Japan has a specified designated activities visa for travelers who want to stay longer for sightseeing and recreation. The long-stay tourist visa for Japan lets you and your spouse live and travel in the country for six months up to a year with a visa extension. Unlike a temporary tourist visa, you can stay in Japan without having to leave and come back every 90 days.
Whether exploring the streets of Tokyo, hiking in the Japanese Alps, or soaking in the atmosphere of Kyoto‘s temples, the long-stay tourist visa offers the flexibility and freedom to experience Japan on your own time. Let’s explore the requirements, benefits, and how to apply!
Go! Go! Nihon helps international students apply for language school and student visas in Japan. Because of the uniqueness of the long-stay tourist visa for Japan, Go! Go! Nihon is partnering with a Japanese immigration lawyer who can apply for the visa on your behalf! To get professional help in English contact us here.
Long-stay tourist visa for Japan application requirements
To get a long-stay tourist visa for Japan, applicants should meet certain criteria and prove that they are well-prepared for a long vacation and can obtain a Certificate of Eligibility (COE).
The main requirements include:
- Nationality: Applicants must be from a visa waiver country.
- Age: Applicants must be 18 years or older.
- Savings: Individual (or combined with your spouse) savings equivalent to more than 30 million Japanese yen.
- Health insurance: You must have valid health insurance coverage in Japan.
- Criminal record: A clean criminal record.
These requirements are designed to ensure that those who apply for the long-stay tourist visa for Japan are financially secure and have access to healthcare during their stay.
Advantages and Disadvantages of the Long Stay Tourist Visa for Japan
The long-stay tourist visa for Japan was specifically created for travelers who want to stay longer without working. This visa has many advantages, but it also comes with some disadvantages that should be considered before applying.
The long-stay tourist visa for Japan offers several benefits that make it an attractive option for those looking to spend an extended period in Japan:
- Bring your spouse: One great benefit of this visa is that you and your spouse can combine your income and savings to meet the 30 million yen requirement. As long as you travel together in Japan, your spouse can join you without needing their own separate 30 million yen.
- Open a bank account: After six months, you can open a bank account in Japan. This can make managing finances during your stay much easier.
- No need to exit and re-enter Japan: Unlike the temporary visitor visa, which requires you to leave Japan every 90 days, the long-stay tourist visa allows you to stay continuously for six months, and extend the visa up to a year.
While the long-stay tourist visa for Japan has many advantages, there are also some drawbacks to consider:
- No work allowed: The long-stay tourist visa does not allow any type of work, remotely or otherwise. This could be a limitation for anyone wanting or needing to work while they travel. For those who want to enter Japan and work, the digital nomad visa, J-Find & J-Skip visas, Highly Skilled Professional, and other work visas noted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, allow specified work in Japan.
- Limited family accompaniment: You can only bring your spouse; children are not permitted to accompany long-stay tourist visa holders. For applicants who want to bring the whole family with them to Japan long-term, several types of visas like working visas, and university/graduate student visas will allow you to apply for a dependent visa for children under the age of 18.
- Financial requirement: Needing to have over 30 million Japanese yen in savings may be prohibitive for some applicants.
How and Where to Apply for a Long Stay Tourist Visa for Japan
If you’re ready to embark on your extended journey to Japan, here’s how you can apply for the long-stay tourist visa for Japan.
Required Documents
To apply, you’ll need to prepare the following:
- Passport: Your valid passport is required for the application.
- Visa Application Form: Complete the visa application form and attach a recent passport-sized photo.
- Certificate of Eligibility (COE): The Certificate of Eligibility document can significantly simplify the visa application process.
Note: A COE is not necessary when applying locally through an embassy in your own country.
- Schedule of stay: A detailed plan of your stay in Japan (not needed if you submit a COE).
- Financial proof: Provide documents, such as a bankbook, showing savings of over 30 million yen. The balance must be maintained for six months and can include multiple accounts. (not needed if you submit a COE).
- Health Insurance Documentation: Proof that you hold private medical travel insurance covering death, injury, and illness (not needed if you submit a COE).
Note: If you submit the COE, you do not need to provide the documents listed on points 4,5, and 6.
Where to Apply
There are two ways to apply for the long stay tourist visa for Japan:
- Applying Inside Japan: If you are already in Japan on a short-term visa or another visa type and want to switch, it is advised to apply directly at your closest regional immigration office in Japan. In this case, you would first apply for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE). Once the COE is issued, you can switch your short-term stay visa to a long-term stay visa within Japan without leaving the country.
Note: A COE does not guarantee that your visa application will be accepted. - Applying Outside Japan: If you’re not in Japan at the time of application, you can apply directly at your local Japanese consulate or embassy.
Each method has pros and cons, but applying while in Japan can offer the advantage of completing the process without interrupting your stay.
Start Your Journey
The long-stay tourist visa for Japan offers the opportunity for those who wish to dive deep into the culture, landscapes, and lifestyle of Japan without the constant worry of visa renewals or exits. However, the application process can be complex and requires careful preparation to meet all the requirements.
With the uniqueness of the long-stay visa in Japan, Go! Go! Nihon is partnering with a Japanese immigration lawyer who can assist with the long-stay tourist visa application process in English, while you are in Japan. To get assistance and have a smooth application process, contact us today!
