Residents from some 71 countries already have visa-free access to Japan. A small number of the countries on this list restrict the visit to only 15 days (Indonesia and Thailand), or only 30 days (Brunei, United Arab Emirates and Qatar), but the others are all 90 days. Please validate your country's status carefully because these rules change often. For citizens of the many countries that permit 90 day stays, this is the perfect option for the Student package. The most current list can be found here.

Citizens from these countries are also eligible to apply for a "digital nomad" visa, which allows for a stay of up to 6 months, while working remotely for a foreign company. As of now, unfortunately, this visa cannot be extended, but we believe that visa requirements will continue to loosen in the coming years as they have in the last few years. This visa is perfect for the Nomad package, as otherwise, the visitor will have to leave and come back for successive 3 month visits. This visa generally requires proof of income of around $65,000 USD per year, and trip insurance with coverage up to the same amount.

There is also a "startup visa" that facilitates foreign entrepreneurs in establishing businesses in Japan. This is also only 6 months initially, but can be extended and can lead up to a "business manager visa" which is one of the most direct and reliable pathways to permanent residence in Japan. This is the best visa for those with serious intentions of moving to Japan by starting a business, and is what we recommend for the Gold package. This visa requires the submission of a detailed business plan that must be reviewed by the municipality where it will be formed, and then reviewed by Japan's immigration services. If your startup is not yet at this state, it may be better to start with a digital nomad visa.

Of course, people's specific circumstances apply, and we will do our best to help guide you to the appropriate visa. If you are interested in one of our cultural visit packages and would like assistance, please contact us directly.

Otherwise, citizens of most countries can apply directly for their visas online here at the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). We hope you find the following video helpful, as it explains the process visually.