Immigration
Entry Requirements
When you move to Japan, a valid U.S. passport is required to enter the country. You may visit Japan as a tourist for up to three months without a visa if you have a return air ticket or an onwards ticket to a country that you have the right to enter. The passport must be valid for your entire stay in Japan and up-to-date prior to entry. Upon arrival, you are required to provide fingerprints and have your photo taken. Visit the U.S. Department of State’s website for Japan Entry Requirements.
Permanent Residency
If you want to move to Japan and reside for longer than three months, you must acquire a Residence Card, which is also called a Zairyu Card. The Residence Card will permit you to stay in Japan for up to five years. Foreign residents who have shown good conduct and have enough assets to make a living in Japan can be granted permission for permanent residency if they reside in Japan for 10 consecutive years.
As a foreign national residing in Japan, you are required to carry your Residence Card with you at all times in the event that Japanese police ask to see proof of residency. You should be aware that failure to carry your Residence Card with you is a violation of Japanese law. The Residence Card is issued by the Japanese Embassy and Consulates and must be obtained prior to your arrival to Japan. You are not required to obtain a re-entry permit if you plan to leave the country temporarily for any reason with the intention of returning to Japan. For more information, the U.S. Department of State has an excellent Japanese visa overview for you to review. More specific visa information is available at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.
Work Visas
If you want to work in Japan, you are required to obtain a Working Visa from the Japanese Embassy. There are specific requirements as to how long you may stay in the country based on the field of employment for which you apply. If you are applying in the field of medical services, for example, you will be granted a working visa to stay in Japan for a period of either three years or one year, depending on specific circumstances. Details by field of employment are available at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan website.
Business Visas
If you want to start your own business in Japan, you must apply for a Business Visa and meet the following conditions:
- Commence the operation of a business in Japan by making a certain level of investment
- Invest in an existing business in Japan in addition to operating and managing this business
- Operate and manage a business under another foreign investor
- Participate in a management project of a company
Once this visa is obtained, you will be granted permission to stay in Japan for a period of up to three years. Business Visas can be renewed an unlimited amount of times at the end of every three year period. More information is available at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan website.
Retirement
Japan does not have a visa category for retirement. Please see long-term visas under Permanent Residency.
Customs
Household Goods
If you move to Japan and stay for more than one year, your household effects may be imported free of duty and/or tax within the limit deemed reasonable by Customs. Used household goods and personal effects are duty-free provided the goods have been in your possession and use for at least one full year. New Items that you have purchased within one year of your move should be packed in original boxes with the invoices. Your goods must arrive within six months of your arrival in the country. If you ship your goods by air, you will need a detailed list with carton numbers and items in each carton, along with the total number of pieces. Although your international moving company will likely handle most of this, you should know about the documents required to import your goods:
- A passport copy with stamped pages that include the photo page, entry stamp (must match date on the C5360-2 Form) and visa pages
- A Japanese visa that is valid for one year
- An OBL/AWB or Express Release/Waybill
- A comprehensive inventory list in English or Japanese
- Customs Form C5360-2
- A Declaration Form if you are importing alcohol and cigarettes
- Delivery address and telephone number
- Alcohol is allowed up to three bottles duty-free (760cc) per adult; any additional liquor will incur duty
- You can import 200 cigarettes duty-free per adult
- A two-month supply of prescription medications with physician’s prescription is allowed
- Cosmetics and non-prescription medications are limited to 24 pieces for a single product item
- Quarantine Certificates are required for rooted plants, shells, meats, furs and taxidermy animals
- Perfume in quantities over two ounces will be subject to duty
- Electrical appliances are subject to duty
For more detailed information and a list of prohibited items, visit the Japan Customs website.