Destination guide

Moving to Japan

The skilled-migration routes to Japan, how welcoming it is to immigrants, and where to start, all from public and official sources.

How welcoming is Japan?

Three bars from public data, shown as ranges with their source and year. We never show fake precision.

Policy & rightshigh · MIPEX 2020 2020

44–50 / 100 · How the law treats immigrants (MIPEX)

Expat welcomemedium · InterNations Expat Insider 2024 2024

26–44 / 100 · How welcomed newcomers feel (InterNations)

Integration outcomesmedium · OECD Settling In 2023 2023

73–81 / 100 · Employment & integration (OECD)

Visa & immigration routes

Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services visa (Gijinkoku, 技術・人文知識・国際業務)

Work / Career · roadmap available

Official →

Student Visa ("Ryugaku" Status of Residence) via Certificate of Eligibility

Study · roadmap available

Official →

Business Manager Visa (経営・管理 / Keiei-Kanri), with the Startup Visa as a preparatory route

Start a business / Invest · roadmap available

Official →

Japan Digital Nomad Visa (Designated Activities, Notification No. 53)

Digital nomad / Remote · roadmap available

Official →

Tolerance data is from public sources (MIPEX, InterNations Expat Insider, OECD), shown with year and confidence. Route details link to the official Japan government portals. This is general information to help you plan, not legal advice. For case-specific guidance, consult a licensed immigration professional.

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