Residence permit of Japan

There are 28 types of visas for foreigners in the country. People come here to study, work, visit, and reunite their families. Immigrants can become participants in the program for freelancers and digital nomads, engage in entrepreneurial activities, and buy real estate.

When staying abroad, holders of certain categories of visas receive permanent residence, social rights and privileges. Residency status depends on the type of activity. For short trips a tourist visa (temporary visitor residency permit) is enough.

Please note

Citizens from 67 countries with a visa-free regime come to Japan based on passports. Those who are not on the list regardless of the duration of their visit, need stamps on visa pages.

Relocants planning to stay and naturalize in the island state apply for long-term permits.

Types of residence permit

Foreigners who frequently visit Japan are familiar with the expression “landing permission”. After checking the documents, the inspectors clarify the purpose of the trip and put stamps. The stamp indicates the status and type of activity. Expats with long-term plans apply exclusively for a residence permit. It expands the horizons in employment, job search, and commercial activities.

Invitations and sponsorships

Most of it is related to invitations from host organizations or individuals. Visa sponsors are educational institutions, companies, and relatives. Categories are conditionally divided into following types: work, education, family. Foreigners have the right to apply for only one type.

The registration process begins with an application for a certificate of conformity. (CoC) and submission to the Immigration Office. After processing (2-4 months), it is attached to the file and taken to the embassy, where it is stamped in 3 days. A list of documents for each permit type is published on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.

Residency permit upon purchase of real estate

Acquisition of condominiums, houses, commercial properties into ownership does not give the right to obtain temporary residence or citizenship. The country a priori does not have an investment scheme with threshold amounts for the purchase of a "golden visa". Investment only contributes to making a positive decision and extending the deadlines. Wealthy immigrants are legalized in the country on general grounds. The purchasing laws are identical for Japanese and foreigners.

List of documents

File for the acquisition of real estate:

• passport; 
• Zariryu Card or Visa:
• stamp (Jitsuin); 
• stamp impression (INCAN);
• confirmation of income and solvency;
• Affidavit. 

For registration, a standard package is collected and a purchase and sale agreement is attached.

Student residency permit

To study at a college or university, international students apply for a Student Visa for a year and renew it for the required number of times. The grounds are also internships, study at a language school. The type of visa depends on the period of study and citizenship.

For those who are interested in short-term training for 3 months, a tourist visa is suitable. For six months - a Short-term Study suffices. Students from 8 countries are allowed to study under the tourist Temporary Visitor Visa. The rest people obtain permits in diplomatic missions. By default, it assumes a scholarship of $600-$1,600, but it limits the work. It is allowed to work part-time – 28 hours a week.

List of documents

To submit a file to the regional bureau, you need:

• international passport; 
• visa application form;
• history of education in the file;
• invitation of an educational institution;
• confirmation of enrollment;
•  $20,000 Balance of Deposit Certificate or Sponsorship Letter;
• payment of the registration fee.

Residency permit for financially independent relocants

In 2024, a program was launched for digital nomads, freelancers, and employees of their families to work remotely. It allows people to live in the territory for 6 months without the right to renew, receive a Japanese card. The project for remote work was created to attract capital and stimulate the ecosystem.

Information

The authorities expect to replenish the budget by $800 billion with the help of digital nomads. Immigration status is also available to investors (business angels) who are ready to invest in startups and provide expert support.

List of documents

Temporary residency is issued in the presence of:

• resume – CV in Spanish;
• passports with a visa;
• agreement with a foreign legal entity;
• annual income of $68,000;
• diploma and proven experience;
• letters from the employer;
• purchase of medical insurance;
• payment of state duty.

Residency permit by marriage

Registering a relationship with a Japanese citizen paves the way to a Japanese passport. A spouse visa is issued for a year with the possibility of extension, provided that the spouse works and pays taxes. Residency is issued after 3 years of marriage and residence in the territory for at least one year. Married heirs immediately become citizens. In the event of a divorce, foreign spouses are forced to obtain a residency permit on another ground in order to legalize their status.

List of documents

The papers shall be translated into Japanese and certified with a notary's seal.

List of documents:

• an application for a Certificate of Eligibility;
• the first page of the passport;
• questionnaire; 
• 5 photos together;
• 10 screenshots of personal correspondence;
• a copy of the family register;
• marriage certificate; 
• certificate from the place of residence;
• tax reports of the spouse;
• certificate of employment. 

Family reunion

Japan offers different types of family visas depending on kinship. In addition to the spouse, Japan issues visas for children and for parents. For a short-term visit, some visitors receive a special type of visa based on an invitation of a Japanese resident for a certain period.

There is a dependent(s) visa for family reunification. It is intended for the closest relatives of the main applicant. It is issued for a period of 6 months to 3 years, if necessary, on the basis of an updated package of documents confirming the status of the applicant. Based on it, people can also receive a work permit.

List of documents

• passport; 
• 2 copies of the questionnaire;
• documents to confirm kinship;
• itinerary; 
• certificate of residency;
• statement of income or deposit amount;
• a certificate from the place of residence of all family members;
• documents on request, depending on nationality.

Residency permit for work

Japan offers 3 types of work visas:

1. The standard one is issued to foreign citizens of different professions for a period of 3-5 months.
2. Type 1-SSV1 visa is issued only to highly qualified specialists and their families. By default, it implies the ability to work for and run a business. It is issued for 4-12 months with the right to extend it up to 5 years. For the status of Highly skilled foreign professional, the applicant needs to score 70 points.
3. The second classification 2-SSV2 visa is intended for narrowly focused experts and families. Tokutei gino visa is issued for any period with the possibility of permanent prolongation. Candidates must have basic language skills at JLPT level N4/ N5.

List of documents

For the Immigration Service of Japan, you need to prepare:

• a certificate of conformity (CoE) issued by the sponsoring employer;
• application of the unified form;
• photo 4x3 cm;
• invitation letter; 
• list of visa applicants;
• confirmation of qualifications and experience;
• a detailed itinerary through Japan; 
• company registration document.

Residency permit for businessmen and individual entrepreneurs

There are no special programs for foreign investors in the country. Business people are issued visas at Japanese diplomatic missions for up to 3 months, allowing them to engage only in commercial activities. It is not possible to obtain a long-term residence permit based on it. Businessmen change their status on the spot and receive work permits. Many open startups and based on them they apply for a Business Manager Visa for 1-5 years.

This is important

Immigrants must have at least 3 years of managerial experience, start a business or register a branch of an existing company. The applicants are obliged to develop a project, invest ~$32,000, open an office on the territory, hire 2 residents.

A special type of permit is open for business managers, narrow specialists, managers. To support foreign investors, the Foreign Trade Agency has been established in the country, providing comprehensive support.

List of documents

• copy of the passport;
• certificate of title; 
• payment receipt;
• financial reporting; 
• business license.

Extension of residence permit

Residence statuses, with the exception of permanent residence, are limited in time. A month before the end of the date, immigrants apply with updated packages of documents to the nearest immigration office. After submitting, the deadline is automatically extended for 2 months, starting from the date of registration of the application. The number of applications is not regulated by law, with the exception of visas for internships and cultural activities. If the request is rejected, a temporary status is issued to prepare for the move.

The average price to open a visa:

• expenses for the services of a visa company (50-80€);
• urgent registration 3-5 days before departure – ¥4,000 – ¥10,000;
• submitting and state duty – ¥4,000;
• COE certificate – ¥2,000

Documents are processed at the consulate for 1-2 months. If any questions arise, the inspector conducts an additional check, and asks the applicant to undergo an interview to find out the purpose of stay.