Guidance

Living in Japan

Information about moving to, living or retiring in Japan – including visas, working, healthcare and driving.

From:
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Published
28 May 2013
Last updated
20 February 2026 — See all updates

Getting help with living in Japan

Help from the Japanese government

The Japanese Ministry of Justice publishes a detailed guide to living and working in Japan for foreign nationals.

For any questions about moving to or living in Japan, you may be able to get help from the:

The UK government and the British Embassy in Tokyo cannot give personalised advice on moving to, living or retiring in Japan.

Professional help in Japan

You can also get help from English-speaking professionals in Japan, including:

  • lawyers
  • translators
  • notaries
  • funeral directors

Help from the UK government

Read the travel advice for Japan to understand the risks you may face if you live in or visit Japan. This includes the latest information on:

  • visas and entry requirements
  • laws and cultural differences
  • safety and security
  • natural disasters

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad.

Get help from the UK government abroad, including in an emergency.

Visas, residency and citizenship

Make sure you meet the entry requirements for Japan before you travel.

Visas and residency

Check which visa and residence status you need to live in Japan.

Read the Japanese government’s:

You can get a visa to:

  • work
  • study
  • live with family in Japan
  • carry out research, training or an internship
  • invest or do business in Japan

For most long-term visas, you must apply for a Certificate of Eligibility (in Japanese with English translation) before you submit your visa application. This confirms that you meet the requirements for your intended visa and residence status.

If you want to extend your visa:

Residence cards

Once you arrive in Japan, you’ll receive a residence card (in Japanese with English translation). The Japanese authorities normally issue this card at the airport. In some cases, you may need to collect it at your Regional Immigration Services Bureau (in Japanese with English translation) within 14 days of your arrival.

You must update or apply for a new residence card if:

  • your card is lost, damaged, or stolen
  • your personal details change — for example, your name or address

For more information, read the Japanese government’s:

Registering as a resident

Once you arrive, you need to register your address in Japan. The Japanese government’s guide to living and working in Japan for foreign nationals explains when and how to register.

If you have any problems or questions about registering your address, contact:

Permanent residency

You may be able to apply for permanent residency in Japan.
To find out if you’re eligible and how to apply:

Citizenship

Japan does not recognise dual citizenship. This means that you may have to give up (renounce) your British citizenship to become a Japanese citizen.

To find out if you’re eligible for Japanese citizenship:

Help with visa, residency and citizenship applications

The British Embassy in Tokyo cannot help with Japanese visa, residency or citizenship applications.

For any questions or issues, contact:

Passports and travel

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:

  • apply for a British passport from abroad
  • travel urgently without your British passport

Dual citizens travelling to the UK

When travelling to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. Read guidance on dual citizenship.

Natural disasters

Prepare yourself and your home for hazards and emergencies. Make sure that you:

  • know the different Japanese government alert levels
  • have an emergency kit at home
  • know where your nearest evacuation centre is

Sign up for alerts from our travel advice page to get updates about developments in a crisis.

Healthcare in Japan

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:

  • plan your healthcare
  • take medicine abroad

Japan does not have a reciprocal health agreement with the UK.

If you have a visa valid for more than 90 days, you must enrol in either:

  • the Japanese National Health Insurance System (‘Kokumen Kenko Hoken’)
  • Employee Health Insurance

Read the section on medical services in the Japanese government’s guide to living and working in Japan for foreign nationals. This explains the health insurance systems and how to register.

To find out how to get medical treatment:

Working in Japan  

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers working abroad, including documents you may need from the UK government.

To work in Japan, you need a visa and residence status that gives you permission to work.  Read the Japanese government’s guidance on work or long-term stay visas.

You can also read the Japanese government’s guidance on employment and working, in the guide to living and working in Japan for foreign nationals.
This covers topics including:

  • employment contracts
  • wages
  • working conditions
  • employment laws
  • finding a job

To apply for a job, you may need to provide at least the following documents:

  • residence card
  • passport
  • Japanese police criminal history check

Recognition of qualifications

If you want to work in Japan, you may need to get your foreign qualifications recognised. For information read:

Driving in Japan

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:

  • drive abroad legally
  • take your UK vehicle abroad
  • get driving licence letters

If you plan to stay in Japan for 12 months or less, you can drive in Japan using the 1949 version of the International Driving Permit (IDP). You should apply for an IDP in the UK, as you cannot do so from Japan.

Read about road travel in Japan, in safety and security in the travel advice for Japan. This includes information on driving in country, including the IDP and driving licence rules. 

If you plan to stay in Japan for longer than 12 months, you should apply for a Japanese driving licence. You can convert your valid UK licence to a Japanese licence without taking a test.

The Japanese Automobile Federation provides information on driving in Japan, including how to:

For more information, read the section on traffic rules in the Japanese government’s guide to living and working in Japan for foreign nationals.

Disabled drivers

You may be able to apply for a special parking permit from the local police. You will need to provide a:

  • physical disability certificate
  • mental disability health and welfare certificate

Contact the city hall or ward office (in Japanese) where you’re registered as a resident to get these certificates.

Read the Japanese government’s guidance on certification for people with disabilities. You can find this in the pension and welfare section of the guide to living and working in Japan for foreign nationals.

If you have a UK Blue Badge and live in Japan, you must return it to the original UK issuing authority.

Tax

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers tax, including paying UK tax and National Insurance.

You can also read the section on tax in the Japanese government’s guide to living and working in Japan for foreign nationals.

The UK has a double taxation agreement with Japan so that you do not pay tax on the same income in both countries.

Contact the Japanese National Tax Agency for any questions about double taxation relief.

Consider getting professional advice on paying tax in Japan. To do this, find an English-speaking lawyer in Japan.

Pensions

Claiming your UK pension

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers:

  • how to claim your UK State Pension
  • where the UK government pays an annual increase in the State Pension

Claiming a Japanese pension

Japan has a 3 tier pension system. Most people who live and work in Japan must participate in the National Pension System (‘Basic Pension’). For more information, read the pension and welfare section in the Japanese government’s guide to living and working in Japan for foreign nationals.

Contact the Japan Pension Service to find out whether you can claim a Japanese pension.

Benefits

Claiming UK benefits

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to claim UK benefits abroad, including Child Benefit.

Claiming Japanese benefits

To find out about benefits in Japan and eligibility requirements:

Buying and renting property in Japan

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers buying and renting property abroad.

Contact an English-speaking lawyer in Japan if you’re considering buying or renting property or land.

If you are looking to rent or buy a property, it’s illegal for homeowners to discriminate based on sexuality, race or nationality. However, there have been reported cases of owners being selective about tenants or buyers, and people have been refused properties based on their sexuality, race or nationality.

Voting in Japan

UK elections

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:

  • vote in UK elections from abroad
  • register as an overseas voter

Japanese elections

You cannot vote in Japanese elections unless you hold Japanese citizenship.

Studying in Japan

If you plan to study in Japan, you must meet all visa requirements before you travel.

For more information:

Children

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers moving abroad with children, including:

  • getting permission to take your child abroad
  • claiming UK Child Benefit abroad
  • child maintenance payments if a parent lives abroad

Schools and education

The Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) provides information about the school system in Japan.

You can also read the education section of the Japanese government’s guide to living and working in Japan for foreign nationals.

All children aged 6 to 15 must attend school in Japan.

For more information, read the Japanese government’s guidance on:

Childcare

The Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare is responsible for childcare services in Japan. The operation and management of local childcare services are overseen by municipal governments.

The Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) is responsible for early childhood education.

Read the childbirth and parenting section of the Japanese government’s guide to living and working in Japan for foreign nationals. This covers childcare allowance and pre-school facilities.

Births, deaths, marriages and civil partnerships

Births

If your child is born in Japan, register the birth with the Japanese authorities. Read the childbirth and parenting section of the Japanese government’s guide to living and working in Japan for foreign nationals.

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:

  • register the birth with the UK authorities to get a UK birth certificate
  • apply for your child’s first British passport

Deaths

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers:

  • what to do after someone dies abroad
  • how to register the death with the UK authorities

If someone dies in Japan, read guidance on:

You can also read the Japanese government’s guide to living and working in Japan for foreign nationals. This covers:

  • notification of death in Japan
  • death benefit
  • widow’s pension

Marriages and civil partnerships

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to get married or get a civil partnership abroad.

Same sex marriages and civil partnerships are not legally recognised in Japan. For information about LGBT+ rights in Japan, read guidance on safety and security in the travel advice for Japan.  

Divorce and separation

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to get a divorce or end a civil partnership.

The Japanese Ministry of Justice offers guidance on divorce in Japan.

Consider taking legal advice from an English-speaking lawyer in Japan.

Documents for British people in Japan

Read our guidance on documents for British people abroad. This covers: 

  • legalising and certifying UK documents
  • marriage and civil partnership documents
  • affirmations and affidavits
  • witnessing signatures

Lawyers, translators and notaries

To find an English-speaking lawyer, translator or notary in Japan, read guidance on professional services if you’re abroad.

Pets

If you want to bring your pet with you to Japan, read guidance on:

For any questions, contact the Animal Quarantine Service.

Returning to the UK

Read returning to the UK permanently. This includes information on bringing family members back to the UK, tax and access to services.

Disclaimer

We provide this information as a guide only.  For definitive information, contact the Japanese authorities.

Read our consular information disclaimer.

Updates to this page

Published 28 May 2013
Last updated 20 February 2026 show all updates

  1. Rewrote guide to make it easier to read and understand. Includes new information about dual citizens travelling to the UK ('Passports and travel' section).

  2. Coronavirus information has been removed. Other slight updates including to 'Healthcare' section and added FRESC links.

  3. Guidance reviewed and updated

  4. Added LGBTQ+, Returning to the UK and Other Useful Information

  5. Natural disaster leaflet updated

  6. Coronavirus section added with a link to guidance on vaccines.

  7. Added Coronavirus information to Natural disaster preparedness section

  8. COVID-19 related information updated

  9. Added new section 'Natural disaster preparedness 101'

  10. Added info about FRESC

  11. Visa & Immigration information updated

  12. Information for a victim of domestic violence and abuse added

  13. Health, Benefits and Legal Support & Employment sections updated

  14. Updated information for students on Covid-19 Coronavirus section.

  15. Legal Support & Employment section updated

  16. Visa information updated

  17. Updated in response to Covid-19

  18. First published.

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