Do you need a visa to move to Japan?

Question:

I'm planning on moving to Japan some time in the future and I was just wondering if I actually need to get a visa, weather working or travel, or something else. I'm not quite sure on how I'm actually going to do this. I've heard from some people that if you arrive in Japan without a visa they direct you to turn back immediately.

Answer:

You can go to Japan without a visa, depending on what country you're from, but must return within the amount of time agreed upon between Japan and your home country.

If you want to stay longer than that, you need a visa (legally).

You could get a visa for working, to be a student, or because you're the spouse of a Japanese permanent resident.

How do you get a visa? Generally, you would have to be offered a job, then that company would sponsor your visa. You could find the job while overseas, or you could find the job while within your vacation window of time (maybe 90 days, depending where you're from).

Not all companies will sponsor your visa, but a lot will. If the company doesn't, then you'll have to get married or find some other way of staying in the country legally. Some people do "visa runs". Let's say you're allowed to stay in Japan 90 days at a time. Before the 90 days run out, you go to South Korea for a weekend. When you get back to Japan, your 90 days is refreshed. I wouldn't recommend that way though, but some people apparently do that. Legally, you're allowed in the country that way, but your employment would actually be illegal as you don't have a working visa, you're just a foreigner on vacation.

No, you wouldn't be sent back immediately upon arrival in Japan without a visa. Again, most people don't need a visa to just be there on vacation. However, if you don't have a ticket that proves you're just on vacation, then you could be asked to return where you came from. The authorities would have no reason to believe you're just there for a holiday if you've come over on a one-way ticket.

The "moving" thing could be tricky. If you already line up a job and a visa, then great. But how would you "move" if you don't have a job yet? I'm assuming you'll have stuff to send to Japan if you're "moving", even if just a minimal amount. You have to declare that you've got goods being sent to Japan for your own use, even if they don't come on the plane with you.

My advice would be to find a job before you go. Spend some time searching for jobs. You'll likely need at least a bachelor degree for a company to hire and sponsor you, particularly from overseas.

If you don't have that, then you can still find work in Japan, but you'd probably have to go over in person and look for a job that will sponsor your visa. You'll have to be able to support yourself during your job search - accommodation, food, etc.