Passport of Japan

Japanese citizenship helps immigrants to have equal rights with local residents, integrate into society and become a full member of it. The document of national identity is the invariable leader of the world index. The passport of a Japanese citizen has never fallen below the third position. It has high diplomatic strength, opens the borders of 116 visa-free countries.

Residents are given a document in a dark blue cover in a laconic patriotic design for 10 years. It is decorated with a seal with a chrysanthemum, the golden signature "The State of Japan". The visa pages are decorated with famous Ukiyo-e stories created by the hands of illustrators Hokusai and Hiroshige. Each is protected by chips against counterfeiting. For cosmopolitans, applying for the status, the rules, requirements, deadlines and sequence of actions are legally prescribed.

How to obtain a Japanese passport?

In 2024, nothing changed in the national law. Citizenship of Japan is issued to applicants from 20 years of age on various grounds. The authorities require to comply with the residency requirement for 5 years, not to violate the laws, to have a bank deposit of $2,000 per month, to refuse the first passport in favor of the Japanese passport. Foreigners are required to speak/ write the state language, the certificate "Nihongo Noryoku Shiken".

Only persons with national/ territorial affiliation can apply for citizenship in a simplified manner. The rest undergo a legal procedure on general terms.

The reasons for registration are different:

Birth and origin. One Japanese parent is enough for this reason. Stateless persons who lived in the territory fall into the category.

Standard naturalization. Foreigners enter the territory on visas for study, work, commercial affairs and live for 5 years on a residence permit. During the year, they must stay at the registration address for 292 days.

Marriage. The spouses are naturalized in 3 years and obtain Japanese citizenship in a short period.

Investment. The law does not provide for the direct purchase of a "golden" visa. Investors come to the country of the rising sun according to the Business Manager, sponsor the economy, and after naturalization, together with their families, formalize the status.

Japanese Nationality Law

Public services are guided by the legislation of 1952 N 268, family record of 1947, supplemented by regulation N89 of 1993. They determine the grounds for citizenship, restoration of the rights of people who have lost their status, and regulate the activities of the Minister of Justice.

Documents for the passport

The exact list depends on the basis, profession, and requirements of the prefecture. For details, experts recommend contacting the Ministry of Justice. The site publishes requirements for different categories of applicants, samples of forms. On official sources, you can find the current passport index, information on which countries you can go to without a visa and where you need stamps.

Basic file:

• paper application in Japanese;
• civil status document; 
• certified translations of passports and metrics for children;
• a copy of the permanent residence card;
• letter of motivation;
• renunciation of first citizenship; 
• diploma of education; 
• a statement of income or a sponsorship commitment; 
• lease agreement;
• tax certificate;
• medical certificate. 

The consular officer has the right to request additional information, certificates of qualification and language course, and consent of minor family members for a Japanese passport.

The period of consideration of the case is approximately 2 months. The wait for naturalization is extended for 6 years.

Registration of the status simplifies the availability of property/ real estate, pension health insurance. The process is complicated by the lack of professional recommendations, letters with a patriotic context.

Investor's folder

The country has created a program for investors and businessmen who want to receive civil privileges for capital. For recipients of the "golden" visa, the list is adjusted according to the national program. Applicants collect files after 5 years of naturalization. The package of documents:

• more susceptible to the payment of the investment amount;
• the right to participate in the program;
• proof of incorporation of the company;
• business licenses;
• certificate of qualification;
• address certificate;
• lease agreements for premises;
• statement of account balances;
• tax declaration; 
• documents of legalization of employees;
• health certificate for all family members 12+.

How much does the Japanese passport cost?

Expenses are added depending on the grounds and program. Investors invest 5,000,000 JPY in the economy. Managers, CEOs who arrived on visas for business managers, contribute 2,500,000 JPY to the budget.

Price in JPY:

• transfers and legalization of securities – $6,000-$10,000;
• residence permit – $4,000;
• registration of permanent residence – $3,500- $6,000;
• application for citizenship – $8,000;
• language exam – $5,000-$9,000;
• passport – $110.

Due to the complexity of the procedure, insufficient information, and ignorance of local laws, it is better to delegate the process to an immigration lawyer.