Japan is a consistent leader in the Henley & Partners World Passport Index. Its holders can visit 192 countries without a visa or by obtaining a visa upon arrival.
Japan is one of the world leaders in terms of economic stability, high standard of living and security. That is why many potential immigrants yearn for the Land of the Rising Sun. But Japanese society is not eager to embrace everyone - the country has a very strict migration policy.
It is possible to obtain residence permit, permanent residency and citizenship in Japan.
Residence permit/permanent residence
Who will not be allowed to enter Japan:
There are categories of persons who will not only fail to be granted a residence permit in the country, but will not even be allowed to cross the state border:
● terrorists and drug dealers,
● persons with diseases dangerous for others (AIDS, tuberculosis, etc.);
● persons who violated the visa regime of Japan or were deported at any time from the country;
● foreign citizens with outstanding criminal records or those who are wanted.
Who can receive residence permit and permanent residency:
In Japan, highly qualified specialists are welcome, especially those with unique skills and solid work experience. Good knowledge of English will be an additional advantage. If a potential resident also knows Japanese, and even more business Japanese, his/her chances increase many times over.
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1) Residence permit for specialists
Residence permit can be obtained by a foreign specialist who has entered into a long-term employment contract with one of the Japanese companies. The employer is responsible for the registration of the residence permit. First, a foreigner receives a residence permit for one year, then it can be extended for another 2 years, after which he can apply for a permanent residency.
Special conditions are provided to specialists who head large international companies and top-level managers. With the permission of the Japanese government, such specialists can immediately receive a permanent residency.
2) Residence permit for family reunification
Residence permit can be obtained by foreign citizens whose closest relatives live in Japan and have been its legal citizens for at least 5 years. Parents, siblings or grandparents who invite their relative to Japan must not have a criminal record and earn enough money to support the new arrivals. According to the family reunification program, a residence permit is issued for 1 year, after which it can be extended for 2 years. After 3 years of residence in Japan, you can apply for a permanent residency.
3) Residence permit for opening a company
A foreign investor can open a company in Japan and obtain a residence permit for 1 year (then extend it, and after 3 years obtain a permanent residency).
The main requirements: the controlling stake must be owned by a Japanese citizen, and the authorized capital must be in a Japanese bank.
4) Residence permit through marriage with a Japanese
In this case, the foreign husband/wife receives a residence permit for 1 year, then - 2 years of permanent residency, after which they can submit documents for citizenship. It is worth paying attention to the fact that possible fictitious marriages are monitored very carefully in Japan. If such deception is discovered, there is a chance of deportation or prison time.
5) Residence permit for students
For the entire period of study in Japanese universities, foreign students obtain a residence permit. After receiving a diploma, a new specialist can think about employment and obtaining a permanent residency in Japan.
6) Residence permit for refugees
After receiving refugee status, a foreigner automatically receives a residence permit. After 3 years, you can apply for permanent residency. It is worth noting that Japan has a strict policy on refugees, so very few of them are accepted in the country.
7) Residence permit for prominent figures
Japan grants residence permits to foreigners who have achieved unique achievements. These are world-renowned scientists, writers, artists, etc., as well as foreign athletes who defend the honor of Japan in the sports arena.
Buying a home or real estate in Japan does not entitle you to a residence permit, but it can be an advantage when applying to the immigration service.
Necessary documents:
● application for receiving a residence permit;
● international passport;
● national passport;
● permission to enter the country;
● a medical certificate on the absence of dangerous diseases;
● a bank statement about the balance of the account or a signed employment contract with a Japanese company;
● confirmation of housing lease or purchase;
● 4 color photos.
This is the main package of documents. Depending on the type of residence permit, additional documents may be required:
● documents on entering into/dissolving a marriage;
● documents on the birth of children;
● proof of family ties;
● diplomas confirming qualifications.
Ways of acquiring Japanese citizenship
Japanese legislation provides for several ways of acquiring citizenship:
● By birthright. A newborn born on Japanese soil automatically becomes a citizen, regardless of whether his parents are married or not. If the child was born outside the country, but one of the parents is a Japanese citizen, then citizenship can and must be issued no later than three months after birth. Also, a child whose parents cannot be identified will become a Japanese citizen.
● Through naturalization or through a smooth long-term immersion in Japanese life. This method is available to migrants who live in the country without leaving its borders for five years or more and have a stable income. Also, knowledge of the Japanese language and proof of registration at the place of residence in Japan will be required. In order to obtain Japanese citizenship, a foreigner must reach the age of majority in his home country and be at least 20 years old. It is important to demonstrate a benevolent attitude towards the country, its rules and culture.
● Reunion with relatives. At the same time, it will not work to move to Japan with a great-grandmother or a second cousin: it is important that the kinship is close (children, parents, spouse).
● Marriage registration. Immediately after marriage, a migrant receives a residence permit, and only after 5 years of married life in Japan he/she can apply for citizenship. If the couple gets divorced during this period, the migrant automatically loses the right to acquire citizenship and is deported from the country.
● Investments. To get a Japanese passport, giving money to local authorities for economic development is not enough. It is important to invest at least 50,000 dollars in starting your business in Japan, you will have to constantly maintain your investment volume. Also, a businessman must constantly develop production, and create jobs for Japanese people.
● Training. To become a student at one of the Japanese educational institutions, a young person must obtain a student visa (it is issued for a period of 3 months to 4 years). After graduation, it is possible to obtain citizenship, provided that the young person wishes to work in a Japanese company.
● Work. Highly qualified specialists: engineers, programmers, doctors have the preferential right to receive such a visa. After 5 years of residence in the country on a work visa, a migrant gets the opportunity to obtain a Japanese passport.
● Refugee status. The Japanese are restrained in issuing passports to migrants who have suffered persecution in their homeland: on average, no more than 30 people can use this opportunity per year.
Conditions for granting Japanese citizenship
So, there is a basis for obtaining a Japanese passport. But this is not enough: each candidate must meet certain requirements set by the country's authorities. Among these are:
● the applicant must be over 20 years old (the exception is minor children who acquire citizenship together with their parents);
● the migrant must have lived in the country for at least 3-5 years (this term depends on the reason for obtaining it), and during each year he/she must stay in Japan for 292 days or more;
● the candidate's official permanent salary must be at least $2,000 per month;
● confident command of the Japanese language (it is necessary not only to speak but also to write Japanese competently);
● renunciation of citizenship of the native state;
● absence of offenses and illegal actions against the Japanese government and its citizens.
List of documents for acquiring citizenship
The Japanese are very meticulous, so they take paperwork as seriously as possible. Do not forget about this feature of them and approach the preparation of documents especially carefully. The standard set includes:
● application form (to be filled out in Japanese);
● valid international passport;
● two photos measuring 4.5 * 4.5 cm;
● current residence permit;
● original birth certificate;
● documents confirming income and financial capacity: income certificate, bank account statement;
● a medical certificate stating that the migrant does not suffer from socially dangerous diseases and an insurance policy;
● a certificate of successful completion of the Japanese language proficiency exam.
A representative of the Japanese migration service may consider this package incomplete and ask the candidate for additional documents, for example, documents on marital status, employment contract, etc.
The procedure for obtaining citizenship:
● Submission of documents to the Ministry of Justice.
● Passing interviews with a representative of the ministry (one or two interviews). At the same time, the option that the candidate visits the departments on his own is not mandatory. Often, the employee himself comes to the migrant's home or work to talk with his colleagues or neighbors and make sure of the applicant's reliability.
● After that, the migrant has to be patient and wait for the Japanese authorities to make a decision.
