With the globalimmigrantsThe trend is changing and many countries are gradually adjusting their immigration policies to attract more talents and investors. Japan, as the world's third largest economy, has also been optimizing its immigration policies in recent years, especially in the areas of work visas, entrepreneurial visas and the introduction of highly skilled personnel. For those who wish toImmigration to JapanIt is very important for those who are interested to know the latest visa requirements and application process. In this article, we will analyze in detailJapanese Immigration PolicyThe latest changes in the visa program and the application requirements for different visa types will help you to plan smoothly forImmigration to JapanThe path.

I. 2024Immigration to JapanChanges in policy

In recent years, the Japanese government has been placing increasing emphasis on the importation of foreign talent, especially in the face of an aging population and labor shortages. To address these issues, the Japanese government has made several key immigration policy changes in 2024 aimed at attracting more foreigners to work, invest or settle in Japan.

1. Visa for highly skilled foreigners
   Since 2012, Japan has introduced the Highly Skilled Professional Visa (HSPV), which is designed for those with high levels of education, technology or special skills. In 2024, the government has further relaxed the requirements for this visa, particularly in the calculation of points, so that more foreigners will be eligible to apply.
2. Diversification of work visas
   Japan has a wide variety of work visas for foreigners in different occupations and industries. In recent years, Japan has added new types of work visas for specific industries, such as nursing and IT, especially for fields that require foreign labor. In order to attract more foreign labor, the 2024 policy further simplifies the application process and increases the entry quota for foreign labor.
3. Startup Visa Optimization
   The Japanese government has also introduced a more liberal "start-up visa" policy in 2024 to encourage foreign entrepreneurs to invest and establish companies in Japan. In addition to relaxing start-up capital requirements, the government is providing more financial support and tax breaks to attract potential foreign entrepreneurs.
4. Permanent Resident Application Requirements Relaxed
   In 2024, the government announced a further relaxation of the requirements for permanent resident applications, particularly in terms of length of residence and financial ability. Foreigners can apply for permanent resident status after only five years of legal residence in Japan (compared to the usual ten years previously) and by proving that they have a stable income and tax record.

II. Latest visa requirements

For different immigration goals, applicants need to choose the right type of visa. Below are the latest requirements for several major visas currently available in Japan:

1. Work Visa (Employment Visa)

The types of work visas available in Japan include "Engineer/Humanities/International Service", "Technical Visa", and "Business Manager Visa", each of which applies to different industries and positions. Each visa type is applicable to different industries and positions. According to the latest regulations for 2024, applicants need to fulfill the following conditions:

• Academic Requirements: Applicants are usually required to have a bachelor's degree or higher, or work experience equivalent to a college degree.
• Work Experience Requirements: Applicants are required to have some work experience, especially in fields that are in short supply in Japan, such as IT, engineering, and the medical industry.
• Salary requirements: The applicant's salary needs to be in line with local Japanese industry standards, which usually depends on the specific industry and position.

2. Highly talented person visa

The visa requirements for highly skilled foreigners are more flexible, and applicants need to accumulate points based on a variety of criteria, including education, work experience, salary, etc. The latest policy for 2024 allows applicants to earn more points in several ways:

• Academic Calendar Points: Applicants with a master's or doctoral degree will receive higher points.
• Annual salary credit: Applicants with an annual salary of more than 8 million yen will receive additional points.
• Work experience points: Points are awarded to applicants with relevant industry experience, particularly in managerial or technical positions.

Once sufficient points have been earned, applicants can apply for a Highly Talented Person visa and, after a few years, permanent resident status.

3. business start-up visa

In 2024, the visa policy for foreign entrepreneurs is more liberal. Applicants need to fulfill the following basic conditions:

• Funding requirements: Applicants are required to invest a minimum of 5 million yen (approximately 30,000 RMB) in the establishment of the company, and the company must comply with the relevant Japanese tax and legal regulations.
• business plan: Applicants are required to submit a detailed business plan that demonstrates that their business plan is feasible and will bring economic benefits to Japan.
• language requirement: Although Japanese language is not mandatory, mastery of Japanese or the ability to communicate in a basic daily manner will contribute to the smooth running of business activities.

4. Permanent Resident Visa

The application requirements for permanent resident visas have been relaxed for 2024 and applicants will need to meet the following criteria:

• Length of residence: 5 years of legal residence in Japan (previously 10 years were required).
• Tax records: Applicants are required to provide tax records for at least 3 years to prove that they have a stable source of income.
• social adaptation: Applicants are required to demonstrate that they can integrate into Japanese society, for example, by studying Japanese and participating in community activities.

III. Visa Application Process

Whether you are applying for a work visa, entrepreneurial visa or permanent resident visa, the application process basically involves going through the following steps:

1. Confirmation of visa type and application requirements
   Applicants first need to confirm which type of visa they are suitable for and ensure that they meet the relevant conditions and requirements. This step is very important as different visa types have different requirements.
2. Preparation of application materials
   Depending on the type of visa being applied for, prepare the appropriate documents. These documents usually include proof of education, proof of work experience, company registration documents, tax records, etc.
3. Submit an application
   Submit the prepared documents to the Immigration Bureau of Japan or a Japanese embassy or consulate abroad for review. Some visas (e.g., Highly Talented Person visas) may require applications to be submitted through the Points System.
4. Approval and Visa Issuance
   The visa will be issued once the application documents have been reviewed and approved. Approval time is usually between 1 and 3 months, depending on the type of visa and the applicant's country of residence.
5. Entry and residence
   After obtaining a visa, the applicant can enter Japan and begin working or starting a business, depending on the type of visa. In the case of a visa for long-term stay, the visa will also need to be renewed periodically until the conditions for permanent resident application are met.

IV. Summary

Immigration to JapanThe policy has changed significantly in 2024, with the government actively attracting more foreign talent by relaxing visa requirements, increasing work visa quotas, and optimizing start-up visa policies. For those who wish toImmigration to JapanIt is crucial for those who are in Japan to understand the latest visa requirements and application process. With the right visa, immigrants can enjoy a high quality of life in Japan and open up broader horizons for their careers. If you are planning to immigrate to Japan, it is advisable to learn about the latest immigration policies as early as possible and prepare the relevant documents to ensure that your application goes through smoothly.