Japan immigration rule changes

Japan Digital Nomad Visa: Japan Digital Nomad Visa officially launched on 1 March 2024 by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration Services Agency. 6-month stay, single-entry, non-renewable. Open to nationals of 49 treaty countries. Income threshold: JPY 10,000,000 (approx. USD 65,000-70,000). Source: mofa.go.jp and isa.go.jp.

Japan Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) Visa: Further expansion: SSW sectors count increased to 14, adding automobile transportation, forestry, and timber industries to the original 11 sectors.

Japan Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) Visa: Japan announced expansion of SSW-2 eligibility from 2 sectors (construction and shipbuilding) to 9 sectors, significantly broadening the path to indefinite-renewal status and family accompaniment for SSW workers.

Japan Business Manager Visa: Japan's Startup Visa programme expanded in cooperation with specific municipalities (Tokyo, Fukuoka, Osaka). Allows entrepreneurs to enter Japan for up to 6 months without a full Business Manager CoE, to establish their company during that period. Separate from standard Business Manager visa.

Japan Highly Skilled Professional Visa: J-Skip pathway launched: HSP applicants scoring 80+ points may enter Japan without a pre-arranged employer for up to 6 months (Activity Status: "Highly Skilled Professional (predefined activities)"). Replaces older "Job Seeker" concept for HSP-tier applicants.

Japan Highly Skilled Professional Visa: J-Find pathway launched: graduates of top-ranked universities (QS/Times top 100) within 5 years of graduation may enter Japan on a dedicated job-hunting status for up to 2 years without a specific employer.

Japan Highly Skilled Professional Visa: HSP point bonus added for graduates of Japanese universities and for candidates with N1/N2 Japanese language certification, raising bonus points and making the 70-point threshold easier to clear.

Japan J-Find Visa (Job-Seeking for Top University Graduates): J-Find status was newly introduced, allowing graduates of top-ranked global universities to enter Japan for up to 2 years to search for skilled employment or prepare a business without a prior job offer — a departure from Japan's historical employer-first work-visa model.

Japan J-Skip Visa (Highly Skilled Professional Fast-Track): J-Skip status was newly introduced, letting applicants earning at least ¥20,000,000/year with a master's degree (or 10+ years' relevant experience) bypass the standard 70-point Highly Skilled Professional points calculation and qualify for a 1-year fast-track to permanent residency.

Japan Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) Visa: Specified Skilled Worker (SSW / Tokutei Ginou) programme launched under revised Immigration Control Act, creating SSW-1 and SSW-2 categories to address Japan's severe labour shortage in 14 designated sectors.