Japan Long stay visa requirements
Japan has no retirement visa: the closest is the long stay status for sightseeing and recreation, up to one year for people with 30 million yen in savings.
What the law asks for, what the government charges, and how the application runs. Checked against Japan's official sources on Oct 8, 2026.
- Savings
- ¥30,000,000 (about $189,600) bank savings of the applicant and spouse combined, at the time of application; 60 million yen if the spouse also applies for this status in their own right. Designated Activities Notice; Immigration Services Agency. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
- Residency
- Stay of up to one year Designated Activities Notice; Immigration Services Agency. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
- Government fees
- Free Certificate of Eligibility. Immigration Services Agency. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
- Minimum age
- 18 Designated Activities Notice; Immigration Services Agency. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
Who qualifies for the Long stay visa
Japan has no retirement visa and no visa based on a pension. The closest is a Designated Activities status for people aged 18 or over who stay up to one year for sightseeing, recreation and similar activities, open only to citizens of listed visa-exempt countries with savings of at least 30 million yen and private medical insurance. It does not lead to longer residence.
Only citizens of the countries and regions listed in the notice can apply, among them the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, most EU countries, Switzerland, Norway, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina and Chile. China, India, the Philippines and Vietnam are not on the list.
Holders of this status and their accompanying spouses are excluded from National Health Insurance by ordinance, so private insurance pays for all care in Japan.
The status covers sightseeing, recreation and similar activities for a stay of no more than one year; it is not a work or residence permit.
Immigration fees rose on 1 October 2026: an extension or change of status now costs 10,000 to 75,000 yen depending on the period granted, against 6,000 yen before.
Long stay visa documents
Every residence permit
- Japanese translation of every document written in a foreign language; certificates issued in Japan must be under 3 months old
Immigration Services Agency. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
This visa
- Application form for a Certificate of Eligibility and one photo meeting the set format
- Plan of your activities during the stay, unless the application form already describes it in detail
- Bank records in your name (and your spouse's) showing the current balance and every deposit and withdrawal for the past 6 months, such as copies of passbooks up to the last transaction; if you cannot show 6 months, a written reason and records of how the savings were built up
- Certificate and policy terms of private medical insurance covering death, injury and illness in Japan for the whole planned stay
- For an accompanying spouse: a copy of the main applicant's residence card or passport and a marriage certificate
Immigration Services Agency. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
Long stay visa fees
| Certificate of Eligibility | ¥0 (about $0) |
| Extension of stay in Japan, permit of over 3 months up to 6 months (paid in revenue stamps, from 1 October 2026) | ¥18,000 (about $110) |
| Extension of stay in Japan, permit of over 6 months and under 1 year | ¥25,000 (about $160) |
Immigration Services Agency. Checked Oct 8, 2026. Lawyer and agency fees are not set by law; ask for a fixed written quote.
How the application runs
- Check you qualifyYou must be 18 or over, hold a passport of one of the visa-exempt countries listed in the notice, and have savings of at least 30 million yen with your spouse at the time you apply.
- Buy private medical insuranceTake out private insurance covering death, injury and illness in Japan for the whole planned stay. Japan's National Health Insurance does not take holders of this status.
- Apply for a Certificate of EligibilityFile the application, bank records for the past 6 months and insurance documents with a regional immigration services bureau in Japan, in person or through someone allowed to file for you. The certificate is free.
- Get the visa and enter JapanWith the certificate, apply for the visa at a Japanese embassy or consulate and enter Japan with the Designated Activities status.
- Extend within the year if neededApply to the immigration office for your area before your permitted stay ends, with proof that you can pay for the stay and insurance for the extra period. From 1 October 2026 the fee is 18,000 yen for up to 6 months; the total stay cannot pass one year.
Spouses and children
A spouse can come as an accompanying spouse if they also hold a passport of a listed country and have private medical insurance; the 30 million yen is the couple's combined savings. If both apply for the status in their own right, the couple needs 60 million yen. The status has no category for children.
Designated Activities Notice; Immigration Services Agency. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
Other ways to live in Japan
Business Manager status of residence
For people who run or manage a business in Japan. Since 16 October 2025 the business needs assets of at least 30 million yen, including capital, an office in Japan and at least one full-time employee living in Japan; someone full-time in the business must speak advanced Japanese, and the applicant needs a relevant master's or doctorate or 3 years of management experience. Permits run 3 months to 5 years and can be renewed.
Immigration Services Agency; Business Manager criteria. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
Spouse or Child of Japanese National
For the husband or wife, or the child, of a Japanese national. Permits are for 6 months, 1, 3 or 5 years and can be renewed.
Immigration Services Agency. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
Designated Activities (digital nomad)
For remote workers from listed countries earning at least 10 million yen a year personally, with medical insurance covering at least 10 million yen of treatment. The stay is 6 months and cannot be extended; you can return on the same status after 6 months outside Japan. A spouse and children can come along.
Immigration Services Agency. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
Long stay visa questions
Does Japan have a retirement visa?
No. The closest is the long stay status for sightseeing and recreation: up to one year for people aged 18 or over from listed countries, with at least 30 million yen in savings with their spouse and private medical insurance.
How long can a 65-year-old American retiree stay in Japan?
Up to one year on the long stay status, if you and your spouse have at least 30 million yen in savings and private medical insurance; the United States is on the list of eligible countries. Longer stays need another status, such as Business Manager or spouse of a Japanese national.
How much money do you need to retire in Japan?
The long stay status asks for savings of at least 30 million yen, counting the applicant and spouse together, or 60 million yen if both apply in their own right. There is no income or pension route.
