To immigrate to Japan from South Africa, foreigners will need a temporary residence permit. This mandatory document can be issued for employment, study, or investment-related purposes.
Business owners who are interested in their options to open a company in Japan can read this article to gain insight into the relocation process and reach out to our local team to start the immigration steps.
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Types of visas for Japan
Several types of visas grant residence status in Japan. Foreign nationals who are interested in relocating to the country are required to apply for these according to their proven purpose of stay.
The Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act offers the legal and regulatory guidelines for the more than 20 types of residence in Japan. Out of these, our agents specializing in company formation in Japan highlight some important types:
- Employment permits: intended for remunerated work, after the South African citizen has concluded an employment agreement with a Japanese employer/ Visas are also required for personnel relocation (intra-company transfers).
- Investment: intended for South Africans who will come to open a company in Japan or fill in the position of an executive director in a company (subject to different requirements);
- Study: South African students interested in Bachelor’s or master’s degrees, as well as other accredited courses in Japan;
- Others: family reunification can also be a reason to relocate to Japan from South Africa.
General and visa-specific documents are required for each of these types of visas. The general ones include the fully filled-in application form and the applicant’s valid passport, along with information about health insurance and financial means (where required). Gathering these documents is essential for those who will immigrate to Japan from South Africa.
Visa-specific documents depend on the type of permits that is being requested and can include proof of company incorporation in Japan, the student acceptance letter or the employment agreement.
The business manager visa in Japan
A type of visa sought by those who want to immigrate to Japan from South Africa to start a business is the business manager visa.
Some of the most important conditions for this type of visa concern company registration in Japan and the minimum capital that is invested in a business.
A foreign investor who is currently a South African resident or citizen can relocate to Japan to create a new company and apply for a business manager visa at the same time. To lawfully do so, he or she will immigrate to Japan from South Africa and will be staying in Japan working as a business manager.
If you want to move to Japan from South Africa for reasons other than business management such as seeking employment with a Japanese employer, our team can offer details about the other types of visas.
Japanese visa validity
The different types of residence permits have varying periods of stay for their holders. Our team offers some examples below:
- The family reunification visa for a spouse or the child of a Japanese national: 6 months, 1 year, 3 or 5 years;
- The official’s visa for a person who will be involved in official foreign government affairs: 15 days, 30 days, 3 months, 1, 3 or 5 years;
- Employment as a professor: at least 3 months or 1 year, 3 years, or 5 years;
- Employment as a highly skilled professional: 5 years or indefinite in some cases.
For South African nationals interested in starting a company in Japan, the validity of the business manager visa can be 3 months, 4 months, 6 months, 1, 3, or 5 years.
Investors who want to move to Japan from South Africa can reach out to our team for complete company formation services.
If you want to immigrate to Japan and gain Japanese residency, our immigration lawyers in Japan can assist you. Contact us for more information about the services we provide for investors and expats.