Ways to live in Japan
These are the residence routes in Bordr's guide that we have checked against official sources. Each one links to the government page.
Programme details are shown in English.
Digital nomad visa Digital nomad visas →
Digital Nomad (Designated Activities)
Lets high-earning remote workers employed or contracted abroad live and work online from Japan for up to 6 months.
- What you need
- Annual income of at least 10 million yen from a foreign employer or foreign clients, and citizenship of an eligible country (visa-free countries with a tax treaty with Japan). Also: private health insurance with at least 10 million yen of treatment cover; no work for Japanese organisations.
- Income
- from about $5,550 a month
- How long
- Up to 6 months, no renewal; you can return after 6 months outside Japan
- Renewable
- No
- Cost
- Standard visa fee for your nationality (15,000 yen for a single-entry visa from 1 July 2026; some nationalities are exempt)
- How to apply
- Certificate of Eligibility from Japan's Immigration Services Agency, then a visa at a Japanese embassy or consulate
- Family
- Family members can come with you
- Path to permanent residence
- No, and the stay does not count towards permanent residence
Work permit Work permits →
Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services
The main work status for office professionals hired by a Japanese company: engineers, IT staff, interpreters, designers, marketers.
- What you need
- A job offer from a company in Japan matching your degree or experience. The employer usually applies for your Certificate of Eligibility.
- How long
- 3 months, 1, 3 or 5 years
- Renewable
- Yes
- How to apply
- Certificate of Eligibility in Japan, then a visa at the Japanese embassy or consulate
- Family
- Family members can come with you
- Path to permanent residence
- Permanent residence is possible after long continuous residence
Highly Skilled Professional (points-based)
Fast track for researchers, specialists and executives who score at least 70 points for education, experience, salary and other factors.
- What you need
- A qualifying job in research, specialised or technical work, or business management, and 70 or more points.
- How long
- 5 years; after 3 years you can move to category 2 with unlimited stay
- Renewable
- Yes
- How to apply
- Certificate of Eligibility in Japan, then a visa at the Japanese embassy or consulate; applications are processed with priority
- Family
- Family members can come with you
- Path to permanent residence
- Permanent residence after 3 years with 70+ points, or after 1 year with 80+ points
Student visa Student visas →
Student status of residence
For people accepted by a Japanese university, vocational school or Japanese-language school.
- What you need
- The school applies for a Certificate of Eligibility at a regional immigration bureau. You show you can cover your costs (savings, income or a sponsor). Work is allowed only with separate permission, up to 28 hours a week (up to 8 hours a day in long school holidays).
- Renewable
- Yes
- How to apply
- With the certificate, apply for the visa at a Japanese embassy or consulate; the residence card is issued at the main airports on arrival
- Family
- Family members can come with you
- Path to permanent residence
- Graduates often switch to a work status such as Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services
Freelancer and self-employed Freelancer and self-employed visas →
Startup Visa (Designated Activities)
Lets foreign founders stay in Japan to prepare a business before they meet the Business Manager requirements.
- What you need
- A business plan approved by a participating municipality or certified organisation, then approval by the Immigration Services Agency. Regular progress reviews with the sponsoring organisation.
- How long
- Up to 1 year
- Renewable
- Yes
- How to apply
- Through a participating municipality, then the immigration bureau
- Path to permanent residence
- Meant as a bridge to the Business Manager status
Investment and golden visa Investment and golden visas →
Business Manager visa
Residence status for people who start or run a business in Japan. Criteria were sharply tightened on 16 October 2025.
- What you need
- A business of at least 30 million yen with at least one full-time Japanese or settled employee, a real office and a viable business plan. You or a full-time employee must speak upper-intermediate Japanese (JLPT N2 level); current holders must meet this by 16 October 2028.
- Savings
- about $200,000
- How long
- 3 months to 5 years per grant
- Renewable
- Yes
- Cost
- Visa fee plus residence permit fees
- How to apply
- Certificate of Eligibility from the Immigration Services Agency, then a visa at an embassy
- Family
- Family members can come with you
- Path to permanent residence
- Yes, counts towards permanent residence (usually after 10 years) and citizenship
Cost of living
Monthly amounts in US dollars.
| One-bedroom flat | $400 |
|---|---|
| Two-bedroom flat | $770 |
| Bills | $140 |
| Typical local salary | $3,790 |
| Budget for one person | $1,600 |
Cities to consider
- TokyoEndless neighbourhoods, perfect trains≈ $888 a month for one person, before rent
- YokohamaPort city next to Tokyo≈ $888 a month for one person, before rent
- OsakaJapan's kitchen with a grin
- NagoyaPractical big city≈ $888 a month for one person, before rent
- SapporoSnowy winters, mild summers
- FukuokaCompact city of ramen and sea
- KyotoTemples, gardens and quiet lanes
- HiroshimaRivers, trams and memory
Climate by month, neighbourhoods and costs for each city are in the Bordr guide.
What life is like
Programme details are shown in English.
Why people move
Japan combines superb food, seasonal traditions and spotless cities with mountains and onsen towns. Tokyo offers endless neighbourhoods to explore, Osaka is friendlier and food-obsessed, and Fukuoka and Kyoto suit those after a smaller scale.
Day to day
Shinkansen bullet trains and local rail make a car unnecessary in most cities. National health insurance keeps care affordable and efficient. Cash is still used, though cards and IC cards are growing, internet is fast, and Japanese is needed for daily tasks.
Trade-offs
Renting can be hard for foreigners, with many landlords reluctant. Work culture is demanding and social rules are strict. Summers are humid, and earthquakes and typhoons are part of life.
Before you move: visa-free entry
Most people arrive as visitors first, then apply from inside the country or come back with the right visa. How long you can stay as a visitor depends on your passport:
United States90 days
United Kingdom90 days
Australia90 days
Canada90 days
New Zealand90 days
Switzerland90 days
Norway90 days
Singapore90 days
South Korea90 days
Israel90 days
United Arab Emirates90 days
Hong Kong90 days
South Africae-Visa · 90 d
Mexico90 days
Brazil90 days
Questions
Does Japan have a digital nomad visa?
Yes. Japan offers: Digital Nomad (Designated Activities).
How much money do I need to live in Japan?
A single person can live on from about $1,600 a month. A one-bedroom flat costs about $400 a month.
How can I move to Japan?
The routes we have checked are: Digital nomad visa, Work permit, Student visa, Freelancer and self-employed, Investment and golden visa.
When was this information checked?
The residence routes for Japan were last checked against official sources on 30 October 2026.
Sources and last check
Residence routes for Japan were last checked against official sources on 30 October 2026.
- Immigration Services Agency of Japan: Designated Activities (Digital Nomad)
- Immigration Services Agency of Japan: revised Business Manager criteria (Oct 2025)
- JNTO: Digital Nomad Visa
- VFS Global (Embassy of Japan in Singapore): Long Stay for sightseeing and recreation checklist
- https://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/index.html
This page is general information, not legal or immigration advice. Requirements change; confirm with the official government page or a licensed adviser before you apply.
