Visas and Status of Residence
Visas and Status of Residence
There are a large number of visas available for those wishing to come to Japan. A visa can only be obtained outside of Japan. On arrival in Japan an immigration officer will check your visa and if approved, you will be granted the appropriate status of residence. For the purposes of sightseeing or business, citizens of 58 countries are not required to obtain visas prior to arrival in Japan. These countries are listed in the Tourist Visa section. Nationals of these countries holding valid passports can apply for landing permission for short-term stays for such purposes as sightseeing and business trips without acquiring a visa. However, cases involving paid activities in Japan are excluded.
This post aims to help you find out which visa is best for you. Please note that while this document is as accurate as we can make it, things may change, and immigration may interpret things differently – so use this as a guide and not as gospel. There are immigration lawyers out there that you can turn to.
Immigration Lawyers
To be honest I have never had the need and therefore no experience using either of the following companies services. Both of their websites seem amateurish. But if your visa has expired, or you are looking to start up a company here in Japan, it might be worth your while to get in touch with them.
Tokyo Visa Firm
http://home.interlink.or.jp/~consult/
Based in Hagiyama-cho Tokyo.
Wada Legal & Administrative Office
http://www.wada-lats.com/
Based in Nishi-Shinjuku, Tokyo. With information in both Japanese and French,
Tourist Visa
About 90 percent of people who enter Japan legally gain short term “status of residence” for the purposes of sightseeing or business. It is not legal to work and receive compensation in Japan under this category, nor is one technically allowed to search for a job whilst in Japan under this permission.
Requirements:
Passport must be Valid 3 months Beyond Intended Stay
Tickets and Documents for Return or Onward Travel
Vaccinations – None Required
In the case of countries which have negotiated 6 month visits, visitors are initially granted a 3 month stay can be extended on application to an immigration office. I have heard of cases where visitors from other countries have left Japan, usually to Korea or Taiwan and have been granted another 90 day stay. After the second 90 day stay it becomes much more difficult though to re-enter Japan.
List of Countries That Have Visa Exemption Arrangements with Japan
(58 countries as of December 2004)
Term of residence: 6 months or less
Countries: Mexico, Austria, Germany, Ireland, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, United Kingdom
Term of residence: 3 months or less
Countries: Singapore, Canada, Argentina, Bahamas, Chile, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Suriname, Uruguay, Israel, Turkey, Lesotho, Mauritius, Tunisia, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden.
Term of Residence: 90 days or less
Countries: New Zealand, Australia, Hong Kong (BNO, SAR passport), USA, Barbados, Andorra, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Monaco, Poland, Slovakia.
Term of Residence: 14 days or less
Countries: Brunei
Notes: In the case of visa exemption arrangements of up to three months or 90 days, foreigners are granted upon landing a temporary visitor status for a period of 90 days (15 days for Brunei).
Nationals of countries that have concluded visa exemption arrangements with Japan for stays of up to six months in principle are granted permission to stay in Japan for 90 days at the time of landing. Nationals of these countries who wish to stay in Japan for more than 90 days must apply at their nearest immigration authority in Japan for an extension of their period of stay.
In the case of Bangladesh, Pakistan and Iran, visa exemption arrangement is temporarily suspended.
In the case of Malaysia, Peru and Colombia, it is recommended to obtain a visa prior to entry into Japan.
For more (uptodate) information please visit the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Website at http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/index.html
Working Holiday Visa
Working Holiday Visas are available for citizens of New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Germany, South Korea, France and the United Kingdom who are between the ages of 18 and 30. Have heard of some cases where working holiday visas were issued to those over 30 however. If you come on a working holiday visa, you normally are granted an initial 6 month stay which is renewable. People on WHV often work as English instructors, but it is possible to do many types of jobs – from bar work, working on ski fields and adventure guiding, or working on golf courses being particularly popular choices.
http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/w_holiday/
Other visas:
Cultural Visa
Available for those coming to Japan to study things such as martial arts, sword making, tea ceremony. etc.
Dependent Visa
If your spouse is Japanese, or if your partner or parent has a working visa you may qualify for a dependent visa.
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