Passport Atlas

Entering Japan

Japan playbook updated 2026-09. Openness first, then how to apply and how to stay.

Openness rank

#144

Entry openness

Visa free

Visa required

116

Japan digital nomad visaDigital Nomad Visa (Designated Activities) · ¥10,000,000/yr (≈ US$5,667/mo)

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Country profile

Capital

Tokyo

Population

123.3 million

Area

377,835 km²

Currency

Japanese yen JPY

Languages

Japanese

Time zone

UTC+09:00

Foreign-born

3.4 million · 2024

Migrant share

2.8%

Ethnic groups · 2022

Japanese97.5%
other1.2%
Chinese0.6%
Vietnam0.4%
South Korean0.3%

Foreign-born counts are UN international migrant stock via the World Bank (mostly 2024). Ethnic groups follow each country's published categories — most do not census by skin colour. Indicative only.

Travel notes

Plug

Type A / Type B

Mains

100 V · 50 Hz

Driving

Left

Emergency

Police 110 · Ambulance 119

Dialing code

+81

Airports

NRT · KIX · HND · NGO

Highlights

Mount Fuji
Fushimi Inari
Kiyomizu-dera
Itsukushima
Kinkaku-ji
Tōdai-ji

Japan Passport Guides · Japan Visa site Immigration site

How to get a visa

Temporary visitor visa
Visit / tourism · Usually 15 / 30 / 90 days
- File itinerary, funds and employment proof at a Japanese mission or designated agent. Chinese passports are often lodged via appointed travel agencies.
- Visa-exempt entries receive a period of stay at the border and cannot switch to work status in Japan.
Engineer / Humanities / International Services, or Highly Skilled Professional
Work · 1–5 years, renewable
- The Japanese host applies to Immigration for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE).
- Exchange the COE for a work visa at a mission, then collect a residence card on arrival.
Specified Skilled Worker (i) / (ii)
Work · SSW (i) up to 5 years; SSW (ii) renewable with family
- Pass the skills and Japanese tests, then be hired by a registered employer or support organisation.
Student visa
Study · Matches the course; part-time work with permission
- The school obtains a COE; after graduation you may switch to work or a job-hunting designated activity.

Immigration routes

Highly Skilled Professional points
Points / invitation
Points from education, salary and Japanese. 70 or 80 points unlock accelerated PR.
Leads to PR：HSP is currently the fastest PR track in Japan.
Ten-year work path
Skilled work
Ordinary work status for 10 years, including 5+ years of work, then PR.
Leads to PR：The standard track: slow, but the criteria are clear.
Specified Skilled Worker (ii)
Skilled work
Upgrade from SSW (i) to (ii) for long-term stay and family, then PR.
Leads to PR：A skilled-trades route that does not use HSP points.