Hi all!
My husband, myself and our kid are hoping to make a temporary move to Japan for about 6 months. I’m wondering if this is possible: 90 days in Japan on a tourist visa, leave the country for a short period of time (ie two weeks or so), then return to Japan for another 90 days on a new tourist visa? We won’t be working in Japan during that time, just continuing some freelance online work for clients in Canada (our home). Thanks!
6 comments
Have you looked into Tourist visa? Only available for guided tours at the moment. Very strict.
You can try that and hope that immigration won’t care.
> We won’t be working in Japan during that time, just continuing some freelance online work for clients in Canada (our home). Thanks!
Wouldn’t that be working *in* Japan?
Tourist Visa not currently being issued so wont be possible now, in the future, sure it could potentially work.. but.
>We won’t be working in Japan during that time, just continuing some freelance online work for clients in Canada
This, this counts as working in Japan, because working while physically located in Japan.. is working in Japan and not allowed on a tourist Visa, it doesnt matter where your client is located, its about where YOU are located while doing the work.
Most people don’t seem to have an issue when they leave Japan after 90 days and come back a short time later. However it can happen that you get denied, for whatever reason. So I would have a back up plan ready, you never know. Also try to have some wiggle room with the 90 days period. You never know what happens in the world. I was in Japan during COVID, and it was not that easy, and a little bit expensive to get an extension.
You can’t do your freelance work whilst a tourist in Japan.
When borders open though you can come as a tourist (NO WORKING even for your Canadian clients) for 90 days. Then yea you can leave and come back for another 90 days but expect the possibility immigration May question you before the permit you into Japan for the 2nd 90 days.
Like they may ask you how a family are supporting there now due to be 180 day trip in Japan. Which when they find out it’s by your doing freelance work for Canadian clients during your first 90 days in Japan you will be in trouble.
If you want to do this, don’t come to Japan. Go to Thailand as they are more relaxed with tourists doing remote work.
So Im on holiday and get an emergency and open up my laptop to respond to an email? I get a small bonus for this with “Enjoy Japan” from my boss.
Am I breaking Japanese law?