Visa

What you'll learn in this guide Visa options for British citizens moving to Japan — including the Working Holiday Visa UK-specific tax considerations when living in Japan NHS vs Japanese healthcare: what changes when you move UK vs Japan cost of living comparison (2025 numbers) Step-by-step first 30 days guide for British expats What to do with your UK bank accounts, pension, and NI contributions Japan is one of the most popular destinations for British expats — and British citizens have a significant advantage: access to the Japan Working Holiday Visa, one of the easiest legal routes into the country. Here’s the complete picture for anyone moving from the UK to Japan in 2025. ...

What you'll learn in this guide Visa options for Americans moving to Japan What to do before leaving the US (checklist) First 30 days in Japan: what to do and in what order US vs Japan cost of living (real numbers for 2025) US taxes when living abroad — what Americans must know Banking, healthcare, and phone setup for Americans in Japan Moving to Japan from the US is one of the most significant quality-of-life moves an American can make. Low crime, excellent healthcare, world-class food, efficient public transit — and in 2025, with the yen weak against the dollar, the purchasing power of American salaries in Japan is remarkable. Here’s everything you need to know to make it happen. ...

Part-time work in Japan as a foreigner is legally possible on most visa types — but the rules on hours and job types depend on your specific visa status. Getting this wrong has serious immigration consequences. Here’s what you’re actually allowed to do and how to find work. Can You Work Part-Time? It depends on your visa. Visa Type Part-Time Work Allowed? Student visa Yes — up to 28 hours/week (資格外活動許可 required) Working Holiday Yes — no hour limit, some restrictions by industry Spouse/Dependent visa Yes — up to 28 hours/week Engineer/IT/Other work visa Only in your permitted field — check your status Tourist/Short-stay No Permanent Resident Yes — no restrictions Student visa holders must apply for shikaku-gai katsudo kyoka (資格外活動許可) at the immigration bureau. Without this, working is illegal even part-time. ...

Remote work and Japan have a complicated relationship — visa rules, tax implications, and cultural expectations around physical presence all create friction that most remote workers don’t anticipate. Here’s what you actually need to know before working remotely from Japan. The Core Question: What Visa Do You Need? This is where many people get confused. The answer depends on who pays you and where your employer is based. Situation Visa Required Working remotely for a Japanese company Standard work visa (Engineer, Humanities, etc.) Working remotely for a foreign company while in Japan Complicated — see below Freelancing with Japanese clients Business Manager visa or change of status needed Working Holiday + remote work for foreign employer Usually OK within WHV rules Working for a Foreign Employer from Japan This is the grey zone. Japan doesn’t yet have a dedicated “digital nomad visa” for this purpose. ...

Earning side income in Japan as a foreigner is possible — but your visa type determines what’s allowed, and going outside those limits has serious consequences. Know the rules before you start. Here’s a practical guide to legal side income for foreigners in Japan. First: Check Your Visa This is critical. Working outside your visa’s permitted activities can lead to deportation or visa revocation. Visa Type Side Work Allowed? Work visa (Engineer, Humanities, etc.) Only with 資格外活動許可 (Permission for Activities Outside Status) Highly Skilled Professional (HSP) ✅ Side work permitted without special permission Spouse visa / Dependent visa ✅ Work permitted (may need 資格外活動許可) Permanent Residency ✅ Fully unrestricted Student visa 28 hrs/week max with 資格外活動許可 Working Holiday ✅ Generally unrestricted How to Get 資格外活動許可 (Permission for Outside Activities) Apply at your local immigration office or online via the Immigration Bureau portal. Usually processed in 2–4 weeks. Allows up to 28 hours/week of side work. ...

Working in Japan while your company also operates in your home country? You might be paying pension contributions in two countries at once — money that’s largely wasted. Japan’s social security agreements (社会保障協定) fix this. Here’s what they cover and how to use them. What Is a Social Security Agreement? A social security agreement (also called a totalization agreement) is a bilateral treaty between Japan and another country that coordinates pension and social insurance systems. The goals: ...

The spouse/dependent visa is one of the most flexible in Japan’s immigration system — it allows work without employer sponsorship and is renewable as long as the sponsoring resident maintains their status. Getting the application right the first time matters. Here’s how it works. Two Main Family Visa Types 1. 家族滞在 (Kazoku Taizai) — Dependent Visa For family members of foreign nationals holding a work, student, or other qualifying visa in Japan. ...

A spouse visa in Japan grants significant flexibility — the right to live and work without a separate work visa. But the application requires solid documentation of your relationship, and immigration officers look carefully at the details. Here’s a complete guide to the spouse visa application. Types of Spouse Visas Visa Type For Spouse of Japanese National (日本人の配偶者等) Married to a Japanese citizen Spouse of Permanent Resident (永住者の配偶者等) Married to a PR holder in Japan Both visas allow you to: ...

Japan hires thousands of English teachers every year — and the demand shows no sign of slowing. But not all English teaching jobs are created equal, and signing the wrong contract is a year-long mistake. Here’s what you need to know before applying. Types of English Teaching Jobs Type Employer Students Salary Japanese Required JET Programme Government School-age ¥280,000–360,000/mo No ALT (dispatch) Dispatch companies School-age ¥200,000–280,000/mo No Eikaiwa Language schools All ages ¥220,000–280,000/mo No University Universities Adults ¥300,000–600,000/mo Some Private tutor Self-employed All ages ¥2,000–6,000/hour No Online (Japan-based) Online schools Overseas students Varies No The JET Programme — Best Entry-Level Option The Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme is a Japanese government program that places foreign graduates in schools and local government offices across Japan. ...

Japan allows visa-free entry for citizens of over 60 countries — which means most visitors arrive without knowing the rules on length of stay, extension, or what activities are prohibited. Here’s what you’re actually allowed to do on a tourist entry to Japan. Visa-Free Countries (Visa Waiver Program) Citizens of the following countries can enter Japan without a visa for tourism and short-term stays: 90-day stays: USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, UK, most EU countries, South Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong, and many others. ...