How to Think About and Proceed with Visas for Moving to Japan

2. Main Visa Options for Moving to Japan Based on Your Situation

Here, we introduce representative cases and organize the possible directions and the next actions to take.
*Please note that which status of residence is appropriate in practice depends on factors such as educational background, work history, employment conditions, planned activities, and the availability of supporting documents.

1. If You Have Graduated from an Overseas University | Possibility of a Work Visa

If you have graduated from an overseas university (or possess an equivalent educational background) and plan to engage in specialized work in Japan, a work-related status of residence (e.g., Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services) may be an option.

In the examination of a work visa application, the following points are mainly reviewed.

Overview of Work Visa Requirements

• There must be a clear relevance between what you studied at university and the actual job duties you will perform
• A Japanese host company (employer) has been determined
• The job duties and employment conditions (remuneration, employment type, etc.) comply with the requirements of the status of residence

However, as a general rule, a work visa can only be applied for after a host company (employer) has been secured. Individuals cannot apply on their own while they are still unemployed.

Next Actions in This Case

• No job offer yet

  First, proceed with job applications and recruitment selection, and obtain a job offer.

  *Our office does not provide job placement services or guidance on how to find employment. We support visa procedures after employment has been secured.

• Job offer received / employment 예정

  We offer a free consultation to assess whether the relationship between job duties and your educational/work background, as well as the employment conditions, meet the requirements.

2. If You Have Capital and a Business Plan | Possibility of a Business Manager Visa

If you wish to move to Japan for the purpose of establishing and operating a company and conducting business as a manager or executive, the Business Manager visa may be an option.

Following the system reform in October 2025, the Business Manager visa is no longer a visa that “anyone can obtain simply by investing money”, and has become a system under which suitability as a business manager and the feasibility of the business are examined much more strictly.

[Business Manager Visa Tightened] 2025 Legal Amendment Guide

An immigration lawyer explains the details of the tightening of the Business Manager visa, including the amendments, their impact, transitional measures, and renewal practices.

In the examination process, the following points are mainly reviewed.

• Investment Scale: In principle, an investment of at least JPY 30 million
  (Comprehensively evaluated, including paid-in capital, equipment investment, personnel costs, etc.)
• Employment of Full-Time Staff: At least one full-time employee in Japan is employed, or a concrete hiring plan has been established
  *Actual employment conditions, including enrollment in social insurance and employment contracts, are emphasized
• Business Plan: A highly feasible business plan that includes a revenue model, hiring plan, and cash flow projections
• Requirements of the Business Manager: One of the following must be satisfied
  • Possession of a master’s degree or higher equivalent in a field related to the business
  • At least three years of practical experience in business management or administration (in some cases, preparation periods for starting a business may also be considered)
• Japanese Language Ability: In principle, B2 level or higher (approximately JLPT N2)
  *Depending on the management structure, this requirement may be supplemented by appointing a full-time employee who can handle Japanese-language tasks
• Business Substance: A physical business office must be secured, and the business must not be merely nominal or a paper company

Please note that at the stage of “just setting up a company for now” or “planning to consider a business in the future”, approval of a Business Manager visa is difficult.

Next Actions in This Case

• If you do not meet the requirements, such as having JPY 30 million or more in investment funds or the personal qualifications of a business manager

  Give up pursuing a Business Manager visa and explore other application routes

• If you have JPY 30 million or more in funds, a reasonably developed business plan, and meet the personal requirements of a business manager

  Based on your business plan and personal qualifications, we offer a free consultation to assess the eligibility and key considerations for applying for a Business Manager visa.

3. If Your Nationality and Industry Category Match | Specified Skilled Worker Visa

The Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) program is a system that permits foreign nationals to work only in sectors facing labor shortages in Japan, and applicants must meet certain skills test and Japanese-language proficiency requirements.
In addition, this is not a system that applies to all countries or all occupations, and the fields, nationalities, and acceptance framework are strictly defined.

The Specified Skilled Worker status is not a “general visa for moving to Japan.”
It is premised on having a host company (employer) in Japan, and it is not a system under which an individual can proceed independently by consulting a professional in Japan.

• Eligible fields: Nursing care, food service, construction, agriculture, accommodation, etc. (fields are limited)
• Nationality requirements: Only countries/regions that have concluded a bilateral agreement (MOC) with Japan
• Mandatory conditions: Passing a skills test and a Japanese-language test (in principle, at least approximately N4 level)

In particular, we often see individual inquiries from people from the Middle East and African countries, but recruitment and referrals under the Specified Skilled Worker program are conducted through each country’s government/public institutions and authorized sending organizations.

Major Countries/Regions That Send Workers Under the Specified Skilled Worker Program

• Vietnam
• Philippines
• Indonesia
• Myanmar
• Nepal
• Cambodia
• Thailand
• Sri Lanka
• Bangladesh
• Mongolia, etc.

If you do not hold one of the nationalities listed above, or if you are an individual who has not secured a host company, you generally cannot proceed with the process even if you contact an administrative scrivener office in Japan directly.

Next Actions in This Case

• Individuals who wish to obtain Specified Skilled Worker status

  Please contact your home country’s government agencies, authorized sending organizations, or test administering bodies. Our office does not accept consultations from individuals regarding the Specified Skilled Worker program.

• Japanese host companies (employers)

  After confirming the field requirements and acceptance framework (such as a registered support organization), please contact our office for consultation.

4. If You Are Married to a Japanese National or a Foreign Resident with Long-Term Status in Japan | Possibility of a Spouse-Related Status of Residence

If you are in a legally valid marriage with a Japanese national, or with a foreign national who holds a long-term status of residence in Japan (such as Permanent Resident or Long-Term Resident), a spouse-related status of residence—such as “Spouse or Child of Japanese National” or “Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident”—may be an option.

In the examination for a spouse visa, immigration authorities assess not only whether you are “married,” but also the genuineness of the marriage and whether you can maintain a stable life in Japan comprehensively.

Overview of Requirements for Spouse-Related Statuses of Residence

• The marriage must be legally valid and be a genuine relationship with substance
• Based on factors such as cohabitation, communication, and the history of the relationship, it must be possible to determine that it is not a sham/formal marriage
• Regarding life in Japan, there must be a reasonable prospect of maintaining a stable livelihood on an ongoing basis

Unlike work visas, spouse visas have no restrictions based on educational background, work history, or occupation, but for that reason, confirmation of the genuineness of the marriage is given very significant weight.

Next Actions in This Case

• Planning to get married / preparing for marriage

  First complete the marriage procedures (in Japan or overseas) and prepare documents that can prove the fact of marriage.

  *Marriage procedures vary by country. Because marriage procedures and visa procedures are different, organizing the correct order is important.

• Already married

  Based on your marriage history, living situation, and income situation, we offer a free consultation regarding eligibility and key considerations for your application.

5. If You Have Japanese Ancestry or a Status Relationship with a Japanese National | Possibility of a Long-Term Resident Visa

Even if you have a blood relationship or a status-based relationship with Japan, it does not mean that all cases fall under the same status of residence.
In this section, we organize cases that may be eligible for the “Long-Term Resident” status of residence.

Unlike work visas or spouse visas, the Long-Term Resident visa is not a status of residence that is automatically granted solely based on legal status.
Taking into account individual circumstances, immigration authorities make a comprehensive decision by considering the reality of your life in Japan and your likelihood of long-term settlement in the future.

Major Cases That May Be Eligible for a Long-Term Resident Visa

• Persons of Japanese descent (second generation, third generation, etc.)
  └ Cases where the applicant was born as a descendant of a Japanese national and is recognized as having the potential for long-term settlement in Japan
• A child whose parents did not hold Japanese nationality at the time of birth
  └ Cases that do not fall under “Spouse or Child of Japanese National” because the person was not born as a child of a Japanese national
• A foreign parent who has custody of and raises a Japanese child
  └ For example, cases where the parent continues to raise a Japanese child after divorce or the death of the spouse
• Other cases where there are special circumstances requiring humanitarian consideration

In the examination for a Long-Term Resident visa, immigration authorities look not only at a blood relationship or family registry records, but also place importance on the actual living situation to date, the support/dependency relationship, and the likelihood of long-term settlement in Japan going forward .

Key Points That Are Emphasized in the Examination

• The content and substance of the status relationship with a Japanese national (Japanese ancestry relationship, custody/child-raising circumstances, etc.)
• Your planned residence and living foundation in Japan
• The prospect of being able to maintain a stable life continuously, such as income and support arrangements

Next Actions in This Case

• You have a relationship with a Japanese national, but it is unclear which status of residence applies

  You need to organize the nationality situation at the time of birth, the parent-child relationship, and the actual living circumstances, and confirm whether you qualify as a Long-Term Resident or fall under a different status of residence.

• You are a person of Japanese descent or in a custody/child-raising position

  Because decisions are made based on individual circumstances, it is important to consult a professional in advance regarding eligibility and how to substantiate your case.

6. If You Were Born as a Child of a Japanese National | Status of Residence “Spouse or Child of Japanese National (Child of Japanese National)”

If, at the time of your birth, either your father or mother held Japanese nationality, you may qualify as a “child of a Japanese national” and therefore may fall under the status of residence “Spouse or Child of Japanese National”.

This category is completely different in the system from a Long-Term Resident visa, and it should be distinguished from Long-Term Resident cases based on Japanese descent (second/third generation) or humanitarian considerations.

Major Cases That May Apply

• If either your father or mother was a Japanese national at the time of your birth
• If you did not acquire Japanese nationality after birth, but it can be confirmed through the family register, etc. that you are the biological child of a Japanese national
• If you were born overseas and currently hold a foreign nationality, but your parent’s nationality relationship at the time of your birth corresponds to Japanese nationality

*If, at the time of birth, both parents had already lost Japanese nationality, you would not qualify as a “child of a Japanese national,” and it may instead be a case where a Long-Term Resident visa should be considered.

Key Points Confirmed in the Examination

• Your parents’ nationality status at the time of birth (family register / removed register, proof of nationality, etc.)
• The substance of the parent-child relationship with the Japanese national
• Your planned residence and living foundation in Japan

This status of residence imposes no restrictions based on your job duties or educational background and is a status-based category with relatively few limitations on activities in Japan, but it is extremely important to confirm the underlying facts regarding nationality and the circumstances at the time of birth.

Next Actions in This Case

• Your parents’ nationality status at the time of your birth is unclear

  You need to confirm family register / removed register records and the timing of any loss of nationality, and organize whether you qualify as a “child of a Japanese national”.

• There is a high likelihood that you were born as a child of a Japanese national

  Regarding required documents and application procedures, we recommend that you consult a professional to confirm whether you can obtain the status of residence “Spouse or Child of Japanese National”.

7. If a Former Japanese National Returns to Japan | Possibility of the Status of Residence “Spouse or Child of Japanese National”

Some people previously held Japanese nationality but are now foreign nationals due to naturalization or renunciation of Japanese nationality (former Japanese nationals), and wish to return to Japan to live there long-term.

In this case, because the person is currently a foreign national, they cannot freely return to and reside in Japan as a Japanese national, and therefore must obtain an appropriate status of residence.
In cases where a former Japanese national returns to Japan, they may qualify for the status of residence “Spouse or Child of Japanese National”.

Major Cases Considered Under the Status of Residence “Spouse or Child of Japanese National”

• A former Japanese national who previously held Japanese nationality and became a foreign national after renouncing Japanese nationality
• Cases where a continuing status-based relationship with Japanese society is recognized (history of living in Japan, family relationships, etc.)

*There is no system under which a status of residence is automatically granted merely because a person is a former Japanese national.
The decision is made based on the circumstances of nationality loss and the reality of life in Japan and the likelihood of long-term settlement.

Key Points Confirmed in the Examination

• The fact and period of having held Japanese nationality (family register / removed register, etc.)
• The timing and circumstances of nationality loss
• The status-based and social ties to Japan
• Your planned residence and living foundation in Japan

The status of residence “Spouse or Child of Japanese National” is a status-based category with relatively few restrictions based on job duties or educational background; however, organizing the circumstances of nationality loss and your relationship with Japan is a key factor that can determine whether an application is feasible.

Next Actions in This Case

• You qualify as a former Japanese national, but the details of nationality renunciation are unclear

  First, you need to confirm when and through what procedure you lost Japanese nationality.
  After organizing items such as your family register / removed register and whether a notification of nationality renunciation exists, determine whether you qualify under the status of residence “Spouse or Child of Japanese National”.

• You are considering returning to Japan with the intention of living in Japan

  Before applying, it is important to organize the required documents and the background that must be explained, and to clarify your application strategy. Please use our free consultation.

8. If You Have No Connection to Japan | The Option of a Student Visa

If you have no basis for activities in Japan—such as educational background, work history, an expected employer, or a business plan— some people consider entering Japan first through study (Japanese language schools, vocational schools, universities, etc.) to build a connection.
However, studying is strictly for the purpose of education, and there are restrictions on working. It is not a system for “entering Japan first and working.”

Next Actions in This Case

• Your purpose is Japanese-language study or further education

  Proceed with selecting a school (certified schools, etc.), planning tuition and living expenses, and completing admission procedures. Our office does not introduce or broker schools. For student visas, please contact each school directly.

3. Common Misconceptions | Cautions About Online Information on Moving to Japan

1. There Is No Such Thing as the “Easiest Visa to Obtain”

We often receive questions such as, “Which visa is the easiest to get?” However, within Japan’s status of residence system, the idea of an “easy visa” or a “visa that anyone can use” basically does not exist.

All statuses of residence require that the purpose of staying in Japan is clearly defined, and the system only works when that purpose matches the applicant’s circumstances and qualifications.

For example, work-related statuses of residence are premised on an employment contract and job duties, while a Business Manager visa requires substantive business operations and suitability as a manager.
Likewise, a student visa is for the purpose of “studying in Japan,” and is not a system whose primary purpose is simply living in Japan or working.

In this way, statuses of residence cannot be compared side-by-side by “difficulty”, and must be considered from the perspective of “which system’s prerequisites match my current situation.”
Rather than searching for the “easiest visa to obtain,” it is important to organize which statuses of residence can realistically be considered under your current circumstances.

2. Risks of Self-Judgment and Online Information

A great deal of information about moving to Japan and visas is available online, and it can be useful for understanding the general framework of the system.
However, in actual application practice, “knowing the system” and “preparing an application that will be approved” are very different.

In immigration examinations, it is not only whether the requirements are met that matters, but also which documents are used as evidence, in what order, and how thoroughly matters are explained, which can affect the officer’s understanding and decision.
In particular, procedures such as changes of status, renewals, permanent residence applications, and point-based applications vary widely depending on each applicant’s circumstances, and applications based solely on self-judgment can sometimes work against the applicant.

Approaches such as “just submit it for now” or “use online personal experiences as a reference” can, once a denial occurs, affect subsequent applications.
If you have concerns or are unsure how to judge your situation, we recommend consulting a professional at an early stage and proceeding after organizing the risks.

4. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Moving to Japan

No, you cannot.
In principle, permanent residence permission is a system intended for people already residing in Japan on a mid-to-long-term basis.
It is a misunderstanding to think “if you have enough points you can obtain permanent residence from abroad” or “you can move to Japan with permanent residence from the beginning.”

In practice, a comprehensive examination is conducted based on your track record of living in Japan, including your period of stay, work record, income, and tax and social insurance payment status.

The Highly Skilled Professional (HSP) is a status of residence premised on working in Japan.
In principle, it requires that a Japanese host company (employer) has been secured, and it is not a system under which an individual can apply on their own while living overseas.

In addition, even if your points meet the threshold, you may not be approved if your employment details or conditions of stay do not comply with the requirements.

Marriage alone does not guarantee approval.
In spouse visa examinations, in addition to a legally valid marriage, immigration authorities place importance on the genuineness of the marriage (relationship history, cohabitation status, and actual living situation) and whether you can maintain a stable life in Japan.

If the marriage appears formal or the genuineness cannot be confirmed, the application may be denied.

Not necessarily.
Even where there is a blood relationship with a Japanese national, Long-Term Resident cases are decided individually based on your living circumstances to date and your likelihood of long-term settlement.

Key factors include the substance of the parent-child relationship, the custody/support situation, and your living foundation.

The Specified Skilled Worker program is premised on having a host company (employer) in Japan, and it is not a system where individuals can proceed by directly consulting professionals in Japan.

If you wish to pursue Specified Skilled Worker status, please contact your home country’s government agencies, authorized sending organizations, or test administering bodies.
Please note that ACROSEED Immigration Lawyer's Office responds only to inquiries from Japanese host companies.

No, you cannot.
Japan’s work visas (e.g., Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services, Highly Skilled Professional, etc.) are, as a general rule, premised on having a Japanese host company (employer) secured at the time of application.

Therefore, an individual cannot apply for a “Work visa” on their own without a job offer or employment contract.

First, proceed with job applications and recruitment selection to secure an employer, then confirm that the employment conditions and job duties meet the requirements of the applicable status of residence. After that, the application process will proceed in parallel with the employer’s preparations (such as organizing required documents).

*While ACROSEED Immigration Lawyer's Office does not provide job placement services, we can support status of residence procedures after employment has been secured.

5. ACROSEED Immigration Lawyer's Office Support Framework

This page organizes the possible status of residence options for foreign nationals living overseas who are considering moving to Japan.
Among these, our office focuses on supporting cases that require specialized review of eligibility requirements and professional consideration in application procedures.

Types of Moving-to-Japan Consultations We Can Handle

• Work visas
  └ Obtaining, changing, or renewing status of residence for those who have a job offer or expected employment with a Japanese company (including application planning that covers employer-side documentation)
• Business Manager visas
  └ Assessing eligibility for those intending to start and operate a business in Japan, and designing how to explain the business plan and business substance
• Spouse visas (marriage)
  └ Obtaining or changing status of residence based on marriage to a Japanese national or a permanent resident, etc. (organizing the genuineness of the marriage and living circumstances)
• Spouse visas (former Japanese nationals / children of Japanese nationals)
  └ Obtaining or changing status of residence based on being born as a child of a Japanese national
• Long-Term Resident visas
  └ Considering statuses of residence based on a status relationship with a Japanese national, such as children of Japanese nationals or persons of Japanese descent (application planning based on individual circumstances)
• Cases where your status of residence history or background is complex and you are unsure how to proceed
  └ Prior organization and risk review when it is unclear which status of residence is realistic

Consultations We Do Not Handle

• If you only want job placement or job referral services
  └ Our office does not provide job introductions or recruitment support. Please contact job sites or recruitment agencies.
• If you only want introductions to schools or study-abroad agent referrals
  └ We do not provide school introductions or act as an agent for admission procedures. For student visas, please contact the school directly.
• Consultations from individuals regarding the Specified Skilled Worker program
  └ At ACROSEED Immigration Lawyer's Office, we respond only to inquiries from Japanese host companies. For individual inquiries regarding the Specified Skilled Worker program, please contact your home country’s sending/government offices or the host company.

Even if you are not sure whether your situation falls within our scope of services, you may still contact us if the purpose of your inquiry is to determine whether status of residence procedures are required.

Nationwide support: Managed mainly via email and online. Clients outside the area receive the same quality of support.

Multilingual support: Consultations available in English and Chinese.

Clear progress tracking: Check application status and required documents through an online system.

Support for difficult cases: Extensive experience with cases likely to face closer scrutiny, including re-applications after denial.

Transparent fees: Clear fee structure designed to minimize unexpected additional charges.

Support even after a denial: If denied, we provide a free re-application and thorough support until approval.

Information security: We properly manage personal information under operations based on ISO27001.