ENTRY TEMPORARY VISAS
LONG-TERM RESIDENCE
PERMANENT RESIDENCE
DUAL NATIONALITY

ENTRY TEMPORARY VISAS

Japan has entered into visa exemption agreements with 71 countries which allows nationals of those countries to enter Japan without a visa for up to 90 days for tourism or short-term business trips that does not involve remunerative activities (i.e., “work”) and the list of countries can be found here: https://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/short/novisa.html.

If a person will work in Japan, a sponsoring company will first have to obtain a Certificate of Eligibility from the Immigration Services Agency in Japan. There are numerous employment-based categories but the most common are the Intracompany Transferee or Specialist categories. Japan also has a category for Designated Activities. The application for the Certificate of Eligibility requires an employer in Japan, which will act as a guarantor, and the list of visa categories can be found here: https://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/long/index.html.

Japan also has a specific category for Entrepreneurs or Start ups that is sponsored by certain municipalities. If the municipality approves of the start up plan, a visa can be issue for one year to establish the business. Information regarding the start-up visa can be found here: https://www.meti.go.jp/english/policy/economy/startup_nbp/startup_visa.html.

In 2024, Japan implemented a Digital Nomad Visa, which allows remote workers and their families to live in Japan for six months while working for a non-Japanese employer. The benefit of the Digital Nomad Visa is that the visa holder is not subject to Japanese taxation and the employer is not required to register to do business in Japan. The applicant must have proof of health insurance and must be paid a minimum of $68,300 per year and the visa is available to nationals of countries that have signed a visa exemption agreement with Japan. The Digital Nomad Visa is applied for directly to the Japanese Consulate in the applicant’s place of residence.

LONG-TERM RESIDENCE

Japan has procedures for a long-term residence visa based upon Japanese ancestry – generally not more than three generations removed, as long as the applicant has proof of ability to support oneself, as well as spouses of permanent residents or Japanese citizens. Japan also has a residence visa for fourth generation persons of Japanese descent who will go to Japan to engage in cultural activities.

PERMANENT RESIDENCE

Persons who have resided in Japan for 10 years (five years if in a specific work-related category may apply for permanent residence.

DUAL NATIONALITY

 Japan does not recognize dual nationality.