How to Move to Japan

Japan Visa Options

Japan offers several work visa categories, each tied to specific professional activities. The most common route for skilled workers is the Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services visa, which covers IT, engineering, translation, marketing, and education roles. For high earners and researchers, the Highly Skilled Professional (HSP) visa uses a points-based system that can fast-track permanent residence to as little as one year. Japan also launched a Digital Nomad visa in March 2024 for remote workers earning above ¥10,000,000 per year, though it is capped at six months with no path to PR.

• HSP visa holders with 80+ points can apply for permanent residence after just 1 year
• Engineer/Specialist visa covers most white-collar professional roles
• Business Manager visa requires ¥5,000,000 capital investment or 2+ employees
• Working Holiday visa available for ages 18-30 from 26 partner countries
• Digital Nomad visa launched in 2024 for remote workers (6 months, non-renewable)
• Specified Skilled Worker visa targets labor shortages in 14 industry sectors

Cost of Living in Japan

Japan is more affordable than most expats expect, especially outside Tokyo. A single person in Tokyo can live comfortably on ¥250,000-¥350,000 per month (roughly €1,550-€2,170), including rent for a 1LDK apartment. Osaka and Fukuoka run 20-30% cheaper. The median salary sits at about ¥4,500,000 per year (roughly €28,000), which is modest by Western European standards but stretches further due to lower rent, affordable public transit, and inexpensive food options. Healthcare costs through the national system are low, and groceries are reasonable if you shop at local supermarkets rather than import stores. Housing deposits can be high, with key money (reikin) and deposits (shikikin) often totaling 2-4 months of rent upfront.

Language Requirements for Japan

No Japanese proficiency is formally required for most work visas, including the HSP and Engineer/Specialist categories. In practice, JLPT N2 or higher dramatically improves your job prospects, and most professional roles outside of English-teaching or international tech companies expect N1 fluency. The JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test) runs twice per year, in July and December, and results take about two months. For the HSP visa, Japanese ability earns bonus points on the scoring system but is not mandatory. Naturalization requires demonstrating Japanese proficiency in an interview, roughly equivalent to JLPT N2-N3, but there is no standardized test requirement.

Credential Recognition in Japan

Foreign academic credentials are evaluated by NIAD-QE (National Institution for Academic Degrees and Quality Enhancement). For the Engineer/Specialist visa, you need either a university degree relevant to your job or 10 or more years of professional experience in the field. Japan does not have a blanket mutual recognition agreement with most countries, so each application is assessed individually. Regulated professions such as medicine, law, and architecture require separate Japanese licensing exams. The credential review itself typically takes 4-6 weeks and should be started before your visa application.

Japan Visa Application Process

Most work visas follow a two-step process. First, your employer or sponsor applies for a Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) with the Immigration Services Agency in Japan. This takes 4-8 weeks. Once the CoE is issued, you take it to a Japanese embassy or consulate in your home country to apply for the actual visa, which usually takes about one additional week. The HSP visa is processed slightly faster because it uses a standardized points calculation. Business Manager visas take longer, typically 12 weeks, because immigration reviews the business plan, office lease, and capitalization. Keep all documents ready in both English and Japanese translations, certified by a sworn translator.

Path to Permanent Residence in Japan

The standard path to permanent residence requires 10 years of continuous residence, with at least 5 years on a work visa. The HSP fast-track changes this dramatically: 80 or more points on the HSP scale qualifies you after just 1 year, and 70 or more points after 3 years. Points are awarded for age (under 30 gets maximum), salary, academic background, Japanese ability, and professional achievements. PR applicants must demonstrate stable income, tax compliance, pension contributions, and good conduct. Citizenship (naturalization) requires 5 years of continuous residence, but Japan does not allow dual citizenship. You must renounce all other nationalities before naturalization is granted.

Your First Days in Japan

Upon arrival at a major airport, you receive your Residence Card (Zairyu Card) immediately at immigration. Within 14 days, register your address at your local ward office (kuyakusho). This registration triggers your eligibility for National Health Insurance and a My Number card. Opening a bank account is one of the trickiest early tasks. Most banks require you to have lived in Japan for at least six months or have an employer sponsor the application. Japan Post Bank and Shinsei Bank are the most accessible options for newcomers. Expect to spend the first month handling paperwork: ward registration, health insurance enrollment, My Number application, phone contract, and internet setup. A personal seal (hanko) is still required for many official documents, though the government is gradually moving toward digital signatures.

Bringing Family to Japan

Dependent visas are available for spouses and children of work visa holders. The application process is straightforward and processed alongside the primary applicant's CoE. Dependent visa holders can work up to 28 hours per week with a separate work permission. International schools are available in major cities but expensive, typically ¥2,000,000-¥3,000,000 per year. Japanese public schools are free and accept foreign children, but instruction is entirely in Japanese. Childcare can be difficult to secure in urban areas due to waitlists (the "taikijido" problem), though the government has expanded capacity significantly since 2020.

Healthcare in Japan

Japan has universal healthcare through two systems: Employee Health Insurance (Shakai Hoken) for company employees, and National Health Insurance (Kokumin Kenko Hoken) for self-employed residents and those not covered by employer plans. Both cover 70% of costs, leaving a 30% copay for the patient. Monthly premiums are income-based. The quality of care is high, and Japan has among the highest life expectancy in the world. The main challenge for foreigners is language, as many doctors and hospitals outside major cities operate only in Japanese. English-speaking clinics exist in Tokyo, Osaka, and other large cities, but often charge higher fees.

Taxes in Japan

Japan taxes residents on worldwide income after establishing tax residency (generally after 5 years of residence, or immediately if you intend to stay permanently). For the first 5 years, non-permanent residents are only taxed on Japan-sourced income and foreign income remitted to Japan. Income tax is progressive, ranging from 5% to 45%, plus a 10% local inhabitant tax on top. Social insurance contributions (pension, health, employment) add roughly 15% for employees. Japan has tax treaties with over 70 countries to prevent double taxation. Filing is annual, due by March 15, and most salaried employees have taxes handled through employer year-end adjustment (nenmatsu chosei).