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Located in the northwest Pacific Ocean, Japan is the beautiful gem of East Asia. With a strong economy, rapid development, rich history and culture, and cherry blossoms on every corner, Japan will give you a unique and unforgettable experience.
Becoming a resident of Japan comes with many great benefits such as high-quality life standards, a safe and clean environment, and one of the best healthcare systems in the world. The county is also constantly ranked high in many life fields and considered the second-largest developed economy in the world, making it one of the most preferred destinations for expats from all over the world.
Do I Need to Obtain a Visa to Move to Japan?
Whether you need a visa depends on your purpose of travel and your country of origin. For example, if you are traveling to Japan as a tourist or for business purposes, and your stay will not last longer than three months, you will probably not need a visa. However, this depends on where you come from.
But, if you want to move to Japan permanently, you will need to apply for a long-term stay visa at the Japanese diplomatic missions (embassy/consulate) in your home country to enter Japan. Once you get the status of a permanent resident in Japan, it will be indefinite.
Do US Citizens Need a Visa to Move to Japan?
If you are a citizen of the US, you can go to Japan without a visa for stays that do not exceed 90 days. However, if you plan on staying for a longer period of time, you will need to apply for a long-stay visa at the Japanese Embassy or Consulate in the US before traveling to Japan.
How Can I Move to Japan?
Expats that want to make Japan their home for the long term can move there for different reasons. However, first, you need to apply for a type of long-stay visa.
The Japanese long-term stay visas are divided into several categories. As such, you can get a long-stay visa for work, study, or family reunification. However, before applying for any type of long-stay visa, if you plan on staying in Japan for the long term, you need to obtain a Certificate of Eligibility.
Once you enter the country with a visa, you will receive a Landing Permit at the port of entry, which will replace your visa and allow you to stay legally in Japan.
Moving to Japan for Work
If you want to move to Japan to take up paid employment, you need to get a work visa first. Japan issues three types of work visas that you can apply for:
- The regular Japan Work Visa.
- Japan Highly Skilled Professional Visa.
- Japan Working Holiday Visa.
If you want to stay for a longer period of time in Japan, you need to get the proper work visa. Before applying for a Work Visa, your employer needs to obtain a Certificate of Eligibility from the Immigration Services in Japan. Once you get your Certificate of Eligibility, you can continue to apply for a work visa at the Japanese diplomatic missions (embassy/consulate) in your home country.
You can enter the country after receiving your work visa, and you can also be allowed to bring your family members with you to Japan.
Moving to Japan for Family Reunification
If you have a family member who is a Japanese citizen living in Japan, you can join them through a Japan family visa. To be eligible for a family visa, you need to:
- Be married to a Japanese national.
- Be the dependent child of a Japanese national.
- Be the spouse or dependent child of a foreigner residing in Japan.
Your spouse or family member in Japan is responsible for submitting your application for a Certificate of Eligibility, so you can begin the application for a spouse visa. Applications for a spouse visa are submitted to the Japanese diplomatic missions (embassy/consulate) in your country.
This type of visa can be issued for up to 3 years and can be extended. With a family visa, you can work if you are married to a Japanese citizen or a permanent resident of Japan.
Moving to Japan to Study
If you are enrolled in a Japanese educational institution, you need a student visa to stay in the country for a longer period of time. You can apply for a student visa at the nearest Japanese Embassy or Consulate in your home country. However, your school needs to send you the Certificate of Eligibility so you can continue with your student visa application.
A student visa is issued for different durations and up to 2 years. You can always apply to extend your stay three months prior to your visa expiration date.
With a student visa, you will not be allowed to work more than 18 hours per week.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Moving to Japan?
Here are the pros and cons of moving to Japan:
| Pros | Cons |
| Healthcare— Japan has one of the best healthcare systems in the world. You can get medical treatment in both public and private hospitals and clinics. The country offers almost free healthcare to all its citizens, covering 70% of medical costs, and citizens cover only 30%. | Living costs— life in Japan is expensive. The estimated monthly costs for a single person living in Japan are around 850, not including rent. You will spend the most on grocery shopping, as it tends to be more expensive due to Japanese law that states that all farmland must be worked directly by whoever owns it. |
| Life quality— Japan ranks high when it comes to life quality. The country offers a safe and orderly life to its citizen and legal residents. Japan is generally very clean and neat and has great air quality. | Strict social code— Japan has a unique culture with a strict code of etiquette that one must follow.If you decide to move to Japan, you must learn to understand the social hierarchy and respect their customs. |
| Education— Japan has an education system that gets praised internationally. The education system focuses on teaching students how to problem-solve, emphasizing critical thinking. | Language— although English is a commonly used language in big cities in Japan, less than 30% of Japanese speak it.Learning Japanese will help you professionally and personally in your daily life. |
| Job opportunities— working in Japan is a unique experience. Japan has an extensive job market, which means that there are a lot of job opportunities for everyone. Japan offers high salaries, excellent facilities, and a great work environment. Japanese employers offer many benefits for workers, such as health insurance, paid leaves, etc. | |
| Public transportation— Japan is famous for its fast train network and has an efficient transportation system that will easily get you around the country. | |
| Cleanliness— with a reputation as one of the cleanest countries in the world, you will be amazed walking around Japan. Citizens of Japan keep their environment clean and neat, as cleanliness has been a big part of Japanese culture. | |
| Urbanization— Japan has increased the level of urbanization in recent years, with less than 10% of its population living in a rural setting. | |
| Safety— Japan is the 10th safest country in the world. With a low crime rate, Japan makes a perfectly safe place to live, work or just visit. |
How Can I Become a Permanent Resident of Japan?
To become a permanent resident of Japan, you must reside in the country for at least 5 consecutive years. However, the required time may change depending on the residency status you have held.
For example, if you are married to a Japanese citizen, the required time is one year, or if you are the holder of a highly skilled professional visa, you can take permanent residency after one to three years, etc.
Does Japan Allow Dual Citizenship?
Japan does not allow its citizens to hold dual citizenship. Therefore you cannot hold citizenship of another country and become a citizen of Japan at the same time. In such cases, you need to choose which citizenship you want to renounce and which one you want to hold.
Japanese citizenship can be acquired in three ways:
- By birth.
- Notification.
- Naturalization.
Can I Bring My Household Items to Japan?
You can bring your household goods to Japan by sea or air freight through a procedure called “customs clearance for traveler’s baggage”. You must declare the items to the Director-General of Customs and obtain an import permit.
The documents below must be submitted with the import declaration (permit):
- Invoice.
- Bill of lading or Air Waybill.
- The certificate of origin (where a WTO rate is applicable).
- Generalized system of preferences and certificates of origin (Form A).
- Packing lists, freight accounts, insurance certificates, etc., (if applicable).
- Licenses, certificates, etc., required by laws and regulations other than the Customs Law.
- Detailed statement on reductions of, or exemption from, customs duty and excise tax.
- Customs duty payment slips.
If you are moving to Japan permanently, you can import your household goods free of customs duty if you import them within 6 months of your entry to Japan. If you have any unaccompanied items, you need to submit two copies of the Declaration of Accompanied Articles and Unaccompanied Articles to customs at the time of entry.
The items listed below are not allowed to enter the borders of Japan:
- Narcotics (heroin, cocaine, opium, MDMA, etc.).
- Firearms (pistols, bullets, firearm parts, etc.).
- Explosives (dynamite, gunpowder, etc.).
- Books, drawings, carvings, or other items that may harm public safety or morals.
- Counterfeit, altered, or imitation coins, paper money, bank notes, securities, and forged credit cards.
Can I Move to Japan With Pets?
Yes, you can bring your pets to Japan, however, your pets must undergo import quarantine inspection. If your pets meet the import requirements when they arrive in Japan, the quarantine period will be 12 hours. The import procedures vary depending on the country of origin the pets are coming from.
Pets imported from Iceland, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji Islands, Hawai, and Guam, must meet the following import requirements:
- Pets must be identified by a microchip in compliance with ISO 11784 and 11785.
- Pets must meet the residency requirements.
- The owner must notify the Animal Quarantine Service at least 40 days prior to their arrival in Japan.
- Pets must undergo a clinical inspection by a veterinarian before their arrival.
- The owner must obtain a certificate issued by the government agency of the country of origin.
- Pets must be transported by direct flight or ship from their home country to Japan.
Pets imported from other countries must meet the following import requirements:
- Pets must be identified by a microchip before their first rabies vaccination.
- Pets must be vaccinated against rabies twice or more after the microchip implant.
- Pets must undergo a rabies antibody test.
- Pets must arrive in Japan 180 days from the date of the rabies antibody test.
- The owner must notify the Animal Quarantine Service at least 40 days prior to their arrival in Japan.
- Pets must undergo a clinical inspection by a veterinarian before their arrival.
- The owner must obtain a certificate issued by the government agency of the country of origin.
Most Popular Areas in Japan for Expats
Japan has cities that are perfect for singles, couples, and families, and digital nomads— here are some of the most popular places for expats to move to in Japan:
- Tokyo.
- Kyoto.
- Yokohama.
- Osaka.
- Sapporo.
Tokyo
The Tokyo Metropolis is the most populated city in Japan and a fantastic place to live for expats of all ages. In Tokyo, you will experience a mix of ultramodern and traditional cultures. Tokyo is a great place for individuals who are looking to work in Japan, as it has a good job market with many job opportunities.
The city is famous for its business centers, beautiful neon-lit skyscrapers, massive shopping areas, and breathtaking gardens. However, Tokyo can be expensive, but life in big populated cities comes with a high cost. The monthly costs for a person living in Tokyo reach around €1000 without including rent.
Kyoto
If you are looking to move somewhere away from the hustle and bustle of big cities with active nightlife, Kyoto is a great place for that. The city is home to Buddhist Shinto temples, palaces, beautiful gardens, shrines, and delicious restaurants. All this has increased the number of tourists visiting Kyoto every year. The city provides a good living environment and easy access to beautiful parts of Japan, such as Nara, Osaka, and Lake Biwa. Kyoto is also an extremely safe city to live in and visit, with a low crime rate and very friendly and welcoming people.
When it comes to living costs, Kyoto is more affordable than living in big cities such as Tokyo. For example, you would need around €5000 to maintain the same living standard you can have in Kyoto with €3000.
Yokohama
Moving to the south of Tokyo, you will find the beautiful city of Yokohama. With a population of around 4 million people, Yokohama is ranked 2nd most populous municipality in Japan. In Yokohama, you will enjoy the humid subtropical climate with hot summers and chilly winters. There are many great things to see and do in Yokohama, from beautiful parks and traditional Japanese gardens to museums and great choices for shopping and eating.
One of the best things about moving to Yokohama is the healthcare system and the work-life balance. Yokohama is also a favorite destination for retired expats who move to Japan to enjoy their retirement days in a calm and quiet environment.
Osaka
Osaka belongs to the group of expensive destinations, therefore, anyone considering moving there must plan their budget carefully. Although the cost of living is higher in cities like Tokyo, Osaka is still considered expensive.
Osaka is a port city ranked high in housing, business freedom, and healthcare. The city is a great place to live and work, and famous for its delicious cuisine. In Osaka, you will have a quieter and safer life than in most other cities.
Sapporo
The capital of Hokkaido, Sapporo, is a great place for expats that love living in a mountainous city, beer, and skiing. Sapporo is also one of Japan’s most popular tourist destinations, famous for its exquisite cuisine, beautiful nature, many shopping centers, and vibrant nightlife.
Life in Sapporo is cheaper than in most big cities such as Tokyo, with an average monthly cost of around €1000. The city is also very safe and foreigner-friendly, and a great place for work and business. If you choose to move to Sapporo, you will enjoy a life in clean air, warm weather and an efficient healthcare system.
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