--- title: "Moving to Japan 2026: visas, requirements and tax" url: https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/ lang: en updated: 2026-10-12 --- Mount Fuji at sunset, reflected in a still lake # Moving to Japan 23 ways to move to Japan in our guide: 1 talent scheme, 1 working holiday visa, 1 nomad / remote-work visa, 1 pay-to-stay route, 2 business / startup routes, 14 work visas, 1 student visa, 2 spouse visas. Remote workers: [Digital nomad visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/designated-activities-digital-nomad/), ¥10M+ a year ≈ $63k. Smallest investment: [Business Manager](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/business-manager/), ¥30M+ ≈ $189k. Tax for newcomers: [Non-permanent resident foreign-source income treatment](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/tax/), Remittance basis. Checked against official sources on 12 October 2026. **Nomad visa: income needed:** **¥10M+ a year ≈ $63k** Digital nomad visa **Smallest investment needed:** **¥30M+ ≈ $189k** Business Manager **Longest first stay:** **5 years** Business Manager **Tax angle:** **Remittance basis** Non-permanent resident foreign-source income treatment Japan offers a wide range of residence routes, from working holidays and digital nomad stays to professional work, business management and highly skilled statuses. Visas and tax are separate. Graduates of top-ranked universities who want to job-hunt or prepare a business Remote workers employed by a foreign company or serving foreign clients Young nationals of partner countries wanting a working holiday Professionals with a Japanese employer in engineering, humanities or international services Entrepreneurs and managers setting up or running a business in Japan ## Top options in Japan · 1 Talent schemes ### [J-Find](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/j-find/) **First stay:** 2 yrs [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/j-find/) ## Working holiday · 1 ### [Working Holiday](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/working-holiday/) **Age limit and funds needed:** Ages and funds vary by passport Casual jobs OK [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/working-holiday/) ## Nomad / Remote work · 1 ### [Digital nomad visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/designated-activities-digital-nomad/) **Income needed:** ¥10M+ a year ≈ $63k Stay 6 mo Remote work only Needs health cover [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/designated-activities-digital-nomad/) ## Retire or live on savings · 1 ### [Long-stay visitor (JPY 30M)](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/designated-activities-long-stay/) **Savings needed:** ¥30M+ ≈ $189k Stay 1 yr Can work: limited Needs health cover [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/designated-activities-long-stay/) ## Business / Startup · 2 ### [Business Manager](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/business-manager/) **Investment needed:** ¥30M+ ≈ $189k Stay 5 yrs, renewable Can work: limited [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/business-manager/) ### [Startup visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/startup-designated-activities/) **Investment needed:** ¥30M+ ≈ $189k Stay 2 yrs Can work: limited [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/startup-designated-activities/) ## Work · 14 - [J-Skip **Income needed:** from ¥20M a year ≈ $126k](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/j-skip/) - [Skill Development work visa **First stay:** 3 yrs](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/employment-for-skill-development/) - [Engineer/Specialist visa **First stay:** 5 yrs](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/engineer-specialist/) - [Highly Skilled Professional **First stay:** 5 yrs](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/highly-skilled-professional/) - [Instructor visa **First stay:** 5 yrs](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/instructor/) - [Intra-company transfer **First stay:** 5 yrs](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/intra-company-transferee/) - [Legal/Accounting visa **First stay:** 5 yrs](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/legal-accounting/) - [Medical Services visa **First stay:** 5 yrs](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/medical-services/) - [Nursing Care visa **First stay:** 5 yrs](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/nursing-care/) - [Professor visa **First stay:** 5 yrs](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/professor/) - [Researcher visa **First stay:** 5 yrs](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/researcher/) - [Skilled Labor visa **First stay:** 5 yrs](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/skilled-labor/) - [Specified Skilled Worker 1 **First stay:** 3 yrs](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/specified-skilled-worker-1/) - [Specified Skilled Worker 2 **First stay:** 3 yrs](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/specified-skilled-worker-2/) ## Student · 1 ### [Student visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/student/) **First stay:** 4 yrs 3 mo Can work: limited [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/student/) ## Spouse visas · 2 For people married to, or in a partnership with, a citizen or permanent resident. ### [Spouse of a citizen](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/spouse-of-citizen/) **First stay:** 5 yrs Can work: yes [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/spouse-of-citizen/) ### [Spouse of a permanent resident](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/spouse-of-permanent-resident/) **First stay:** 5 yrs Can work: yes [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/spouse-of-permanent-resident/) ## Tax Residency is based on facts, not visa type. National income tax is progressive, with a reconstruction surtax applying to returns for a set period. Special regime ### [Non-permanent resident foreign-source income treatment](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/tax/#tax-jp-non-permanent-resident-remittance-basis) Tax relief Foreign-source income: Remittance basis **Details** - Who: Resident: domicile or continuous residence in Japan for one year or more Non-permanent residents are taxed in Japan on Japan-source income and on foreign-source income paid in or remitted to Japan; foreign-source income paid and kept abroad is outside the Japanese tax base. #### Taxed on Income tax on all Japan-source income plus foreign-source income that is paid in Japan or remitted to Japan from abroad, at the progressive national rates of 5% to 45%. #### Who it applies to - Resident: domicile or continuous residence in Japan for one year or more. - Non-Japanese nationality. - Domicile or residence in Japan for an aggregate of five years or less within the preceding ten years. #### Exclusions - Japan-source income, including pay for work performed in Japan, is taxed in full. - Residents who are not non-permanent residents are taxed on worldwide income. #### Tax residence Resident = domicile, or continuous residence of one year or more. Non-permanent resident = non-Japanese national resident for an aggregate of five years or less in the preceding ten years. Based on facts, not visa type. #### Visas No visa grants this treatment; it follows tax residence and nationality. #### Other taxes Consumption tax: standard rate 10% (7.8% national plus 2.2% local) and reduced rate 8% (6.24% national plus 1.76% local). Local inhabitant tax and social insurance are separate. Checked against official sources on 10 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/) [Full page →](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/tax/) Standard rules ### [Japan income tax: national progressive scale, reconstruction surtax and inhabitant tax](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/tax/#tax-jp-income-tax-rates-2026) Progressive rates **Details** - On: Taxable income after deductions, taxed in progressive bands - Who: Applies to residents - Limit: ¥1.9M/yr ≈ $12k National income tax is progressive in seven bands: 5% up to JPY 1,949,000 (≈ $12,300) of taxable income, 10% to JPY 3,299,000, (≈ $20,800) 20% to JPY 6,949,000, (≈ $43,800) 23% to JPY 8,999,000, (≈ $56,800) 33% to JPY 17,999,000, (≈ $114,000) 40% to JPY 39,999,000 (≈ $252,000) and 45% from JPY 40,000,000 (≈ $252,000). Residents other than non-permanent residents are taxed on worldwide income, including foreign-source income; non-permanent residents are taxed on Japan-source income and on foreign-source income paid in or remitted to Japan. A 2.1% reconstruction surtax on the base income tax and a 10% inhabitant tax come on top. #### Taxed on Taxable income after deductions, taxed in progressive bands (separate-taxation items excluded); inhabitant tax is assessed on the previous year's income. #### Who it applies to - Applies to residents; non-permanent residents are taxed on Japan-source and remitted foreign-source income. #### Exclusions - Income taxed under separate-taxation rules is outside the progressive scale. - For 2025 onward, where base income exceeds JPY 330 million (≈ $2,080,000), an extra amount is added when 22.5% of the excess is higher than the ordinary income tax and reconstruction surtax. #### Limits - JPY 1,949,000 a year (≈ $12,300) · Upper limit of the 5% national band (taxable income from JPY 1,000 (≈ $6)); quick-table deduction JPY 0. - JPY 3,299,000 a year (≈ $20,800) · Upper limit of the 10% band (from JPY 1,950,000 (≈ $12,300)); quick-table deduction JPY 97,500 (≈ $610). - JPY 6,949,000 a year (≈ $43,800) · Upper limit of the 20% band (from JPY 3,300,000 (≈ $20,800)); quick-table deduction JPY 427,500 (≈ $2,700). - JPY 8,999,000 a year (≈ $56,800) · Upper limit of the 23% band (from JPY 6,950,000 (≈ $43,800)); quick-table deduction JPY 636,000 (≈ $4,010). - JPY 17,999,000 a year (≈ $114,000) · Upper limit of the 33% band (from JPY 9,000,000 (≈ $56,800)); quick-table deduction JPY 1,536,000 (≈ $9,690). - JPY 39,999,000 a year (≈ $252,000) · Upper limit of the 40% band (from JPY 18,000,000 (≈ $114,000)); quick-table deduction JPY 2,796,000 (≈ $17,600). - JPY 40,000,000 a year (≈ $252,000) · The 45% band applies from this taxable income; quick-table deduction JPY 4,796,000 (≈ $30,300). #### Tax residence Resident individuals are domiciled in Japan or have continuous residence of 1 year or more. #### Visas Tax treatment follows residence status for tax, not visa type. #### Other taxes Reconstruction special income tax is 2.1% of the base income tax, filed and paid with income tax; for income arising from 1 January 2027 the reconstruction rate falls to 1.1% and a 1% defence special income tax is withheld alongside. Individual inhabitant tax is 10% of taxable income (4% prefectural plus 6% municipal at standard rates; local governments may set different rates), charged on the previous year's income to persons domiciled in Japan on 1 January, plus per-capita amounts of JPY 1,000 (≈ $6) prefectural and JPY 3,000 (≈ $19) municipal. Checked against official sources on 11 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/) [Full page →](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/tax/) Checked against official sources on 11 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/) **Path to permanent residence · 1** - **PR** · Permanent Resident (永住者) ## Arriving in Japan: first steps 1. Arrange private medical insurance where your route requires it, covering death, injury and illness for the stay. 2. Secure an address and register your residence at the local municipal office. 3. Open a bank account once you have your residence card and address. 4. Keep your stay schedule and savings evidence if your route requires them. ## Questions people ask ### What special talent visas does Japan have? Japan has 1 talent scheme. [J-Find](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/j-find/) gives a first stay of 2 years. ### Does Japan have a working holiday visa? Yes. Japan has 1 working holiday visa. [Working Holiday](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/working-holiday/) gives a first stay of 1 year. ### What is the Japan digital nomad visa income requirement in 2026? Japan has 1 nomad or remote-work visa. [Digital nomad visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/designated-activities-digital-nomad/) asks for an income of at least JPY 10,000,000 a year (≈ $63,100) and gives a first stay of 6 months. ### Can I retire or live in Japan on my savings or pension? Japan has 1 retirement or pay-to-stay route. [Long-stay visitor (JPY 30M)](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/designated-activities-long-stay/) asks for savings of at least JPY 30,000,000 (≈ $189,000) and gives a first stay of 1 year. ### Can I move to Japan by starting a business? Japan has 2 business or startup routes. [Business Manager](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/business-manager/) asks for an investment of at least JPY 30,000,000 (≈ $189,000) and gives a first stay of 5 years that can be renewed. [Startup visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/startup-designated-activities/) asks for an investment of at least JPY 30,000,000 (≈ $189,000) and gives a first stay of 2 years. ### What work visas does Japan offer foreigners? Japan has 14 work visas. [Skill Development work visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/employment-for-skill-development/) gives a first stay of 3 years. [Engineer/Specialist visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/engineer-specialist/) gives a first stay of 5 years that can be renewed. [Highly Skilled Professional](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/highly-skilled-professional/) gives a first stay of 5 years that can be renewed. ### How do I get a student visa for Japan? Japan has 1 student visa. [Student visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/student/) gives a first stay of 4.3 years that can be renewed. ### Can I join my spouse or partner in Japan? Yes. Japan has 2 spouse visas. [Spouse of a citizen](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/spouse-of-citizen/) gives a first stay of 5 years that can be renewed. [Spouse of a permanent resident](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/spouse-of-permanent-resident/) gives a first stay of 5 years that can be renewed. ### Does Japan have a special tax regime for new residents? Yes: [Non-permanent resident foreign-source income treatment](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/tax/). Non-permanent residents are taxed in Japan on Japan-source income and on foreign-source income paid in or remitted to Japan; foreign-source income paid and kept abroad is outside the Japanese tax base. It is separate from the visa and has its own conditions. ## Compare with [🇹🇭 Thailand](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/thailand/) [🇮🇩 Indonesia](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/indonesia/) [🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-arab-emirates/) [🇸🇬 Singapore](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/singapore/) [🇲🇾 Malaysia](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/malaysia/) [🇻🇳 Vietnam](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/vietnam/) [🇰🇷 South Korea](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/south-korea/) [🇹🇼 Taiwan](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/taiwan/) ≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated.