Moving to Japan in 2026: Visa Options, Costs & Checklist

Last updated: 2026-02-01

If you are googling “how to move to Japan” at 2am, no judgement. The important thing to know is this: moving to Japan long-term is less about wanting it and more about qualifying for it.

That means:

Picking a realistic visa route
Getting the right documents (in the right order)
Bringing enough money to survive the first few months without panic

Quick note for 2026: visa rules and required documents can change. Always confirm the latest requirements on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) website and your nearest Japanese embassy or consulate before spending money or making irreversible plans.

Can I Actually Move to Japan?

What “moving to Japan” really means

In practice, almost anyone can move to Japan if they can obtain a valid status of residence that matches what they plan to do (work, study, join family, etc.). MOFA also points out something people mix up constantly: a "visa" is related to entry, but your status of residence is shown on your landing permission and determines what you can do while you are in Japan. (mofa.go.jp)

Common long-term routes you will hear about include:

Work statuses (for example: Engineer or Specialist in Humanities or International Services, Instructor, Business Manager)
Student
Dependent or family-related
Spouse of a Japanese national
Working Holiday
Highly Skilled Professional (points-based route)

MOFA lists major long-term categories and examples here.

Moving to Japan with or without a degree

If you are aiming for a typical professional work status (office roles, IT, marketing, design, translation, and similar), the standard expectation is:

A relevant university degree, or
Significant relevant professional experience

A government-approved explainer aimed at international students describes the common "Engineer or Specialist in Humanities or International Services" category as generally expecting a related degree (or equivalent education), or roughly 10 years of relevant practical experience, with nuances depending on the role. (Study in Japan)

If you do not have a degree, the most realistic routes tend to be:

Working Holiday (if eligible by nationality and age)
Student visa, then job hunt and change status later
Specified Skilled Worker routes (industry-specific, with exams and language requirements) (Study in Japan)
Family or spouse routes (if applicable)

How long does it take to move to Japan?

Realistic planning windows:

Working Holiday: often 1 to 3 months if you are organised (varies by embassy processing and documents)
Student route: commonly 3 to 8+ months (school application, COE, visa, move)
Work visa route: often 3 to 12 months, depending on how quickly you land a job and how fast the company moves

The biggest variable is usually not Japan. It is how quickly you can secure a sponsor (employer or school) and produce correct documentation without playing “guess the missing form”.

Main Ways to Move to Japan (Choose Your Route)

Working in Japan (work status routes)

If you want to move long-term and earn a normal salary, this is the most common route: you generally need a job offer and a sponsoring employer.

MOFA's long-term visa list covers the main work-oriented categories, including the very common Engineer or Specialist in Humanities or International Services category, plus Instructor, Researcher, Business Manager, Intra-company Transferee, Skilled Labor, and others. (mofa.go.jp)

A useful way to think about work statuses:

Office and IT roles: engineer, programmer, marketing, sales, HR, finance, design, translation, and more (often under Engineer or Specialist in Humanities or International Services) (mofa.go.jp)
Education: certain school teaching roles (often under Instructor, depending on institution) (mofa.go.jp)
Research and academia: Professor, Researcher (mofa.go.jp)
Specialised industries: Skilled Labor, Specified Skilled Worker, and related categories (mofa.go.jp)
Points-based: Highly Skilled Professional (mofa.go.jp)

The key reality: for most work statuses, you do not move first and job hunt later. You usually get the offer first, then the company supports your paperwork.

Studying in Japan (student visas)

The student route is popular because it is structured: a school supports your immigration process, and you get time in-country to build Japanese skills and a network.

MOFA's student visa page lists typical baseline documents (passport, application, photo, and often a Certificate of Eligibility). It also explains what a COE is: presenting it helps the visa application and landing examination go smoothly, but it does not guarantee the visa will be issued. (mofa.go.jp)

COE in human terms: it is Japan immigration saying “your purpose has been pre-checked”.

Money requirements (not universal rules):

One language school example indicates proof of funds around ¥1,600,000+ via bank balance documentation as a reference point. (nihongo-career.com)
One university example recommends ¥2,000,000+ and notes COE issuance can take around two months in their process. (iCLA)

Always treat school numbers as school-specific, and confirm directly with your institution.

Working part-time as a student: you generally need permission, and the standard limit is up to 28 hours per week (with different allowances during long school holidays). There are also strict prohibitions on certain types of work. (Study in Japan)

Working Holiday visas

For the right person, Working Holiday is the best “try living in Japan” option because it is flexible and does not require a Japanese employer sponsor up front.

MOFA's Working Holiday programme page outlines the intent (holiday first, work as a supplement), common eligibility rules, and the widely used age band of 18 to 30 (with country-specific variations). (mofa.go.jp)

Common eligibility points (always confirm your country’s embassy page):

You must be from a participating country or region and usually apply while residing there
Age is generally 18 to 30, with some variations by country (mofa.go.jp)
You need funds for the initial period and a return ticket plan or equivalent funds (mofa.go.jp)
There are restrictions on certain types of work (MOFA explicitly warns about public-morals-related venues) (mofa.go.jp)

Moving to Japan through family or marriage

If you qualify, family-based routes can be the most stable long-term path.

MOFA’s long-term list includes categories such as:

Spouse or child of a Japanese national
Spouse of a permanent resident
Long-term resident
Dependent (family stay) (mofa.go.jp)

This guide will not deep-dive each one (it turns into a legal textbook fast), but it is worth knowing these exist because the work permissions can be very different from standard work statuses.

Step-by-Step: How to Move to Japan

Here is the process I would follow if I were doing it again, minus the part where I tried to open a bank account with the confidence of someone who had not yet met Japanese paperwork.

Step 1: Choose your route (work, study, Working Holiday, family)

Pick one primary route:

Work status (job offer plus sponsor)
Student status (school plus COE)
Working Holiday (if eligible)
Family or spouse route

Everything else depends on this choice.

Step 2: Check requirements for your nationality

This is where people go wrong by assuming their friend’s experience equals a rule.

Check MOFA’s visa pages
Then check your nearest Japanese embassy or consulate site for your country (required documents, appointment rules, processing windows)

Visa-free entry varies by nationality. MOFA's visa exemption page shows that many nationalities are commonly granted 90 days, but some are 15 or 30, and there are passport-type conditions for certain countries. (mofa.go.jp)

Step 3: Prepare your documents

Your exact list depends on route, but these are common:

Passport (valid, with enough time left)
Passport photos (Japan is very specific about sizes)
Degree certificate(s) and transcripts (often requested for work routes)
CV or resume (and sometimes a Japan-style resume later)
Proof of employment history (letters, contracts, payslips, if needed)
Proof of funds (bank statements, sponsor letters, etc.)
Tax documents or income verification (often requested for student sponsors)
Any translations or notarisation your embassy or school requires (varies)

For students, institutions often request financial support documentation as part of the COE process. (Temple Law)

Step 4: Secure a sponsor (job offer, school acceptance, or family basis)

Work route: job offer plus employer sponsorship
Student route: acceptance plus school support
Working Holiday: eligibility plus application materials
Family route: relationship status plus supporting documents

No sponsor, no long-term status. Simple, annoying, true.

Step 5: COE and visa application

For many long-term routes, you will deal with a Certificate of Eligibility (COE).

The COE is issued by Japanese immigration authorities and supports your visa application (mofa.go.jp)
After you receive the COE, you apply for the visa at a Japanese embassy or consulate (requirements vary by location) (mofa.go.jp)

Also worth remembering: a visa does not guarantee entry. Landing permission is granted at the port of entry if you meet requirements. (mofa.go.jp)

Step 6: Plan your budget (especially the first 2 to 3 months)

Think in two buckets.

A) Monthly living costs (rough ballparks)

Regional city: about ¥120,000 to ¥200,000 per month (single person, modest)
Tokyo and central areas: about ¥180,000 to ¥300,000 per month (single person, more realistic)

These are estimates, not promises. Rent alone can swing wildly depending on city, distance from stations, and whether you insist on living in the exact neighbourhood you saw on Instagram.

B) One-time landing costs (the part people underestimate)

Housing can require a large upfront payment. A Temple University Japan guide notes that initial payments through conventional realtors can average around six times your monthly rent, depending on deposit, key money, and fees. (Temple University, Japan Campus)

A simple savings target for many solo movers: ¥700,000 to ¥1,500,000+. Plan higher if you are arriving without a job, furnishing a place, or moving as a couple.

Step 7: First week in Japan checklist

Once you land, the admin begins. Do it early and your life gets easier.

In your first few days

Get settled and keep documents safe (passport, residence card if issued, COE copy)
Get a SIM or eSIM so you can receive calls and verification texts

After you move into a place (commonly within 14 days)

Register your address at the city or ward office (TIPS)
Sort health insurance if you are not enrolled through an employer. In many cases, this is handled through your municipality. (Nerima City)

Early essentials you will use constantly

Bank account: How to open a bank account in Japan as a foreigner
Proof-of-address paperwork (you will be asked for it constantly)
If you move later, make sure you update your address promptly. Municipal guidance commonly sets deadlines for reporting changes. (Temple University, Japan Campus)

Requirements to Move to Japan (Money, Degree, Language)

Do you need a degree to move to Japan?

Not always, but for the most common professional work status, a degree (or equivalent) is the standard path, with years of relevant experience acting as the alternative in many cases. (Study in Japan)

No degree? Focus on:

Working Holiday eligibility (mofa.go.jp)
Student route plus job hunt later (mofa.go.jp)
Industry-specific skilled routes (with tests and language requirements) (Study in Japan)
Family or spouse routes if applicable (mofa.go.jp)

How much money do you need to move to Japan?

Think in three layers:

Upfront housing costs: potentially around six times monthly rent through conventional rentals (Temple University, Japan Campus)
Setup costs: appliances, furniture, transport, SIM, basic supplies
Runway: ideally 2 to 3 months of living costs unless you are arriving into employer-provided housing

If you are on a student route, schools may expect proof of funds. Examples in school guidance range from around ¥1.6M+ to ¥2.0M+. (nihongo-career.com)

Do you need to speak Japanese?

You can survive in Japan with minimal Japanese in a handful of big-city bubbles. You cannot thrive long-term without it, unless your employer, partner, and social circle are prepared to act as your permanent translation layer (they will not).

A practical way to think about it:

English can be enough for: some international tech roles, some corporate environments, tourism-facing jobs, and big-city basics
Japanese becomes essential for: city hall nuance, most rentals, medical visits, most workplaces, and anything involving forms (so, most things)

Even if your job is English-heavy, Japanese reduces friction dramatically. Friction is what makes people quit.

How Much Does It Cost to Move to Japan?

Here is a realistic starter budget for a single person moving to a major city in 2026. Adjust up or down based on rent and lifestyle.

Example: “Tokyo area” initial budget (single person)

One-time or first month:

Flight: ¥80,000 to ¥200,000 (varies by country and season)
Temporary accommodation (1 to 3 weeks): ¥70,000 to ¥180,000
Apartment initial fees: often plan for 4 to 6 times rent as a rough assumption (Temple University, Japan Campus)
Basic setup (bedding, kitchen essentials, small furniture): ¥30,000 to ¥150,000
SIM plus setup: ¥3,000 to ¥10,000

Landing cost ballpark: ¥500,000 to ¥1,500,000+
Yes, that range is wide. Moving always is.

Example: monthly running costs (single person, modest)

Category	Typical monthly range
Rent	¥70,000 to ¥140,000+
Utilities plus internet	¥10,000 to ¥25,000
Food	¥30,000 to ¥60,000
Transport	¥8,000 to ¥20,000
Phone	¥2,000 to ¥6,000
Misc	¥10,000 to ¥30,000

Monthly ballpark: ¥130,000 to ¥270,000+
If you are thinking “I will live in central Tokyo on ¥120,000 per month,” that is not optimism. That is performance art.

Common Mistakes When Planning a Move to Japan

Underestimating move-in costs (deposit, key money, fees, furniture). The upfront rent multiplier catches people off guard. (Temple University, Japan Campus)
Assuming English will be enough everywhere, then burning out on admin and daily life
Not checking visa rules for your nationality (requirements and visa-free rules vary) (mofa.go.jp)
Treating a tourist or visa-free stay like a "trial move" and assuming you can switch to work later without planning
Leaving health insurance and pension as an afterthought, then scrambling when paperwork becomes urgent
Relying on part-time work to fund a student plan. Official guidance warns that part-time income typically will not cover everything, and there are strict rules and limits. (Study in Japan)

Moving to Japan From Your Country (Canada, UK, US, and more)

Nationality changes what is easy, what is available, and what paperwork is required, especially for Working Holiday and visa-free entry rules. (mofa.go.jp)

Start with these country-specific guides:

Moving to Japan from Canada
Moving to Japan from the UK
Moving to Japan from the US (guide coming soon)

For anything official, your most reliable sources remain MOFA and your nearest Japanese embassy or consulate. (mofa.go.jp)

FAQ: Quick Answers About Moving to Japan

How do I move to Japan with no degree?

Your most realistic options are: Working Holiday (if eligible) (mofa.go.jp), student route (study, improve Japanese, job hunt) (mofa.go.jp), Specified Skilled Worker paths in certain industries (tests and language required) (Study in Japan), or family or spouse routes if applicable. (mofa.go.jp)

Can I move to Japan permanently?

"Permanent" usually means progressing from a temporary status (work, spouse, etc.) to longer-term residence over time. Japan has statuses like Permanent Resident and spouse-related routes, but the path depends heavily on your situation and history. (Study in Japan)
Always confirm the current requirements with MOFA and your embassy or consulate. (mofa.go.jp)

Can I move to Japan without speaking Japanese?

You can move with limited Japanese if your route supports it (some jobs, some schools, some cities). But for long-term stability, Japanese is the difference between “I live here” and “I am permanently confused by paperwork.”

How much money do I realistically need to move to Japan?

A sensible target for many solo movers is ¥700,000 to ¥1,500,000+, largely because housing can require large upfront payments (often multiple months' worth). (Temple University, Japan Campus)
Students may also need to prove funds, with examples in school guidance around ¥1.6M to ¥2.0M+. (nihongo-career.com)

Can I work in Japan on a tourist visa (or visa-free entry)?

Generally, no. Visa-free or short-term stays are not for income-earning activities. (mofa.go.jp)

What is the easiest way to move to Japan?

If you qualify, Working Holiday is often the simplest first move because you do not need an employer sponsor up front, but eligibility depends on nationality and age. (mofa.go.jp)
For long-term stability, the “easiest” route is usually the one you already qualify for (work offer, school acceptance, spouse, etc.).

Is it possible to move to Japan in my 30s or 40s?

Yes, especially via work sponsorship, business, or family routes. The main limiter is rarely your age. It is whether your route (and resume) fits the requirements of your intended status of residence. (mofa.go.jp)

Can I switch from student to work status later?

That is a common plan, but it depends on your job offer and whether it fits a work-eligible status. Students must change to a status that permits work if they are taking a full-time job after studying. (Study in Japan)