How to Move to Japan: 5 Visa Pathways for Work, Study, Family and More

In short: To live in Japan long-term, you need a status of residence that matches what you will do in Japan. The Temporary Visitor status used for tourism is not a status for living in Japan. The 5 main ways to move to Japan are to work, study, live with family, run a business, or stay for a limited time through a working holiday or as a digital nomad. Start by using the table below to find the way closest to your situation.

You cannot live in Japan as a tourist

In principle, a foreign national who wants to stay in Japan for a long time needs a status of residence that matches what they will do in Japan or their personal status. Japan has about 30 statuses of residence.

The Temporary Visitor status, used for tourism and short business trips, is not a status for living in Japan long-term. In principle, you also cannot do paid work with it.

Way 1: Work for a company in Japan

This means getting a job at a company in Japan and living here as an employee. There are 3 main statuses of residence:

• Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services (技術・人文知識・国際業務): For jobs that use the specialist knowledge you gained at university or similar, or a certain amount of work experience — for example engineering, interpreting and translation, or international business. Immigration also checks whether the job matches your education or work history, so this status does not cover every kind of job.
• Specified Skilled Worker (特定技能): For work in fields with labor shortages, such as nursing care, food service, and construction. In principle, you need to pass a skills test for the job and a Japanese language test.
• Highly Skilled Professional (高度専門職): Your education, work history, income, and other factors are scored with a points system. People above a certain score receive preferential treatment.

For all of these, you will usually need a job offer from a company in Japan first.

Way 2: Study at a school in Japan

This means enrolling in a Japanese language school, vocational school, university, or similar, and living in Japan as a student. The status of residence is Student (留学).

To work part-time, you need Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted (資格外活動許可). In principle, you can work up to 28 hours a week, and up to 8 hours a day during your school's long vacations, such as summer break. Even with this permission, you cannot work at adult entertainment businesses (風俗営業等).

Many students change to a work status of residence after graduating and finding a job in Japan.

Way 3: Live with your family

Some statuses of residence let you live in Japan because of your family:

• Spouse or Child of Japanese National (日本人の配偶者等): For people married to a Japanese national, children of Japanese nationals, and others
• Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident (永住者の配偶者等): For people married to a permanent resident of Japan, and others
• Dependent (家族滞在): For the spouse or children supported by someone who lives in Japan to work or study

Only people with certain statuses of residence can bring family members under the Dependent status. For example, Specified Skilled Worker (i) is not included. If you are married, you also need to show with documents that you actually live together as a married couple.

Way 4: Run a business in Japan

If you want to set up or run a company in Japan, the status of residence is Business Manager (経営・管理).

The criteria became stricter on October 16, 2025. In principle, you now need capital or similar assets of ¥30 million or more, and you must also meet several other conditions, such as hiring a full-time employee, Japanese language ability, and management experience or a relevant degree. This is not a status you can get just by setting up a company, so it is important to plan early.

Way 5: Working holiday and digital nomad

• Working Holiday: Young people from countries and regions that have an agreement with Japan can stay in Japan mainly to enjoy a holiday. You can work to supplement your travel funds. As of April 1, 2026, 32 countries and regions are covered. The age limit is 18 to 30 in principle, but the conditions differ by nationality. For Australia, Canada, South Korea, and Ireland, the limit is 25 in principle, and it may be extended to 30 under certain conditions.
• Digital Nomad: People who keep working remotely for a company abroad can stay in Japan for up to 6 months. There are conditions, such as an annual income of ¥10 million or more and medical insurance. The stay cannot be extended, and no residence card is issued.

Neither of these is designed for getting a job in Japan or living here permanently.

How to keep living in Japan: extensions and permanent residency

Every status of residence has a period of stay. To keep living in Japan, you apply for an Extension of Period of Stay before your current period expires.

If you want to live in Japan for the long term, you can aim for Permanent Resident (永住者) status. In principle, you need to have lived in Japan continuously for 10 years or more, including at least 5 years with a work status of residence or similar. Besides the number of years, immigration also checks things like whether you have properly paid your taxes, pension, and health insurance, and whether your livelihood is stable.

For some people, the required number of years is shorter. For example, the spouse of a Japanese national may qualify if their actual married life has continued for 3 years or more and they have lived in Japan continuously for 1 year or more.

How to come to Japan for a job: the usual steps

The application process differs by status of residence. Here are the usual steps for someone abroad who is joining a company in Japan:

1. The company or another party in Japan applies for a Certificate of Eligibility (在留資格認定証明書).
2. Once it is issued, you apply for a visa at the Japanese embassy or consulate in your country.
3. You enter Japan and receive your Residence Card (在留カード) at the airport or a similar place.

The standard processing period for a Certificate of Eligibility is about 1 to 3 months.

Not sure which way fits you?

Even if you want to live in Japan, the types and conditions of statuses of residence are complicated, and it can be hard to tell which way is open to you. What matters most is choosing the status of residence that fits your situation from the start. HARUKA LEGAL SUPPORT reviews each person's situation and helps you choose a status of residence and prepare your documents for life in Japan — all by email or chat. For our fees, see Our Fees.

References

• List of Status of Residence — Immigration Services Agency of Japan
• Dependent — Immigration Services Agency of Japan
• Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted — Immigration Services Agency of Japan
• Amendments to the landing criteria for Business Manager — Immigration Services Agency of Japan
• Working Holiday Programmes in Japan — Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
• Designated Activities (Digital Nomad) — Immigration Services Agency of Japan
• Guidelines for Permanent Residence (revised February 24, 2026) — Immigration Services Agency of Japan
• Application for Certificate of Eligibility — Immigration Services Agency of Japan