90 days. Your passport must be valid for the entire time you are staying in Japan.
How long does it take to get a pet in Japan?
CIB for details. Pets: The Japanese Animal Quarantine Service (AQS) sets procedures for importing pets. At a minimum, the process will take seven to eight months, though the process can take up to a year before a pet may enter Japan.
How is driving in Japan?
Road Conditions and Safety: Driving in Japan is complicated and expensive. Traffic moves on the left side of the road. Those who cannot read the language will have trouble understanding road signs. Highway tolls can be very high. City traffic is often very congested. A 20-mile trip in the Tokyo area may take two hours. There is virtually no legal roadside or curbside parking; however, traffic is commonly blocked or partially blocked by those illegally parked curbside. In mountainous areas, roads are often closed during the winter, and cars should be equipped with tire chains. Roads in Japan are much narrower than those in the United States.
What is the phone number for Japan Automobile Federation?
Emergency Assistance: For roadside assistance, please contact the Japan Automobile Federation (JAF) at 03-5730-0111 in Tokyo, 072-645-0111 in Osaka, 011-857-8139 in Sapporo, 092-841-5000 in Fukuoka, or 098-877-9163 in Okinawa.
What is the NPA in Japan?
See our Road Safety page for more information. The National Police Agency (NPA) oversees the administration and enforcement of traffic laws in Japan. You can find further information in English on the NPA English website. Information about roadside assistance, rules of the road, and obtaining a Japanese driver's license is available in English from the Japan Automobile Federation (JAF) web site. See the Japan National Tourism Organization’s website for car rental and driving in Japan.
How much alcohol can you drink in Japan?
Driving under the influence of alcohol could also land you immediately in jail. The blood-alcohol limit in Japan is 0.03%. Punishments can be up to 10,000 USD in fines and up to five years in prison.
What is the blood alcohol level in Japan?
Japan has a national 0.03 percent blood-alcohol-level standard for driving, and drivers stopped for driving under the influence of intoxicants will have their licenses confiscated. If you’re found guilty of driving under the influence, speeding, or blatantly careless driving resulting in injury, you are subject to up to 15 years in prison.
