Eastern Asia · Immigration

Japan

187 immigration routes

Japan sits in Eastern Asia. Its immigration system runs 187 distinct routes — led by work, youth mobility and family, each set out in official law. All 187 cite an official government source, shown on the route with the date we last read it. Who actually qualifies depends on your full profile.

Immigration routes
187across 19 route categories, each set out in official law
Source-cited routes
187 of 187cite an official government source, with the date we last read it
Largest category
Work56 of the 187 routes — see them under Work below
Region
Eastern Asia
Capital
Tokyo
Population
123,366,734
Official language
Japanese
Currency
JPY
Time zone
UTC+09:00
Source-cited pathways

Immigration routes

All 187 routes, grouped by purpose — 187 of 187 cite an official government source directly.

Work

from JPY 200,000/mo · 11 of 56 say who you can bring
56 routes

Income-generating artistic activity

Official government source: moj.go.jp · checked 2026-07-27

Education at an elementary, junior-high, high-school or equivalent institution

Official government source: moj.go.jp · checked 2026-07-27

Transfer from an overseas office to a Japanese office for qualifying professional duties

Official government source: moj.go.jp · checked 2026-07-27

Journalistic activity based on a contract with a foreign journalistic organization

Official government source: moj.go.jp · checked 2026-07-27

Regulated medical activity by an appropriately qualified professional

Official government source: moj.go.jp · checked 2026-07-27

Professional care work by a certified care worker

Official government source: moj.go.jp · checked 2026-07-27

Research, research guidance or education at a university or equivalent institution

Official government source: moj.go.jp · checked 2026-07-27

Research based on a contract with a Japanese public or private organization

Official government source: moj.go.jp · checked 2026-07-27

Investment

1 route

Business & self-employment

1 of 4 says who you can bring
4 routes

Talent & merit

7 routes

Study

14 routes

Family

20 of 20 say who you can bring
20 routes

Independent means

2 of 2 say who you can bring
2 routes

Digital nomad

1 route

Residence-based status

10 routes

Free movement

1 of 3 says who you can bring
3 routes

Youth mobility

32 of 32 say who you can bring
32 routes

Primarily holiday in Japan with incidental work for a national/resident of Austria

Can bring: children
Official government source: mofa.go.jp · checked 2026-07-27

Primarily holiday in Japan with incidental work for a national/resident of Canada

Can bring: children
Official government source: mofa.go.jp · checked 2026-07-27

Primarily holiday in Japan with incidental work for a national/resident of Chile

Can bring: children
Official government source: mofa.go.jp · checked 2026-07-27

Primarily holiday in Japan with incidental work for a national/resident of Denmark

Can bring: children
Official government source: mofa.go.jp · checked 2026-07-27

Primarily holiday in Japan with incidental work for a national/resident of Estonia

Can bring: children
Official government source: mofa.go.jp · checked 2026-07-27

Primarily holiday in Japan with incidental work for a national/resident of Finland

Can bring: children
Official government source: mofa.go.jp · checked 2026-07-27

Primarily holiday in Japan with incidental work for a national/resident of France

Can bring: children
Official government source: mofa.go.jp · checked 2026-07-27

Primarily holiday in Japan with incidental work for a national/resident of Germany

Can bring: children
Official government source: mofa.go.jp · checked 2026-07-27

Primarily holiday in Japan with incidental work for a national/resident of Hungary

Can bring: children
Official government source: mofa.go.jp · checked 2026-07-27

Primarily holiday in Japan with incidental work for a national/resident of Iceland

Can bring: children
Official government source: mofa.go.jp · checked 2026-07-27

Primarily holiday in Japan with incidental work for a national/resident of Ireland

Can bring: children
Official government source: mofa.go.jp · checked 2026-07-27

Primarily holiday in Japan with incidental work for a national/resident of Italy

Can bring: children
Official government source: mofa.go.jp · checked 2026-07-27

Primarily holiday in Japan with incidental work for a national/resident of Latvia

Can bring: children
Official government source: mofa.go.jp · checked 2026-07-27

Primarily holiday in Japan with incidental work for a national/resident of Malta

Can bring: children
Official government source: mofa.go.jp · checked 2026-07-27

Primarily holiday in Japan with incidental work for a national/resident of Norway

Can bring: children
Official government source: mofa.go.jp · checked 2026-07-27

Primarily holiday in Japan with incidental work for a national/resident of Poland

Can bring: children
Official government source: mofa.go.jp · checked 2026-07-27

Primarily holiday in Japan with incidental work for a national/resident of Portugal

Can bring: children
Official government source: mofa.go.jp · checked 2026-07-27

Primarily holiday in Japan with incidental work for a national/resident of Slovakia

Can bring: children
Official government source: mofa.go.jp · checked 2026-07-27

Primarily holiday in Japan with incidental work for a national/resident of Spain

Can bring: children
Official government source: mofa.go.jp · checked 2026-07-27

Primarily holiday in Japan with incidental work for a national/resident of Sweden

Can bring: children
Official government source: mofa.go.jp · checked 2026-07-27

Primarily holiday in Japan with incidental work for a national/resident of Taiwan

Can bring: children
Official government source: mofa.go.jp · checked 2026-07-27

Primarily holiday in Japan with incidental work for a national/resident of Uruguay

Can bring: children
Official government source: mofa.go.jp · checked 2026-07-27

Cultural, religious & volunteer

8 routes

Religious activities by clergy or missionaries sent by a foreign religious organization

Official government source: mofa.go.jp · checked 2026-07-27 · 2 sources

Short stay & visit

8 routes

Humanitarian protection

5 routes

Ancestry & return

1 of 2 says who you can bring
2 routes

Medical treatment

3 routes

Sports

4 routes

Transit

3 routes

Transit through Japan where a visa is required

Official government source: mofa.go.jp · checked 2026-07-27 · 2 sources

Other & special

4 routes

Diplomatic activities on behalf of a foreign government or international organization

Official government source: mofa.go.jp · checked 2026-07-27

Official business of a foreign government or recognised international organization

Official government source: mofa.go.jp · checked 2026-07-27

Official sources

  • National immigration authority · last checked 2026-07-11
  • MOFA VisaGovernment
    National immigration authority · last checked 2026-07-21
  • ssw.go.jpGovernment
    National immigration authority · last checked 2026-07-17
  • meti.go.jpGovernment
    National immigration authority · last checked 2026-07-17
  • National immigration authority · last checked 2026-07-17

Compiled by António Mira, founder · How we verify our data · Not legal advice — immigration rules and thresholds change; confirm with the official sources above before deciding.

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