Individuals can immigrate to Japan on a long stay visa by following the mandatory conditions and procedures. Obtaining a long stay visa in Japan is required for working, studying, engaging in cultural activities, or reuniting with family members. Additionally, this visa is also required if you are interested in opening a company in Japan as a foreigner. Our team will help in applying for the appropriate visa based on your specific needs.
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Which types of long stay visas are available in Japan?
Before obtaining a long stay visa in Japan, you must research the available visa types that align with your purpose or qualification. Our immigration lawyers in Japan will briefly describe the most common types of long stay visas:
- Working visa – for various professions such as professors, teachers, entertainers, photographers, artists, physicians, dentists, IT engineers, attorneys, etc;
- General visa – for studying, cultural activities, training, and dependents;
- Specified visa – for those with Japanese ancestry or individuals engaging in designated activities (such as for a paid internship);
- Diplomatic visa – for diplomatic missions in Japan;
- Start-up visa – ideal for those wishing to open a company in Japan;
- Official visa – for the administrative or technical staff of diplomatic missions;
- Highly skilled professional visa – granted to those considered highly experienced in certain work fields and to their dependents.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Long stay visa types |
– working visa; – highly skilled professional visa; – general visa; – specified visa; – start-up visa. |
|
Long stay visa validity |
1 year, 3 years, 5 years – depending on the visa type |
|
Exempted foreign nationals |
Only for short-term stays (up to 90 days and not including remunerated activities) in the case of 71 countries and regions. |
| When to apply for the long stay visa for Japan | Before you arrive in Japan |
| Where is the visa application submitted |
With the Japanese Embassy or Consulate in the applicant’s country of origin. |
| Time needed to obtain the long stay visa (approx.) |
5 working days |
| Application documents |
Visa application form, passport, Certificate of Eligibility, visa-specific documents, photograph, other documents according to nationality (for example, in the case of Russian nationals). |
| Application fees |
3,000 yen for a single-entry visa |
| Dependents can join the holder of the long stay visa in Japan |
Subject to a separate application |
| Special conditions for the long stay visa for investing in Japan | Must comply with the conditions for investment set forth by the Ministry of Economy; the investment must be supported by a Japanese municipality. |
| Minimum long stay before applying for permanent residence |
10 years. Conditions apply and a shorter period is possible for certain categories of applicants. |
| Documents for obtaining permanent residence in Japan |
Proof of lawful minimum stay, proof of regular and lawful income, proof of adequate tax payments, support by a guarantor (our team can explain), as well as other conditions. |
| Citizenship after permanent residence |
Possible when meeting the conditions for naturalization. |
| Naturalization requirements |
Have one’s domicile in Japan for five consecutive years or more, be at least 20 years of age, have adequate income, have good conduct. |
| Dual citizenship permitted (Yes/No) | No |
Please note that some professions (lawyers, accountants, dentists, nurses, etc.) need certifications or qualifications recognized by Japanese authorities. Additionally, the start-up visa is available only for companies incorporated in certain Japanese municipalities.
Each long stay visa in Japan has its own requirements and eligibility criteria. Our immigration specialists can guide you through the application process accordingly.
How to apply for a long stay visa in Japan
After researching the type of long stay visa in Japan that best fits your traveling purpose, the next step is obtaining the Certificate of Eligibility (COE). This certificate is issued under the Immigration Services Agency of Japan and proves that you meet the conditions required for entry. To obtain the COE, you must have a contact in Japan who can apply on your behalf (your employer, school, spouse, a Japanese relative or sponsor, legal representative, etc.).
Obtaining the long stay visa in Japan also requires you to gather all the specific documents based on the type of visa you are applying for. Generally, these documents include your passport, photographs, the visa application form, and the COE.
The duration of the long stay visa also depends on the visa category. Some visas are issued for up to 5 years, while some are issued for 6 months. The visa application examination takes approximately 5 working days but can extend in some cases.
After ten years of continuously living in the country, you can apply for permanent residency in Japan. However, there are some exceptions. Our immigration lawyers in Japan can offer more details on this subject.
We invite you to watch a short video about this type of visa:
Statistics about immigration in Japan
In the context of obtaining a long stay visa in Japan, our team has gathered some interesting statistics about the immigration trends in the country:
- In 2022, there were around 3.1 million immigrants living in Japan;
- Almost 597,000 immigrants were living in Tokyo Prefecture in 2022;
- As of October 2023, approximately two million immigrants were employed in Japan;
- Approximately 518,000 of these workers were from Vietnam.
If you need assistance with obtaining a long stay visa or in any immigration-related issue, do not hesitate to contact our team for more details.