Japan — Long-Term Stay (Wealthy Individual / High Net Worth — Sightseeing & Recreation)

Key requirements

The JPY 30 million figure is a published savings test, not “any net worth on paper.” MOFA asks for bankbook-style evidence and current balance plus six months of movement history. Insurance must meet the stated medical benefit levels.

• Minimum income (model)Not set in data
• SavingsOften ~$200,000+
• Accepted income typesSavings only
• Remote work allowedNo
• Local employment allowedNo
• Health insuranceUsually required
• Criminal record checkUsually required
• Accommodation proofUsually required
• Bank accountUsually required
• Processing (rough)Often roughly 1–3 months (Certificate of Eligibility + visa; varies by mission)

Many applicants use a Certificate of Eligibility obtained via a proxy in Japan before consular visa application, but missions differ on appointment logistics—mirror your competent post’s live instructions.

1. 1

   Confirm visa-waiver nationality and age rules

   Verify your passport state appears on Japan’s visa exemption list for this specified-visa category and that you meet the 18+ requirement (and spouse rules if filing jointly).

2. 2

   Compile JPY 30M+ liquid savings dossier

   Prepare bank documents showing balances and six months of transaction history in the format MOFA lists; translate or annotate as your bank requires.

   • •If a spouse accompanies, read MOFA’s combined-savings language carefully; separate travel triggers higher published thresholds.
3. 3

   Purchase compliant private medical travel insurance

   Secure insurance that meets MOFA’s death/injury/illness coverage wording and keep certificates ready for both visa and landing.

4. 4

   Draft schedule of stay and housing evidence

   Line up a credible travel/residence plan with bookings or leases consistent with sightseeing/recreation—not a stealth office setup.

5. 5

   Apply for Certificate of Eligibility (regional immigration)

   File COE materials through ISA channels, often with a qualified proxy in Japan if you are not yet resident.

6. 6

   Submit specified visa application at Japanese mission

   Present COE (original or copy per instructions), application form, photos, and any lawful-residence proof if applying outside your nationality state.

7. 7

   Enter Japan and complete residence registration

   After landing permission, register address at municipal office, receive residence card, and enrol in National Health Insurance where applicable.

8. 8

   Plan six-month extension before expiry

   If you seek the maximum roughly one-year horizon, apply for extension of period of stay at a regional immigration bureau before the initial six months lapse, with updated finances and insurance.

9. 9

   Stay inside permitted non-work activities

   Avoid informal paid gigs, local employer tests, or marketing yourself as working in Japan while on this leisure status.

10. 10

    If you need longer stays, redesign on a proper work/investor track

    Consult immigration counsel on switching to categories that explicitly allow employment or business management before this designated-activities period ends.

This pathway is informational, not legal advice. MOFA checklists, insurance wording, savings definitions, and extension practice can change—verify all requirements in English on mofa.go.jp and moj.go.jp/isa before filing.

Pathway last reviewed: 2026-04-30

Citizenship & nationality

MOFA publishes this as a specified visa for nationals of visa-waiver countries/regions who meet the savings, insurance, itinerary, and age conditions. If you are not from a waiver country, assume you are outside the published scheme unless ISA confirms a different channel.

• •Liquid savings threshold is stated in yen on MOFA’s page; convert to your currency only as a planning anchor and keep evidence of six months of deposit/withdrawal history as the checklist describes.
• •Accompanying spouse rules are detailed separately on MOFA (including higher combined savings if spouses will not travel together). Dependent children are not covered as accompanying family under the published spouse notes—confirm current wording.
• •This status is for sightseeing/recreation in Japan—not remote work for a foreign employer and not local employment. Conflating activities can create serious compliance problems.
• •Initial stay is commonly six months with a possible in-country extension toward a one-year outer bound; treat timelines as shorter than “digital nomad” marketing implies for long-term life planning.

Read MOFA’s English “Long Stay for sightseeing and recreation” page and the Immigration Services Agency (ISA) Certificate of Eligibility guidance before you move money or book non-refundable housing.

Best for

• •People planning longer stays and clearer residency footprints

Long-term path

• Permanent residence: No
• Citizenship: No

This route is capped around one year of authorised stay in the published structure—not a stepping-stone to permanent residence by itself. Long-term PR in Japan normally requires years in work-type or other qualifying statuses.

Practical difficulty

medium

Indicative only — depends on documents, timing, and policy updates.

Medium reflects very high liquidity requirements but relatively clear documentary targets compared with discretionary entrepreneur adjudication.