Individuals interested in moving to Japan from UK can seek assistance from our immigration lawyers in Japan. We can help you through this process, including determining the appropriate visa type, gathering the required documents, and applying at the Japanese embassy.
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Visas for moving to Japan from UK
The good news is that if you are moving to Japan from UK for less than 6 months, you do not need to obtain a visa in advance. The purpose for this visa must be:
- Tourism;
- Business (without engaging in paid activities);
- Attending conferences;
- Studying.
However, if you hold a Certificate of Eligibility (COE), which is a document often required for work or long-term stays, you will need to apply for a visa even for short stays. You can obtain COE from a Japanese employer confirming a job offer. Once you possess this visa, you must travel to Japan within a three-month window. We can help you with additional work permits as well.
Please note that if you have certain types of British passports, you may not be considered the same as “British Citizens” for visa purposes when entering Japan. For more information about this process and exceptions, you can contact our specialists in immigration to Japan.
If you are aged between 18 and 30, you have the opportunity to apply for a working holiday visa in Japan. This initiative, established in 2001, permits visa holders to immigrate from UK to Japan for up to one year, during which they can engage in either part-time or full-time employment. The allocation of spots for this program is limited to 1,000 British citizens annually, so we recommend reaching out to our immigration lawyers in Japan as soon as possible to secure your spot.
We can assist in moving to Japan from other countries as well, like the USA for example.
Permanent residency in Japan
If you want to immigrate to Japan from UK permanently, after spending ten consecutive years living and working in Japan, you become eligible to apply for a Permanent Resident visa.
By accumulating points within this system, another way to obtain permanent Japanese residency is with the Highly Skilled Professional visa. With 70 points, you can apply after 3 years, and with over 80 points, you can apply after 1 year. Even if you’re not currently on the Highly Skilled Professional visa, you can apply for permanent residency under the points-based system by proving past eligibility and maintaining eligibility at the time of application.
Another way to relocate to Japan from the UK is to marry a Japanese national for three continuous years or longer and live with them for more than 12 consecutive months in Japan.
Why choose Japan
Immigrating to Japan from UK is a great opportunity to immerse yourself in a new way of life, explore diverse landscapes, and engage with a rich history while embracing a different society and its advancements. It is also an excellent way to start a new career, work in the country, and invest and open a company in Japan.
Here are some interesting facts about Japan that would be of interest to those who wish to immigrate there:
- In the year 2021, Japan recorded around 2.76 million foreign nationals residing in the country, constituting roughly 2.2 percent of the total population;
- Based on data provided by Japan’s Ministry of Justice Immigration Bureau in December 2022, there were 18,959 individuals from the United Kingdom categorized as permanent or long-term residents in Japan;
- The net migration in Japan surpassed 87,000 individuals in the year 2021.
Please contact our immigration lawyers in Japan for more details and procedures regarding moving to Japan from UK.