Essential Requirements and Preparations Before Considering Immigration to Japan

Hello everyone. I am Hiroaki Higuchi, Administrative Scrivener at Mirai Fuso Administrative Scrivener Office.

Recently, we have been receiving an increasing number of inquiries from people overseas saying "I want to immigrate to Japan," "I want to work in Japan," and "I want to start living in Japan." While I feel the high level of interest in immigrating to Japan, I also realize that there is a lack of realistic information about the actual procedures and necessary preparations.

To realize medium- to long-term stays in Japan, obtaining a status of residence is essential. However, unfortunately, a status of residence cannot be obtained with just the feeling of "wanting to live in Japan." Clear purposes, specific accepting organizations, and sufficient preparation are required.

This article aims to provide basic information about realistic preparation processes and necessary procedures for those who are considering immigration to Japan.

The Basics of Japanese Immigration: Status of Residence as the Starting Point

What is a Status of Residence?

To stay in Japan for more than three months, you must have a status of residence (visa). Unlike short-term stays for tourism (within 90 days), medium- to long-term stays involve strict screening and requirement verification.

The status of residence is determined by the purpose of activities - "why you want to stay in Japan." In other words, you first need to clarify "why you want to live in Japan" and "what you will do in Japan."

The Reality That Personal Desires Alone Are Not Sufficient

Personal desires such as "I like Japanese culture" or "I want to try living in Japan" are not recognized as reasons for obtaining a status of residence. You need to correspond to specific activities defined by the Japanese government (work, study, living with family, etc.) and have concrete accepting organizations or plans in place.

Main Status of Residence Options

When considering immigration to Japan, the following statuses of residence are generally options:

• Work-related statuses of residence: Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services, Specified Skilled Worker, Highly Skilled Professional, etc.

• Student: Stay for the purpose of studying at Japanese educational institutions

• Dependent/Spouse: Stay as a family member of a Japanese national or foreign resident

• Business Manager: Stay for the purpose of business management in Japan

Realistic Routes to Obtaining a Work Visa

Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services is Most Common

For foreign nationals working in Japan, the most commonly used status of residence is "Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services." The main types of work recognized under this status include:

• Technical positions such as engineers, programmers, and system administrators

• International services such as interpretation, translation, and language instruction

• Work utilizing humanities knowledge such as sales, planning, accounting, and human resources

Securing Employment is an Absolute Requirement

To obtain a work visa, you must first receive a job offer from a Japanese company. You cannot "go to Japan and then look for employment." While in your home country, you need to complete the following processes:

• Apply for and go through selection processes at Japanese companies

• Receive a job offer letter

• Sign an employment contract

• Prepare for the Certificate of Eligibility application

Need to Meet Educational and Work Experience Requirements

For the Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services status of residence, university graduation or higher education, or more than 10 years of practical experience is generally required. You need to prepare by translating your educational certificates and work experience certificates from your home country into Japanese and receiving appropriate authentication.

Compensation Level Requirements

You are required to receive compensation equal to or higher than that of Japanese people engaged in similar work. While it varies by region and industry, an annual income of 3 million yen or more is generally considered the standard.

Considering the Student Visa Option

Admission to Japanese Educational Institutions is a Prerequisite

To obtain a student visa, you need admission permission to Japanese universities, graduate schools, vocational schools, Japanese language schools, etc. You cannot apply based solely on desires such as "I want to learn Japanese" or "I want to study in Japan."

Admission Letter and Proof of Ability to Pay School Expenses

The following documents are required when applying for a student visa:

• Admission letter

• Certificate of financial capability for school expenses and living costs (usually proof of balance of 2 million yen or more)

• Study plan

• Academic transcripts and graduation certificates from final education

Understanding Part-time Job Restrictions

International students can work part-time within 28 hours per week if they obtain "Permission to Engage in Activity Other than that Permitted under the Status of Residence Previously Granted," but it is realistically difficult to cover living expenses with this alone. Sufficient financial preparation is necessary.

Realistic Preparation of Living Funds

Detailed Calculation of Initial Costs

Starting life in Japan requires the following initial costs:

Housing-related costs

• Security deposits and key money (generally 4-6 months' rent)

• Real estate agent fees (1 month's rent)

• Furniture and appliance purchases (200,000-500,000 yen)

• Utility deposits

Living necessities

• Living expenses for the time being (150,000-250,000 yen per month × 3-6 months)

• Mobile phone contract initial costs

• Minimum deposit required for bank account opening

• Public burdens such as health insurance premiums and resident taxes

Securing Continuous Income

For work visas, stable income through employment contracts is a prerequisite, but for study abroad, the following funding sources are necessary:

• Remittances from home country

• Limited part-time job income

• External funding such as scholarships

Specific Procedure Flow

Certificate of Eligibility Application

When coming to Japan from overseas, you must first obtain a "Certificate of Eligibility" in Japan and then convert it to a visa at the Japanese consulate in your home country.

Period from Application to Approval

• Certificate of Eligibility: Approximately 1-3 months

• Visa issuance at consulate: Approximately 1-2 weeks

• Total of approximately 3-4 months is generally required

Document Preparation Period

Obtaining and translating documents to be prepared in your home country (educational certificates, work experience certificates, financial certificates, etc.) also requires approximately 1-2 months.

Common Misconceptions and Reality

"I'll Manage Somehow Once I Get to Japan" is Dangerous

You cannot enter on a tourist visa, conduct job hunting activities, and then continue staying. If you continue staying without going through necessary procedures, you may become subject to forced deportation as an illegal resident.

Overconfidence That "It's Okay Even Without Japanese Language Skills"

While some positions do utilize English or Chinese, basic Japanese language ability is necessary for daily life and workplace communication. We strongly recommend learning basic Japanese before coming to Japan.

The Perception That "Procedures Are Simple"

Status of residence applications require many documents and detailed explanations. While it is possible for individuals to apply without specialized knowledge, consulting with specialists is also an important option to avoid the risk of rejection.

How to Create a Successful Immigration Plan

Gradual Approach

Instead of sudden immigration, we recommend gradual preparation as follows:

1. Information gathering period: Detailed research on Japan's labor market, educational system, and living environment

2. Skill improvement period: Japanese language learning and professional skill enhancement

3. Application period: Specific job hunting activities and school applications

4. Procedure period: Status of residence applications and entry preparations

5. Adaptation period: Establishing a living foundation after arrival in Japan

Importance of Risk Management

Backup plans are also important in case immigration plans don't proceed as intended:

• Response when status of residence is not approved

• Job change preparation when adaptation at the workplace is difficult

• Financial planning for economic hardship

Value of Cooperation with Specialists

Application Support by Administrative Scriveners

Status of residence applications are complex procedures requiring legal expertise. From preparing application documents to avoiding rejection risks, specialist support can increase success rates.

Comprehensive Consultation System

Building relationships with specialists who can consult on overall life planning in Japan, not just status of residence applications, is an important investment for long-term success.

Summary: Realistic Planning and Sufficient Preparation are Keys to Success

Immigration to Japan is indeed an achievable goal. However, it cannot be realized with just the feeling of "wanting to live in Japan." Realistic plans that satisfy all of the following elements are necessary:

Clear purposes for coming to Japan (work, study, family stay, etc.) and securing specific accepting organizations, meeting necessary requirements such as educational background, work experience, and Japanese language ability, sufficient financial preparation and securing continuous income sources, schedule management considering appropriate procedures and timeframes, and utilizing specialist support when necessary.

What's important is correctly recognizing the gap between ideals and reality and steadily proceeding with preparations. Rather than starting procedures with naive thinking, we recommend carefully executing plans after sufficient information gathering and preparation.

To succeed in the major life transition of immigrating to Japan, please start with realistic first steps. With appropriate preparation and correct procedures, you will surely be able to realize your ideal life in Japan.

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