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Known as one of the most expensive countries out there for all expats, Japan certainly is the best choice for anyone looking for a fresh lease of life.
The reasons aren’t too obscure to scan.
Like any other developed nation that welcomes expats with open arms , Japan too packs in a plethora of benefits- great healthcare, schools that are high performing, and to top it all, excellent food which is affordable as well and easily available, like every now and then around the city.
In this post, we mull over what it’s like to immigrate to Japan from India.
Read on to find out more.
Why Japan is best for Indian Immigrants?
For starters, India and Japan are both Asian nations and over the years, there has been some good amount of cultural intermingling between the two nations.
And, the bonding between these two nations goes back to as old as 1903 when the Indo -Japan association came into existence. Right through several phases of history that these nations have shared together for as old as 1400 years ago, Japan and India have been friends but never adversaries.
The statistics speak for themselves.
As of June 2021, there were 36,777 Indian nationals living in Japan, the highest population being in Tokyo (37%) followed by Kanagawa(17%), Chiba(5%), Saitama, Hyogo, Aiachi, Osaka, Ibaraki and Tochigi.
The Japanese government also offers citizenship to anyone who has been living in the country for five years or more.
Why should you settle in Japan?
Japan, the land of the rising sun, by all means, has the ebay of both worlds to offer all expats.
At one end, you get to witness one of the oldest cultures in the world which is vibrant and inspiring to the core, whereas on the other end, you get to fitness the finest technology that’s out there.
And that’s not all. There are countless other reasons to to settle in Japan that include :
- Immersive community– Japan witnesses a plethora of cultural activities taking place around the year. This makes for a good way for all newcomers to the country to learn a great deal about the country, its culture, people, langage, food, beliefs and much more.
You must have heard about the popular festival of Japan called the Setsubun which is usually held during February, and marks the arrival of Spring season. Well, much like Setsubun, there are several other festivals around the year that won’t dampen your spirits when you are out there. - Healthy living for all- The residents of Japan are known to be among the longest living individuals in the world. The country is also among the lowest in terms of obesity and disease occurring nations which accounts for a healthy living. And besides the weather and genetics of the Japanese lot, the diet of the people there has a major role to play.
A typical Japanese diet is one that uses less sugar, and more antioxidants along with fruits, vegetables and seafood in abundance. Also, if you are acquainted with the Japanese way of living life, a practice called “hara hachi bu” (eating to your 80% capacity) is another factor that encourages healthy living. - Steadfast employment- Japan is also home to some of the most thriving industries in the world. Thus, as one can only imagine, the employment opportunities in this country are well accounted for and perhaps a tad bit more compared to other economies.
Take the tech companies for instance who are always hiring young, fresh talents wanting to make a difference with their skill and level of commitment. Also, if you are native English speaker, it can only double your chances of getting a job.
General Requirements to Japan Immigration
The need for a visa to enter Japan has to do a lot with the country you belong to. In other words, it’s your citizenship that holds weight in securing the visa to Japan.
Currently, citizens from 68 different countries and territories are allowed to travel to Japan for pleasure and business needs and can get a visa without applying at the consulate or embassy. It was at the onset of 2020 when the Japanese government shared a plan to go ahead with launching eVisa. However, such provisions were taken off due to COVID induced pandemic when the tourism industry came to a halt and suffered significant losses.
So, coming back to general visa requirement for Japan, besides confirming your nationality, there are a few other aspects that one needs to know:
- The citizens belonging to those 68 countries and territories that are identified by the Japanese government are allowed to visit and stay in Japan for up to ninety days. Here are the names of countries whose are exempted from obtaining a visa and still can have their citizens travel to Japan:
- All European Union citizens
- Australia
- Argentina
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Brunei
- Canada
- Chile
- Costa Rica
- Dominican Republic
- El Salvador
- Guatemala
- Honduras
- Hong Kong
- Iceland
- Israel
- Lesotho
- Liechtenstein
- Macau
- Macedonia
- Malaysia
- Mauritius
- Mexico
- Monaco
- New Zealand
- Norway
- San Marino
- Serbia
- Singapore
- South Korea
- Suriname
- Switzerland
- Taiwan
- Thailand
- Tunisia
- Turkey
- United States
- Uruguay
- However, citizens belonging to nations like Austria, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, Mexico, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland are further allowed to apply and extend their stay for as much as six months.
- Citizens belonging to some nations like Indonesia, Brunei, and Thailand are also granted approval for a fifteen day visa free travel to Japan. On the other hand, we have DUBIA citizens who are allowed to stay for no less than thirty days without the need of a visa.
- Alongside, there are citizens from another 45 countries who do not need to apply for a Japanese visa and are essentially holders of diplomatic passports.
The multiple VISA routes for Japan
The current Japanese government has opened up new pathways for immigrants who would liek to move to this country, work, and settle down.
As such, the most common type is the work visa which entitles one for a longer duration of stay. Any foreigner who wishes to work in Japan is required to obtain a work visa either from the Japanese embassy or from the consulate of their country.
Besides, one of the primary requirements in the way of securing a work visa for Japan is a Certificate of Eligibility, which is nothing but a legal document that is issued all the way by the Japanese Ministry of Justice. In order to procure one, you will have to submit a bunch of personal information to the Japanese Embassy. Upon careful consideration of such documents, the Japanese consulate can grant one a visa through the following standard routes:
- Work Visa – Once you have successfully applied and secured a job in Japan and the employer has agreed to sponsor you, the next step is to apply to the Regional Immigration Bureau in Japan to further the process of obtaining a certificate of eligibility. Next, you will have to apply for a Japanese work residence permit from the Embassy of your nationality. Generally, these standard work visas are valid for a period of three months to five years.
- Points-Based Preferential Immigration Treatment for Highly-Skilled Foreign Professionals- This is another standard visa approval route that packs in more number of advantages compared to the former and includes the likes of five year validity , faster processing of residency application and citizenship as well subject to fulfillment of certain predetermined conditions.
As the name suggests, this is a one-of-a-kind visa that has been specifically designed for workers who have been identified to have specialized skills. This particular type of visa is the one that is issued for individuals who come to Japan for research and other academic needs, or for technological innovations or belong to other disciplines of study like human behavioral sciences, advanced business management and humanities.
One must remember that applications for this special type of visa are awarded points pertaining to their previous academic qualifications, work experience and income and then further invited to obtain a citizenship in the country.
Wrap Up
Whether it’s Japan or any other Asian country, moving out of your own country for study or work needs can be a life changing experience .
However, before you apply for a foreign visa, it is advised that you take into consideration not just personal goals, but long term goals of your family members. Only then, you will be able to make the most out of the several benefits that the country has to offer, ranging from enhanced healthcare standards, education, professional opportunities, cultural intermingling, and a lot more.
Remember immigrating to Japan is a whole lot different compared to other developed countries like Canada and Australia where you can still move without a job offer in hand.
