Your questions about moving to Japan

Start with your reason for moving: study, work, joining family, remote work or running a business. Then check which status of residence (在留資格) covers that activity and whether you meet its requirements.

Build a budget for housing, the first few months and any tuition fees. Ask your school, employer or family sponsor about the documents you need; many applications begin with a Certificate of Eligibility (COE). Once your plans are confirmed, organise your first weeks in Japan, including address registration and health insurance. My Japan Plan helps you turn these preparations into a checklist.

Checked on 25 October 2026

Usually, yes. With a valid passport and residence card, you can use the free special re-entry permission (みなし再入国許可) if you return within one year and before your permitted stay expires. At departure, show both documents and indicate that you intend to return on the re-entry departure card.

For a longer absence, apply for a regular re-entry permit before leaving Japan. It can be valid for up to five years, within your permitted stay. The standard counter fee is ¥4,000 for a single-entry permit or ¥7,000 for multiple entries. Confirm the procedure before departure; leaving without the appropriate re-entry permission can end your residence status.

Checked on 25 October 2026Effective from 1 April 2025

Once you have a suitable job offer, apply to change your status of residence before your current stay expires. A common category is Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services; approval depends on your duties, qualifications and employer.

Prepare your passport, residence card, application form, photo, employment contract and graduation certificate, plus the documents required for your employer's category. The standard processing period is one to two months. For applications received from 1 October 2026, counter fees range from ¥10,000 to ¥75,000 according to the period granted; check the official fee table for online rates. If you graduate without a job, you may qualify for Designated Activities status to continue job hunting.

Checked on 25 October 2026Effective from 1 October 2026

First, apply to a school that can accept students under Student status. Your school usually applies in Japan for your Certificate of Eligibility (COE, 在留資格認定証明書), using your admission and financial documents. COE applications are free, with a standard processing period of one to three months.

Once you receive the COE, apply for a student visa at the Japanese embassy or consulate responsible for your application. You will normally need your passport, visa form, photo and COE, plus any locally required documents. After entering Japan, register your address within 14 days of establishing your residence.

Checked on 25 October 2026

Japan's Immigration Services Agency gives a standard processing period of one to three months for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE). Your school, employer or sponsor usually applies in Japan on your behalf. Busy periods and requests for extra documents can make it take longer.

Allow time for the rest of the process too: school admission or recruitment, preparing documents, receiving the COE and applying for your visa. For language-school entry, yuzu.help's guide suggests allowing roughly five to six months for the whole process. Follow your school's application calendar and avoid booking around an assumed approval date.

Checked on 25 October 2026

Japan offers working holiday visas only to nationals of countries and regions with a bilateral arrangement. Türkiye is not on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' list, so Turkish citizens cannot apply through this programme.

For eligible nationalities, the usual age range is 18–30, although some arrangements set a lower limit. The main purpose must be a holiday; work helps fund the trip. Age limits, quotas, residence requirements and repeat participation vary by country. Check the Japanese embassy or consulate responsible for your nationality before making plans.

Checked on 25 October 2026Effective from 1 April 2026

Yes. Some universities and graduate schools in Japan offer degrees taught entirely in English. Their language and admission requirements vary, so check the programme you want to apply to.

Japanese language schools are another option, but beginner courses still require some prior Japanese. For entry from October 2026, immigration requires evidence of at least CEFR A1-level Japanese through a test certificate or an interview; a record of 150 study hours alone is no longer enough. Ask the school which evidence it accepts. Japanese-taught university and vocational programmes require a higher level of Japanese.

Checked on 25 October 2026

Choose a Japanese language school to develop your Japanese, a university for an academic degree, or a vocational college for practical training in a specific field.

Language schools usually have April and October intakes, and study is normally limited to two years. Universities offer undergraduate and graduate degrees; some programmes are taught in English. Vocational colleges, called senmon gakkō (専門学校), generally teach in Japanese and offer diploma courses lasting at least two years.

Study in Japan lists approximate first-year fees of ¥820,000 at national universities, ¥1.2–1.7 million at private universities and ¥1.3 million at vocational colleges. Language-school fees start at roughly ¥610,000 a year. Add living expenses to every option.

Checked on 25 October 2026

Start with the Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship and JASSO's Honors Scholarship, then check your university and local scholarship providers. Both national programmes are competitive.

MEXT has several categories and can cover tuition, airfare and a monthly allowance. Its FY2027 guidelines list ¥117,000 a month for undergraduates and ¥143,000–145,000 for research and graduate students. Applications usually go through a Japanese embassy or a university recommendation.

JASSO's Honors Scholarship pays ¥48,000 a month at university level or ¥30,000 at Japanese language institutes for six or twelve months. Your school nominates you; you cannot apply directly. Check deadlines and eligibility before including a scholarship in your budget.

Checked on 25 October 2026

There is no single JLPT level that every school or employer accepts. N2 is a common target for Japanese-taught study and office work, while some programmes and roles ask for N1. The JLPT has five levels, from N5 to N1.

Check the exact programme requirements: universities may ask for JLPT and EJU results, while vocational colleges accept several forms of Japanese-language evidence. Some immigration applications for jobs mainly involving language skills also require evidence equivalent to CEFR B2; JLPT N2 or above can satisfy the Japanese-language requirement. A JLPT certificate does not test speaking or writing, so interviews may assess those skills separately.

Checked on 25 October 2026Effective from 15 April 2026

Start with job listings, company recruitment pages and career fairs that match your skills and Japanese level. Prepare a Japanese-style CV, called a rirekisho (履歴書), when the employer requests one; international employers may accept your usual CV.

If you study in Japan, use your school's careers office and JASSO's Job Hunting Guide to plan around the graduate recruitment calendar. Hello Work and the Employment Service Centres for Foreigners also offer support. If you need a work status of residence, check that the role and your qualifications meet its requirements. Your employer supplies the company documents for the application.

Checked on 25 October 2026

Yes, if you have permission to work outside your Student status, called 資格外活動許可 (shikakugai katsudō kyoka). Standard permission allows up to 28 hours a week across all jobs combined. During your school's official long holidays, the limit is eight hours a day.

Eligible students can apply at the airport on their first entry to Japan; otherwise, apply at a regional immigration office. The application is free. Wait for permission before starting work, and check the conditions recorded on your residence card. Work at premises covered by the prohibited entertainment-business categories, including 風俗営業, is excluded even if your own duties are cleaning or kitchen work.

Checked on 25 October 2026

You can apply to run a business in Japan, but investing money alone does not give you residence rights. The usual route is Business Manager status (経営・管理).

For new applications from 16 October 2025, the requirements include at least ¥30 million in capital or investment, an eligible full-time employee, a relevant postgraduate degree or three years of management experience, and Japanese ability equivalent to B2 from you or a full-time employee. A qualified professional must also check the business plan.

The Startup Visa programme may allow up to two years to prepare a business with support from a METI-certified organisation. It has its own eligibility conditions, so check the participating organisation's requirements before committing funds.

Checked on 25 October 2026Effective from 16 October 2025

Japan's digital nomad status may let you work remotely for an overseas employer or clients for up to six months. It is a Designated Activities status with specific nationality, income and insurance requirements.

You need your own annual income of at least ¥10 million and private medical insurance with at least ¥10 million in cover for injury and illness. Your nationality must be on the eligible-country list. The stay cannot be extended, no residence card is issued, and you cannot join National Health Insurance through this status. Check the official conditions for your work and any accompanying spouse or children before applying.

Checked on 25 October 2026

For one person, yuzu.help's 2026 cost model suggests roughly ¥510,000–¥1.3 million for moving to Japan and covering the first three months. The amount depends on your city, housing and lifestyle. Tuition is extra.

The model estimates one-time costs of ¥225,000–¥285,000 for a share-house room or ¥435,000–¥670,000 for a private studio. These include rental fees, basic furniture, flights, visa paperwork and initial SIM and transport costs. Monthly living costs are around ¥106,000–¥142,000 for a student in a share house or ¥175,000–¥228,000 for a worker in a studio. Sapporo and Fukuoka are at the lower end of the model; Tokyo is at the higher end. Use the budget calculator to adjust the figures to your plans.

Checked on 25 October 2026

Register your address first, then check a bank's account-opening requirements for foreign residents. You will usually need your residence card with your current address, identification and a Japanese phone number. Students may also need a student ID.

Some banks, including Japan Post Bank (ゆうちょ銀行), accept applications from recent arrivals, but restrictions depend on your remaining stay, employment and residence classification under foreign-exchange rules. Account approval is not automatic. Check the bank's current notice about residence cards issued from 14 June 2026, as some online application systems do not yet accept the new cards.

Checked on 25 October 2026

Compare how many yen the recipient will receive after all fees. The cheapest option depends on the amount, currencies, payment method and provider; a low transfer fee can be offset by a less favourable exchange rate. Get a current quote from your bank and the transfer services available to you.

For tuition, follow the school's payment instructions, including the required yen amount, reference and account name. If the instructions use katakana, copy the name exactly as supplied. Allow for any receiving-bank charges. Keep enough accessible money for your first days in Japan while you arrange a local account.

Checked on 25 October 2026

For a private apartment in Japan, initial rental fees often total four to six months' rent. Ask for an itemised estimate before signing.

At ¥70,000 monthly rent, a four-to-six-month estimate is ¥280,000–¥420,000. Flights, furniture and initial phone and transport costs are separate. Share houses and dormitories often have lower upfront fees, but check the full contract. Common charges include:

• A deposit, shikikin (敷金), part of which may be returned after deductions
• Key money, reikin (礼金), a non-refundable payment to the landlord
• Agency and guarantor-company fees
• Fire insurance, lock replacement and the first rent payment

Checked on 25 October 2026

Compare your total budget, the course you want and your daily commute. Tokyo offers many schools and jobs, but rent is generally higher: JASSO's 2023 student survey reported average monthly rent of ¥57,000 in Tokyo and ¥41,000 nationwide. Osaka, Kyoto, Nagoya, Fukuoka and Sapporo have lower costs in yuzu.help's model.

Use the city and neighbourhood comparisons to narrow your search. Then ask schools about tuition, entry requirements, intake dates and refund terms. If you need Student status, confirm that the school can accept students under that status. yuzu.help does not yet have a verified school directory, so contact shortlisted schools directly.

Checked on 25 October 2026

Most private rentals ask for a guarantor or require you to use a guarantor company. Prepare your residence card, proof of income or savings, a Japanese phone number and an emergency contact. Students may be asked for proof of enrolment.

Guarantor companies usually screen your application and charge an initial fee, often 50–100% of one month's rent, plus ongoing or renewal fees. Budget for the other move-in charges too. If this is difficult, compare share houses, school dormitories and UR housing. UR does not require a guarantor, but income or savings conditions still apply.

Checked on 25 October 2026

Your spouse and children may be able to join you under Dependent status (家族滞在), depending on your own status and your ability to support them. Student and several work statuses qualify; Specified Skilled Worker (i) does not. Family members need their own applications.

For children, contact your municipal board of education about public elementary or junior high school enrolment. Foreign children can attend these schools without tuition fees, though other school expenses may apply. International schools charge fees. MEXT publishes multilingual school-enrolment guidance; a Turkish version is not currently listed.

Checked on 25 October 2026

Mid- to long-term residents must register their address within 14 days of establishing a residence in Japan. The deadline starts when you settle at that address, not automatically on the day you land.

File a moving-in notification (転入届, tennyū todoke) at your city or ward office. Bring your residence card and passport; if your passport says the card will be issued later, bring that passport. At the same visit, ask about health insurance and pension registration if you are not covered through an employer. Your My Number notification follows address registration; applying for the physical My Number card is a separate step.

Checked on 25 October 2026

For internet access on arrival, a travel eSIM or prepaid data SIM is often the quickest option. If you also need a Japanese phone number for calls and text messages, choose a voice plan and check the provider's identity-verification requirements.

Depending on the provider, you may need a residence card with your current address, a passport, a payment card or Japanese bank account. Some services accept overseas cards and offer airport pickup. Compare the monthly fee, activation charge, data allowance, call costs and cancellation terms. Check that your phone is unlocked and supports the SIM or eSIM you choose.

Checked on 25 October 2026Effective from 1 April 2026

For an emergency in Japan, call 110 for the police or 119 for an ambulance or fire service. For problems that are not emergencies, the Help hub has guides for a lost residence card, housing or banking difficulties, a lost phone or wallet, approaching immigration deadlines and finding medical help.

For residence procedures, contact the Immigration Information Center on 0570-013904, weekdays 8:30–17:15. FRESC in Tokyo also brings together immigration, employment and legal consultation services. If your residence card is lost or stolen, report it to the police, keep the report details and apply for a replacement at immigration within 14 days of discovering the loss.

Checked on 25 October 2026

Prepare your entry documents, first accommodation, access to money and a way to get online. Keep your passport, visa, COE and school or employment documents in your hand luggage, with backup copies.

Some medicines need advance permission even in small quantities. Check the health ministry's instructions before packing, rather than assuming a prescription from home is enough.

• Confirm whether your accommodation can be used for address registration.
• Arrange cover for any gap before Japanese health insurance begins.
• Check your cards work abroad and bring money for initial expenses.
• Check Japan's medicine import rules for every medicine you carry.
• Plan your airport transfer and phone connection.

Checked on 25 October 2026

Keep your residence card with you if you are 16 or older, follow your municipality's rubbish calendar and check whether a signature is accepted before buying a hanko.

Residence-card holders must carry the card and show it when an authorised officer asks; a passport does not replace it. For rubbish, your municipality sets the sorting categories, collection days, bags and put-out times. Get the local calendar when you register your address. A personal seal, commonly called a hanko (はんこ), is still used for some contracts and registrations, but many banks and employers accept signatures. Ask the organisation which form it needs.

Checked on 25 October 2026

Most residents of Japan must join a public health insurance scheme. Employees who qualify for workplace coverage are enrolled through their employer. Eligible residents without that coverage, including many students and self-employed people, enrol in National Health Insurance (国民健康保険) through their municipality.

Ask about enrolment when you register your address; the usual deadline is 14 days after becoming eligible. National Health Insurance premiums depend on your municipality, household and previous year's income. Many working-age members pay 30% of covered medical costs at the clinic, with the scheme covering the rest. Age, income and the treatment itself can affect what you pay.

Checked on 25 October 2026

Keep your voice low on public transport, follow queues and pay attention to local signs. Put your phone on silent and avoid calls on trains. In crowded spaces, keep bags close so they do not block other people.

On escalators, stand still and hold the handrail; follow the operator's safety instructions rather than leaving a side for walking. Carry a small bag for rubbish when bins are not available. Tipping is generally unnecessary. At home, check your building's quiet hours and rubbish rules, especially before using noisy appliances late at night. If you are unsure what to do, a polite question is usually the best starting point.

Checked on 25 October 2026

Residents of Japan aged 20–59 generally need public pension coverage, including students. Employees with workplace coverage are enrolled through their employer; eligible people without it register for the National Pension (国民年金) at their municipal office.

Students at eligible schools can apply for the Student Special Payment System to postpone premiums if their own income meets the conditions. Approval is not automatic, and you must apply each fiscal year. Approved months count towards the qualifying period but do not increase the pension amount unless you pay them later. Back-payments are normally possible within ten years. Check your school's eligibility and the current income threshold with the Japan Pension Service.

Checked on 25 October 2026