Moving to Japan: every visa & residency route in 2026
There are 3 ways to move to Japan legally as of 2026 — spanning digital nomad, investment and retirement routes. Here's every one, what it actually requires, and where it leads.
All 3 routes checked against official government sources · July 2026 · how we verify
Every route, side by side
| Route | Type | Requirement | Leads to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Digital Nomad Visa | Digital nomad | $5,350/mo income | Temporary residency |
| Business Manager Visa | Investment | $50,000 investment | Citizenship in ~10 yrs |
| Designated Activities Visa (Retiree) | Retirement | $2,500/mo income | Temporary residency |
Digital nomad route to Japan
Compare digital nomad visas across every country →
$5,350/mo income
Driven by a $5,350/mo income bar and annual renewal.
High bar: ~¥10M/yr (~$64,000). Only 6 months and non-renewable (leave and wait 6 months to reapply). A short-stay option, not a residency track.
Official source →Retirement route to Japan
Compare retirement & passive-income visas across every country →
$2,500/mo income
Driven by $250,000 of committed capital and a $2,500/mo income bar.
Not a formal retirement visa — Japan uses Designated Activities status for retirees in select regions. Requires ¥30M+ in assets and stable pension/annuity income. Limited availability; consult the local immigration bureau. Renewable annually.
Official source →Investment route to Japan
Compare golden visas & residency-by-investment programs across every country →
$50,000 investment
Driven by $50,000 of committed capital and annual renewal.
JPY 6,000 revenue stamp, payable only if the status is granted (JPY 5,500 applying online). The Certificate of Eligibility a new overseas applicant files first is free; the 1-3 month range below is that step. Converted at ~150 JPY/USD. Fee source (checked 2026-08) →
Requires ¥5M+ capital investment and a registered Japanese business with office space and at least 2 full-time employees (or equivalent). Initial 1-year visa, renewable to 3 or 5 years. PR possible after 10 years continuous residence.
Official source →Next steps: the money side
Set up your finances before and after you move.
Planning a move to Japan?
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Information only, not legal advice — we never file anything with any government. Requirements change; verify with the official source or a licensed immigration advisor before you apply.
Moving to Japan: FAQ
How many ways are there to move to Japan?
This dataset tracks 3 residency or visa routes into Japan as of 2026, across digital nomad, investment, retirement pathways. Each has its own income, investment, or heritage requirement.
Does Japan have a digital nomad visa?
Yes — the Digital Nomad Visa lets remote workers live in Japan. It requires about $5,350/month in income. High bar: ~¥10M/yr (~$64,000). Only 6 months and non-renewable (leave and wait 6 months to reapply). A short-stay option, not a residency track.
What's the lowest-income way to get residency in Japan?
The most accessible income-based route is the Designated Activities Visa (Retiree) at roughly $2,500/month. Requirements reset annually and move with exchange rates, so confirm the current figure with the official source before you apply.
Does moving to Japan lead to a second passport?
Yes — at least one route to Japan has a defined path to citizenship. The exact timeline and physical-presence rules vary by program; check each route's official source below.
Japan, compared
Visas, cost, and healthcare side by side with the alternatives people weigh.