To immigrate to Japan from Australia, individuals need to obtain the appropriate visa depending on their purpose for moving, such as a work visa for employment, a student visa for studying, or a spouse or dependent visa for family reunification. This process involves fulfilling specific requirements, such as securing a job offer, enrolling in a Japanese educational institution, or proving familial ties to Japanese citizens or residents. It is also required to obtain a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) before applying for a visa. Our immigration lawyers in Japan provide full assistance if you are planning to move to Japan from Australia.
Table of Contents
Types of visas in Japan
In order to move to Japan from Australia, you need to obtain the appropriate visa type, according to your purpose. For short-term visits to Japan, Australian citizens can enter the country without a visa for tourism or certain business activities. This allows for stays of up to 90 days within 180 days. As presented by our immigration specialists in Japan, the main types of long-term visas are:
- Work visa;
- Highly skilled professional visa (for individuals with exceptional skills and qualifications);
- General visa (for students, trainees, family dependents, cultural activities);
- Specified visa (generally for family reunification and specific employment activities);
- Start-up visa;
- Diplomatic visa;
- Official visa (administrative diplomatic businesses).
The duration of the long-term visa is between 6 months and five years, depending on why you wish to immigrate to Japan from Australia. Please note that the long-term visa does not grant permanent Japanese residency.
Visa application process
Before applying for a visa, citizens who wish to move to Japan from Australia must meet the following requirements:
- Have a valid passport and copy of the passport page;
- Have the Certificate of Eligibility (COE);
- Have no criminal record, previous immigration violations, or be considered a threat to public order or national security.
The COE is a document issued by the Japanese Immigration Agency. It verifies that you meet the criteria required for a specific visa category before applying. To apply for a COE, you need a sponsor (spouse, employer, or another authorized entity) who will submit the necessary documentation and information to the nearest Regional Immigration Bureau in Japan. The COE is an important document needed to relocate to Japan from Australia.
If you do not have a sponsor available in Japan, you can appoint a relative or legal representative to apply for the COE on your behalf. Our immigration lawyers in Japan can help you in this case.
Applicants must submit the visa application form to their nearest Japanese Embassy and pay the visa issuance fee. The visa processing time is approximately one week.
We can submit the visa on your behalf if you are planning to immigrate to Japan from Australia.
Statistics about immigration in Japan
If you plan to relocate to Japan from Australia, our team has gathered some interesting statistics from the OECD Library regarding the immigration trends in the country from 2021 to 2023:
- Japan received 67,000 new immigrants on a long-term or permanent basis in 2021;
- These immigrants were predominantly from Vietnam, China, and the United States;
- 3,800 first-time asylum applications were registered in 2022;
- By April 2023, 2,402 Ukrainian immigrants were registered in Japan.
Aside from our immigration services, we can also assist in company formation in Japan.
Please contact our team if you are looking to move to Japan from Australia, need assistance obtaining your visa, or require any additional details.