Japan Immigration
Immigration to Japan
Acquisition of Japanese citizenship
How to move to Japan from Ukraine?
In Japan, you can get a residence permit, permanent residence and citizenship.
Residence permit in Japan
Who will not be allowed to enter Japan:
There are categories of persons who will not only not be granted a residence permit in the country, but will not even be allowed to cross the state border:
- terrorists and drug traffickers;
- persons with diseases dangerous to others (AIDS, tuberculosis, etc.)
- persons who have violated Japan's visa regime or have ever been deported from the country;
- foreign nationals with a criminal record or those who are wanted.
Who can obtain a residence permit in Japan?
Highly qualified specialists are welcome in Japan, especially those with unique skills and solid work experience. A good knowledge of English will be an additional advantage. If a potential resident also knows Japanese, and even more so business Japanese, his or her chances increase many times over.
1) Residence permit for specialists
A residence permit can be obtained by a foreign specialist who has entered into a long-term employment contract with a Japanese company. The employer is responsible for obtaining a residence permit. Initially, a foreigner receives a residence permit for one year, then it can be extended for another 2 years, after which he or she can apply for permanent residence.
Special conditions are provided to specialists who head large international companies and top managers. With the permission of the Japanese government, such specialists can immediately obtain permanent residence.
2) Residence permit for family reunification
The residence permit can be obtained by foreign nationals whose immediate relatives have been living in Japan for at least 5 years and have been legal citizens of Japan. Parents, siblings, or grandparents who invited their relatives to Japan must not have a criminal record and earn enough money to support the newcomers. Under the family restoration program, a residence permit is issued for 1 year, after which it can be extended for 2 years. After 3 years of residence in Japan, you can apply for permanent residence.
3) Residence permit for opening a company
A foreign investor can open a company in Japan and obtain a residence permit for 1 year (then extend it, and after 3 years obtain permanent residence).
The main requirements are that the controlling stake must be held by a Japanese citizen, and the authorized capital must be held in a Japanese bank.
4) Residence permit by marriage with a Japanese spouse
In this case, a foreign spouse receives a residence permit for 1 year, then 2 years of permanent residence, after which they can apply for citizenship. It is worth paying attention to the fact that Japan is very closely monitoring possible fictitious marriages. If such a deception is discovered, there is a chance of deportation or imprisonment.
5) Residence permit for students
Foreign students receive a residence permit for the entire period of study in Japanese universities. After receiving a diploma, a new specialist can think about employment and permanent residence in Japan.
6) Residence permit for refugees
After receiving refugee status, a foreigner automatically receives a residence permit. After 3 years, you can apply for permanent residence. It is worth noting that Japan has a strict policy towards refugees, so very few of them are accepted in the country.
7) Residence permit for prominent figures
Japan grants permanent residence to foreigners who have made unique achievements. We are talking about world-famous scientists, writers, artists, etc., as well as foreign athletes who defend the honor of Japan in the sports arena.
Purchasing a home or real estate in Japan does not entitle you to a residence permit, but it can be an advantage when applying to the immigration service.
💡 Tip: To ensure a successful trip or move to a new country, take advantage of expert advice. Our qualified specialists with a legal education will help you prepare for obtaining a residence permit in another country and avoid unpleasant situations during your stay abroad.
What documents are required to obtain a residence permit in Japan?
- application for a residence permit;
- international passport
- internal passport;
- entry permit to the country;
- medical certificate confirming the absence of dangerous diseases;
- bank statement of account balance or signed employment contract with a Japanese company;
- proof of rental or purchase of housing;
- 4 color photos.
This is the main package of documents. Depending on the type of residence permit, additional documents may be required:
- marriage and divorce certificates;
- documents on the birth of children;
- proof of kinship;
- diplomas confirming qualifications.
💡 Visit Ukraine's advice for Ukrainians traveling abroad
Planning a long trip or relocation can be a daunting task. Where to start? What is the first step to getting a visa or residence permit? It's easy to get lost in the beginning - especially if you've never done anything like this before.
That's why we recommend using Visit World's guides - detailed step-by-step travel guides that provide basic advice on how to get a visa, permanent or temporary residence permit, and much more. For more information, please follow the link.
How can Ukrainians obtain Japanese citizenship?
Japanese law provides for several ways to acquire citizenship:
1. By birthright. A newborn born on Japanese soil automatically becomes a citizen, regardless of whether his or her parents are married or not. If the child was born outside the country, but one of the parents is a Japanese citizen, citizenship can and should be obtained no later than three months after birth. A child whose parents cannot be identified will also become a Japanese citizen.
2. Through naturalization or through a smooth long-term immersion in Japanese life. This method is available to migrants who have been living in the country for five years or more and have a stable income. You will also need knowledge of the Japanese language and proof of residence in Japan. To obtain Japanese citizenship, a foreigner must be of legal age in his or her home country and at least 20 years old. It is important to demonstrate a friendly attitude towards the country, its customs and culture by your behavior.
3. Reunification with relatives. It is not possible to move to Japan to live with a great-aunt or cousin: it is important that the relationship is close (children, parents, spouses).
4. Marriage registration. Immediately after marriage, a migrant receives a residence permit and only after 5 years of married life in Japan can he or she apply for citizenship. If the spouses divorce during this period, the migrant automatically loses the right to acquire citizenship and is deported from the country.
5. Investments. To obtain a Japanese passport, it is not enough to give money to local authorities for economic development. It is important to invest at least $50,000 in starting a business in Japan, and you will have to constantly maintain the amount of investment. Also, a businessman must constantly develop production and create jobs for the Japanese.
6. Education. To become a student of one of the Japanese educational institutions, a young person must obtain a student visa (it is issued for a period of 3 months to 4 years). After graduation, citizenship is possible, provided that the person wishes to work for a Japanese company.
7. Employment. Highly qualified specialists, such as engineers, programmers, and doctors, have the priority right to obtain such a visa. After 5 years of residence in the country on a work visa, a migrant can obtain a Japanese passport.
8. Refugee status. The Japanese are restrained in issuing passports to migrants who have been persecuted at home: on average, no more than 30 people a year can take advantage of this opportunity.
Conditions for granting Japanese citizenship to Ukrainians
So, there is a basis for obtaining a Japanese passport. But this is not enough: each candidate must meet certain requirements set by the country's authorities. Among them:
- the applicant must be over 20 years old (the exception is minor children who acquire citizenship together with their parents);
- the migrant must live in the country for at least 3-5 years (this period depends on the grounds for obtaining the residence permit), and during the year he/she must stay in Japan for 292 days or more;
- the candidate's official permanent salary must be at least $2,000 per month;
- confident command of the Japanese language (you need not only to speak, but also to write correctly in Japanese);
- renunciation of citizenship of the native state;
- no offenses or illegal actions against the government of Japan and its citizens.
What documents are required for citizenship?
The Japanese are very scrupulous, so they take paperwork very seriously. You should not forget about this feature of theirs and approach the preparation of documents with special care. The standard set includes:
- application form (to be filled in in Japanese)
- a valid foreign passport;
- two photos of 4.5 * 4.5 cm in size;
- a valid residence permit;
- original birth certificate;
- documents confirming income and financial solvency: income statement, bank account statement;
- a medical certificate stating that the migrant does not suffer from socially dangerous diseases and an insurance policy;
- a certificate of successful completion of the Japanese language test.
A representative of the Japanese migration service may consider this package incomplete and request additional documents from the candidate, such as documents on marital status, an employment contract, etc.
What is the procedure for obtaining Japanese citizenship?
- Submission of documents to the Ministry of Justice.
- Passing interviews with a representative of the Ministry (one or two interviews). It is not mandatory for the candidate to visit the ministry on his/her own. Often, an employee comes to the migrant's home or workplace to talk to his or her colleagues or neighbors and make sure that the applicant is trustworthy.
- After that, the migrant has to be patient and wait for the Japanese authorities to make a decision.