Moving to Japan: Long-Stay Visa Comparison Guide
Which visa should you choose to live in Japan? A comprehensive comparison of long-stay options: work, study, spouse, HSP and permanent residence.
Author
You dream of living in Japan, but which visa should you choose?
Japan offers more than a dozen different residence statuses, and navigating them is not easy for French speakers. Between the standard work visa, the HSP points-based program, the Working Holiday or the spouse visa, each option comes with its own conditions, duration and constraints. This guide compares the main pathways for French-speaking expats looking to settle long-term in the Land of the Rising Sun.
The 6 long-stay visas you need to know
1. Work visa (Engineer/Specialist in Humanities)
This is the most common visa for salaried expats. It requires a sponsoring employer in Japan and a university degree (or 10 years of experience in the field). Duration: 1 to 5 years, renewable. You can only work for your sponsoring employer — changing jobs means updating your visa.
2. Spouse of Japanese National visa
Married to a Japanese citizen? This visa offers complete freedom of employment — no sector restrictions. A significant bonus: after just 1 year of marriage and residence in Japan, you can apply for permanent residence. It is the fastest route to permanent status.
3. Highly Skilled Professional (HSP) — the points-based visa
The HSP program assigns points based on your degree, salary, experience and age. With 70 points, you get a 5-year visa and permanent residence after 3 years. With 80 points or more, it is after just 1 year. Requirement: a minimum annual salary of 3 million yen (~18,500 EUR). For a French speaker with a master degree and a few years of experience, reaching 70 points is not unrealistic.
4. Student visa
Ideal for learning Japanese at a language school or pursuing a university program. Duration: up to 2 years (renewable). You can work 28 hours per week with a supplementary activity permit. Many expats use this route as a stepping stone to a work visa.
5. Working Holiday (WHV)
Reserved for 18 to 30-year-olds (inclusive), the France-Japan Working Holiday visa lasts 1 year, non-renewable. You can work freely, travel and study. It is often the first taste of life in Japan — and a great way to find a sponsoring employer for the future.
6. Digital Nomad Visa
Launched in March 2024, this visa allows you to work remotely from Japan for up to 6 months. Requirements: an annual income of at least 10 million yen (~62,000 EUR) and private health insurance. It is non-renewable and non-convertible — you cannot switch to another visa without leaving Japan.
How long before permanent residence?
Permanent residence in Japan removes virtually all restrictions: freedom of employment, no visa renewals, easier access to property loans. But the timelines vary enormously depending on your entry point.
- Spouse visa: 1 year of residence + minimum 3 years of marriage
- HSP 80+ points: 1 year of residence
- HSP 70+ points: 3 years of residence
- Standard work visa: 10 years of continuous residence
- Long-term Resident: 5 years of residence
Since February 2026, a new rule requires a minimum stay of 5 years on a valid visa for any permanent residence application, with exceptions (spouse, HSP). Application fees have also increased — expect around 100,000 JPY (~620 EUR).
Which visa for which expat profile?
- Young graduate (18-30): WHV, then work visa, then permanent residence in ~10 years
- Skilled professional: HSP (if 70+ points), then permanent residence in 1-3 years
- Spouse of a Japanese national: spouse visa, then permanent residence in 1 year
- Language student: student visa, then work visa (after being hired)
- Freelancer/nomad: digital nomad visa (6 months max, no conversion possible)
Good to know
The Certificate of Eligibility (COE) is a mandatory step for most long-stay visas. Your future employer, school or spouse in Japan submits the application to immigration. No COE, no visa — allow 1 to 3 months for processing.
How to choose? Questions to ask yourself
Before starting the paperwork, ask yourself these questions: do you have a sponsoring employer? A recognized degree? A Japanese spouse? Sufficient budget for the digital nomad visa? The answers will naturally point you toward the right visa. And do not forget: Japan is gradually tightening its requirements — better to start the process early than to wait.