Japan
Japan · Capital: Tokyo
Japan combines world-leading safety, infrastructure and quality of life with a shrinking workforce that is pushing the door open to foreign talent. A points-based Highly Skilled Professional route offers a fast track to residence, alongside work and startup visas. Language remains the main hurdle.
Migration statistics
Who is arriving
Top source countries and the make-up of recent arrivals into Japan.
Policy overview
7 visa routes into Japan
Eligibility, fees, processing times and whether each route leads to permanent residence.
HSP
A points-based visa (academic, career, salary, age) granting fast-tracked residence, multiple work activities and a quicker path to permanent residence.
Eligibility
- Score 70+ on the points table
- Qualifying professional/academic/business activity
- Relevant employment or venture
- From 1 October 2026 an in-country change or extension costs JPY 33,000 (1 year) to JPY 75,000 (5 years), up from JPY 6,000
Document checklist (8 items)
Core
Professional
Financial
Background
Engineer/Specialist
The standard skilled work visa for engineers, IT professionals and humanities/international-services roles with a Japanese employer.
Eligibility
- Job offer from a Japanese employer
- Relevant degree or 10 years' experience
- Role matching qualifications
- From 1 October 2026 an in-country change or extension costs JPY 33,000 (1 year) to JPY 75,000 (5 years), up from JPY 6,000
Document checklist (10 items)
Core
Professional
Background
Business Manager Visa
EntrepreneurBusiness Manager
Residence for those running a business in Japan. Much stricter since 16 October 2025: capital AND staff AND experience AND Japanese are all required. Existing holders have until 16 October 2028 to comply.
Eligibility
- JPY 30 million capital and at least 1 full-time employee
- 3 years management experience or a relevant master's degree
- Japanese at B2 (JLPT N2) by the applicant or a full-time employee
- Business plan checked by an accountant, tax accountant or management consultant
- From 1 October 2026 an in-country change or extension costs JPY 33,000 (1 year) to JPY 75,000 (5 years), up from JPY 6,000
Document checklist (13 items)
Core
Professional
Financial
Background
J-Find / J-Skip
SkilledJ-Find/J-Skip
Newer routes: J-Find lets graduates of top universities job-hunt for up to 2 years; J-Skip fast-tracks very high earners and experts.
Eligibility
- Top-university graduate (J-Find), or
- High salary / advanced degree & experience (J-Skip)
- Sufficient funds
- From 1 October 2026 an in-country change or extension costs JPY 33,000 (1 year) to JPY 75,000 (5 years), up from JPY 6,000
Document checklist (9 items)
Core
Professional
Financial
Background
Student Visa
StudentStudent
Study at a Japanese university or language school, with part-time work rights and a designated-activities job-search period after graduation.
Eligibility
- Acceptance from a recognised institution
- Proof of funds
- Certificate of Eligibility
- From 1 October 2026 an in-country extension of 1 to 3 years costs JPY 48,000, up from JPY 6,000
Document checklist (9 items)
Core
Professional
Financial
Background
Spouse / Dependent Visa
FamilyJP-FAM
Join a spouse, partner or close family member who is a citizen or resident.
Eligibility
- Genuine relationship to a citizen/resident
- Sponsor meets income/housing rules
- Relationship evidence
Document checklist (9 items)
Core
Professional
Financial
Background
Digital Nomad Visa
Digital nomadJP-DN
Six-month stay for high-earning remote workers. It cannot be extended or renewed from inside Japan.
Eligibility
- Annual income of at least JPY 10 million
- Foreign employer/clients
- Private health cover
Document checklist (8 items)
Core
Professional
Financial
Background
Economic context
The numbers behind the move
Pay reflects the local market in Japan, what you'd typically earn there, not your current salary.
Skill shortages
Sectors actively recruiting from abroad
Where Japan needs foreign talent most, and what those roles pay.
Technology
A structural IT-talent shortfall opens up to foreign engineers.
Healthcare & care
A super-ageing society drives acute elder-care demand.
Manufacturing & engineering
Robotics and automotive R&D recruit engineers.
Hospitality & services
Record tourism creates demand fillable via the SSW route.
Recent changes
What's changed lately
Recent policy changes that affect migrants, newest first.
- TighterAug 28, 2026 · 2 months ago
Residence permit fees to rise sharply
Not yet in force. For applications received from 1 October 2026, changing status or extending a stay costs JPY 33,000 for 1 year, JPY 48,000 for over 1 to under 3 years, JPY 64,000 for 3 to under 5 years and JPY 75,000 for 5 years (in person; online is cheaper), and permanent residence costs JPY 200,000. Applications received by 30 September 2026 pay the old fees. Certificates of Eligibility are not affected.
JPY 6,000 (PR JPY 10,000)JPY 33,000-75,000 (PR JPY 200,000) from 1 October 2026
Quality of life
What living there feels like
Tokyo
Huge, safe metropolisAn enormous, ultra-safe and efficient job market, surprisingly affordable for a global capital.
- Cost index
- 78
- 1-bed rent
- $1,500
- Quality
- 84
Osaka
Friendly & affordableWarmer, friendlier and cheaper than Tokyo, with a deep job market and famous food.
- Cost index
- 68
- 1-bed rent
- $1,150
- Quality
- 83
Fukuoka
Startup cityJapan's designated startup city, compact, affordable, sunny and very easy to live in.
- Cost index
- 60
- 1-bed rent
- $950
- Quality
- 84
Yokohama
Waterfront & spaceA spacious, cosmopolitan port beside Tokyo, popular with families for its waterfront living.
- Cost index
- 72
- 1-bed rent
- $1,250
- Quality
- 84
Kyoto
Culture & universitiesThe cultural capital with top universities, temples and a calmer pace than Tokyo.
- Cost index
- 66
- 1-bed rent
- $1,050
- Quality
- 84
Nagoya
Manufacturing heartToyota's region, a high-wage manufacturing hub that is roomy and affordable.
- Cost index
- 66
- 1-bed rent
- $1,000
- Quality
- 82
Sapporo
Space & natureA spacious northern city with great food, skiing and notably low rents.
- Cost index
- 60
- 1-bed rent
- $900
- Quality
- 83
Living essentials
The practical day-to-day of settling in Japan.
Excellent, affordable universal insurance with modest co-pays.
Strong public schools and universities; international schools in big cities (pricey).
Surprisingly reasonable in Tokyo for a global city; rural Japan is cheap.
Among the fastest and most reliable on earth.
Four distinct seasons, hot summers, cold (snowy north) winters.
Safety & climate
The reception you can expect
How welcoming the public and political mood is, how safe it is, and how geopolitically stable the country is right now.
Anti-migrant sentiment
trendOrderly and very safe; historically homogeneous but gradually opening to foreign workers.
Higher = more hostile public/political climate.
Geopolitical stability
A composite of governance, security and regional-risk signals. Higher means a more predictable environment for settling long term.
Higher = more stable.
Safety
Exceptionally safe with very low street crime; scams rare.
Higher = safer (crime index 16/100).
Where to live
Which Japan city fits you?
Cities matched to who you are, career, family, retirement, study or remote work. We flag the ones to consider and the ones to approach with care.
Tokyo
Orderly megacity
An enormous, ultra-safe and efficient job market, surprisingly affordable for a global capital.
Osaka
Foodie second city
Warmer, friendlier and cheaper than Tokyo, with a deep job market and famous food.
Fukuoka
Compact and livable
Japan's designated startup city, compact, affordable, sunny and very easy to live in.
Yokohama
Cosmopolitan port
A spacious, cosmopolitan port beside Tokyo, popular with families for its waterfront living.
Kyoto
Traditional and calm
The cultural capital with top universities, temples and a calmer pace than Tokyo.
Nagoya
Industrial powerhouse
Toyota's region, a high-wage manufacturing hub that is roomy and affordable.
Sapporo
Northern winter city
A spacious northern city with great food, skiing and notably low rents.
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