How to immigrate to Japan 🇯🇵

Note: The following article is for educational purposes only and not intended as professional advice. It is important to conduct your own research and consider consulting a Japanese immigration lawyer, as rules and regulations may change over time.

Dreaming of experiencing the rich culture, breathtaking landscapes, and modern marvels of Japan? Maybe just the ability to live in a walkable neighborhood of a big city with reasonable housing costs and a robust public transit system? Well, you're in luck! In this guide, we will introduce some of the various pathways available for US citizens to immigrate to Japan. Whether you're interested in exploring the country as a tourist, teaching English through the JET Program, pursuing work opportunities, or even seeking permanent residency, we've got you covered. Let's dive into the incredible possibilities that await you in the Land of the Rising Sun!

Tourism:

For US citizens, Japan offers the convenience of visa-free travel as a tourist for up to 90 days. This allows you ample time to immerse yourself in the vibrant cities, visit historical sites, indulge in culinary delights, and experience the unique traditions that make Japan so captivating. However, if you wish to travel for longer, anywhere from 90 days to 6 months total, you can apply for a Long Stay Tourist Visa, with the additional possibility of special extensions up to a total of 12 months.

JET Program (Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme):

Are you a US citizen with a passion for teaching and a desire to embark on an adventure in Japan? The JET Program might be the perfect opportunity for you! This initiative is run by the Japanese government and allows fluent English speakers to teach English as a Second Language to K-12 students across Japan. As a paid public employee, you'll be assigned to any one of Japan’s 47 prefectures to a specific Japanese board of education, with accommodations provided at a reduced cost. The Japanese government even covers your round-trip airfare for your initial arrival and final departure, so long as you complete your contract. The program duration starts at one year but can be extended up to a maximum of 5 years, although some boards of education only allow a maximum of 3 years.

To be eligible for the JET Program, you need to be a non-Japanese citizen with a bachelor's degree or greater education. Fluency in English is essential, however no Japanese language ability is required. Naturally, a genuine interest in Japan and cultural exchange is highly valued. (Note that if you're applying from the United States, you must be a US citizen.)

The JET program is not the only path to teaching English as a second language in Japan, and private dispatch companies can also find you a teaching position and sponsor you for an instructor visa. I however would not recommend them as they tend to offer less support and lower salaries than the JET program. If you are interested in applying to the JET program, the application process begins once a year every fall. 

Temporary Residency:

If you're seeking temporary residency in Japan for employment purposes, there are several visa categories available. These include the Highly Skilled Professional Visa & Working Visa, each requiring an employer as a sponsor and special approval from the Japanese government. Various professions are covered, such as professors, artists, religious activities, business managers, medical services, skilled labor, and more. This is a difficult category to be approved for unless you have skills that are in demand or have an employer (with a presence in Japan) that is willing to go through the process. In my experience, architects, engineers, software developers and other IT professionals should be able to easily find such an employer in Japan willing to sponsor you for a visa.

General Visa:

Under the General Visa category, you'll find opportunities for cultural activities, student visas, training visas (mainly for individuals engaged in local government programs), and dependent visas for family members staying with a foreign national holding a working visa.

Specified Visas:

There are specific visas for individuals married to Japanese nationals or permanent residents, individuals with Japanese ancestry, those participating in working holiday programs or paid internships, and individuals engaging in special designated activities like future creation.

Start-Up Visa:

Entrepreneurs dreaming of establishing their own businesses in Japan can consider the Start-Up Visa option. To qualify, you need either a minimum of two employees or an initial paid-up capital of at least ¥5 Million JPY (~$35.5K USD). Additionally, you must lease a physical office in Japan and submit an approved business plan along with a Certificate of Eligibility (COE). This category requires special approval from the Japanese government, approval is not guaranteed.

Permanent Residency:

For those looking to make Japan a long-term home, permanent residency is a coveted and difficult to acquire status. The eligibility requirements for permanent residency vary depending on the original visa category. The most common category for foreign nationals to become permanent residents is though being a spouse of a Japanese citizen, or less commonly a spouse of a permanent resident. With a spouse visa you can apply for permanent status after a minimum of one year of residency. While other types of visas can be converted into permanent residency after five to ten years of residency. Do keep in mind though that residency rules are highly varied and subject to change at any time, it is best to speak with a Japanese immigration lawyer.

In addition to the years spent as a resident in Japan, the requirements for permanent residency include displaying good conduct (both legal and social), proving financial stability, paying income tax and other contributions, and having a guarantor who is a Japanese citizen or permanent resident. These requirements aim to foster social harmony and integration between immigrants and Japanese society.

National Insurance and Pension:

It's important to note that all working residents (temporary or permanent) in Japan must register for both the national health insurance and national pension system. This ensures access to essential healthcare and retirement benefits, providing a safety net during your time in Japan. If one does not want to stay in Japan permanently, pension contributions can be refunded after departure from Japan, although the proportion refunded may vary depending on the duration and level of contributions made while working in Japan.

To shed light on the possibilities of immigrating to Japan, I can share my own experience. I’m a US citizen who has successfully made Japan my second home. After graduating from college and working as a social studies teacher for a few years, I applied and was accepted into the JET Program. I first lived and taught in Shizuoka City, immersing myself in the local culture and forming lasting connections with my students. Although on paper my salary was much lower than what I earned teaching in the San Francisco Bay Area, the cost of living was so significantly cheaper in Japan, particularly in both rent and transportation, that I found my quality of life better while still being able to contribute to my savings every month. 

To paint a picture, I was living in a small but comfortable (roughly 400 sq.ft.) studio apartment for only $280 a month, located only 1 minute from a bus stop, 5 minutes from a local train station, and a 20 minute walk from the central train station and downtown Shizuoka City. This also meant I was only 90 minutes from my front door to Tokyo Station if I was willing to fork over the dough to ride the Shinkansen. On top of that, the city board of education paid for my commuting expenses, including a small monthly stipend if I chose to commute on my bike! Now I cannot promise any of that should you come to Japan on the JET Program, but it really impacted my own desire to not return home to the high rents of the Bay Area and my old stressful commute driving in traffic every morning.

Having left the JET program, I now study business Japanese in Tokyo with a student visa, and work part time at a world renowned cocktail bar. Once my Japanese is at an appropriate level for international business, my plan is to eventually find a job at a multinational company that can sponsor me for a working visa, which will enable me to enter a career here in Japan outside of English language education. The journey to emigrating from the United States is of course unique for each individual, with plenty of opportunities for personal and professional growth along the way.

As a US citizen, the dream of living and working in Japan is well within reach. Whether you're captivated by Japanese culture, seeking professional opportunities, or longing for a change of scenery, the pathways to immigration are diverse and enticing. By exploring options such as the JET Program, temporary residency visas, and permanent residency, you can embark on a life-changing adventure. So, pack your bags, brush up on your Japanese, and get ready to embark on an extraordinary journey to Japan!

Tyson Moore is an amateur photographer, mixologist, and world traveler who has successfully made Japan his home.

You can follow Tyson's cocktail photography on instagram @japanhomebartender, his travel photography @oppositecoast, and also find him on Threads where he shares his musing, insights and experiences.