Country topic
Visas in Japan
Canada's travel advice says Canadians do not need a tourist visa for stays of up to 90 days, and that business, work and student travel requires a visa. It says working without the proper visa is illegal and can bring imprisonment, a fine or deportation, and that you must carry your passport or residence card at all times. [V1] The US Embassy says U.S. citizens entering visa-free or with a tourist visa are not allowed to work in Japan, and that anyone staying longer than 90 days with an appropriate visa must register an address with the municipal office and obtain a residence card. [V2]
What we found
The research, with its sources.
Research information, not advice. Rules change, so check the source before you act on one.
- Canada's travel advice says Canadians do not need a tourist visa for stays of up to 90 days, and that business, work and student travel requires a visa. It says working without the proper visa is illegal and can bring imprisonment, a fine or deportation, and that you must carry your passport or residence card at all times. [V1]
- The US Embassy says U.S. citizens entering visa-free or with a tourist visa are not allowed to work in Japan, and that anyone staying longer than 90 days with an appropriate visa must register an address with the municipal office and obtain a residence card. [V2]
- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs list of 74 visa-exempt countries and regions includes the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, none with a footnote. The period granted at landing is 90 days for most countries on the list. Note 8 gives a stay of up to six months, with an extension to apply for after 90 days, to Austria, Germany, Ireland, Liechtenstein, Mexico, Switzerland and the United Kingdom; the four are not among them. [V12]
- The Immigration Services Agency's Designated Activities status for digital nomads covers remote work for a foreign employer, or services or goods sold to people abroad. The stay is six months with no extension, after which you must wait six months to apply again; no residence card is issued, and employment with a Japanese organisation is not allowed. The Agency's nationality chart lists Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States. [V3] [V13]
- The digital nomad status asks for annual income of at least ¥10 million at the time of application and private medical travel insurance with at least ¥10 million of treatment cover. To be safe on income, have more than ¥11 million a year (about US$69,700 at 157.87 yen to the dollar, the Bank of Japan's 17:00 rate on 15 October 2026). [V3] [V4]
- A Designated Activities long stay for sightseeing, recreation and similar activities lasts up to one year, and the Agency's page describes savings and six months of account history plus private medical insurance without stating the amount. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says the stay is six months, up to one year if extended, with savings of more than ¥30 million held by you and your spouse and a bankbook showing six months of deposits and withdrawals. To be safe, have more than ¥31 million (about US$196,400). [V5] [V6] [V4]
- The Agency's list of 28 statuses of residence (professor, highly skilled professional, business manager, student, family stay, designated activities, permanent resident and others) has no status for retirees or people living on a pension. [V7]
- Highly-skilled professionals are those with 70 points or more for academic background, career, income and similar factors. They are granted the maximum five-year stay. Permanent residence normally needs 10 years in Japan, reduced to 3 years for 70 points or more and 1 year for 80 points or more. [V8]
- Dependent spouses and children of a highly-skilled professional can accompany them, and a spouse who wants to work can be admitted to do so. Dependents get no shortened period for permanent residence; only the professional does. [V8]
- A 2019 Agency leaflet says Specified Skilled Worker (i) is renewed every year, six months or four months, for up to five years in total. Skills and Japanese are confirmed by exams, and accompanying family is basically not permitted. The Agency's hub page names construction and shipbuilding among the industry fields. [V9] [V10]
- The guidebook says that on a new landing permission you file a moving-in notification with your municipal office within 14 days of settling at an address. It also says people staying three months or longer must join National Health Insurance unless an exception applies, such as Temporary Visitor status. [V11]
The Fernshore Index
How the Index grades visas, by passport.
Each grade is against a published measure, with its source and the date we checked it. It is research information, not advice. Where we have no figure, the row says Unknown.
Visa, United States passport
Unknown
Research for United States passports is being checked
Visa, Canada passport
Unknown
Research for Canada passports is being checked
Visa, Australia passport
Unknown
Research for Australia passports is being checked
Visa, New Zealand passport
Unknown
Research for New Zealand passports is being checked
The country
More on Japan.
Topics
More about Japan.
Questions about Visas in Japan.
How long can I stay in Japan without a visa, and can I work?
Up to 90 days: the Ministry of Foreign Affairs lists the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand among 74 visa-exempt places, with 90 days granted at landing. The US Embassy says visa-free visitors cannot work and longer stays need a visa; Canada says work and student stays need one. Ask a consulate about your plans.
Is there a remote-work or digital nomad visa in Japan?
The Agency's Designated Activities status for digital nomads allows six months, no extension, no residence card, then a six-month wait to reapply. It asks for a yearly income; to be safe, have more than ¥11 million (about US$69,700), plus medical insurance with ¥10 million of cover.
What long-stay route is there for someone not working?
No retirement status exists in the Agency's list of 28. A Designated Activities long stay for sightseeing and recreation lasts up to a year with no work. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs sets a savings test; to be safe, have more than ¥31 million (about US$196,400).
What work routes does Japan have for skilled people?
Highly-skilled professionals need 70 points and get a five-year stay; permanent residence can come after 3 years at 70 points or 1 year at 80, against 10 years normally. Specified Skilled Workers pass skills and Japanese exams and stay up to five years in total. Both are tied to work in Japan.
What do I have to do after arriving on a longer stay?
The US Embassy says that with an appropriate visa for over 90 days you register your address at the municipal office and get a residence card. The guidebook says to file a moving-in notification within 14 days. Whether the nomad status, which issues no card, triggers these steps is unknown here.
Sources
Where each figure comes from.
Every figure on this page links to the page we read, with the date we checked it.
- [V1] Japan: travel advice and advisories (entry and exit requirements), Government of Canada (travel.gc.ca). Checked 16 October 2026.
- [V2] Visas to Japan for U.S. Citizens, U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Japan. Checked 16 October 2026.
- [V12] Visa exemption: reciprocal arrangements with 74 countries and regions (page dated 1 September 2025), Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (Internet Archive copy captured 5 October 2026). Checked 16 October 2026.
- [V3] Status of Residence "Designated Activities" (for Digital Nomad / Spouse or child of Digital Nomad), Immigration Services Agency of Japan. Checked 16 October 2026.
- [V13] Digital nomad status: nationalities covered (chart), Immigration Services Agency of Japan. Checked 16 October 2026.
- [V4] Foreign Exchange Rates, 15 October 2026, Bank of Japan. Checked 16 October 2026.
- [V5] Status of Residence "Designated Activities" (long-term stay for sightseeing, recreation and similar, and accompanying spouse) (page in Japanese), Immigration Services Agency of Japan. Checked 16 October 2026.
- [V6] Specified visa: Designated activities (Long Stay for sightseeing and recreation) (page dated 17 March 2023), Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (Internet Archive copy captured 24 August 2026). Checked 16 October 2026.
- [V7] Finding a status of residence by activity (page in Japanese), Immigration Services Agency of Japan. Checked 16 October 2026.
- [V8] FAQ on the points-based preferential treatment for highly-skilled foreign professionals (as of April 2026), Immigration Services Agency of Japan. Checked 16 October 2026.
- [V9] New Foreign National Acceptance System: Specified Skilled Worker (leaflet, 2019), Immigration Services Agency of Japan. Checked 16 October 2026.
- [V10] Specified Skilled Worker (hub page, in Japanese), Immigration Services Agency of Japan. Checked 16 October 2026.
- [V11] Guidebook on Living and Working, 7th edition (March 2025), Immigration Services Agency of Japan. Checked 16 October 2026.