Moving to Japan long-term as a foreign citizen while working for a foreign company

6 comments

1. This is a copy of your post for archive/search purposes.

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   **Moving to Japan long-term as a foreign citizen while working for a foreign company**

   Hello! I’ve done my best to research this topic on my own, but I’m still a bit lost. I hope this post is appropriate here. I am searching for advice, insights, and personal experiences related to my situation.

   I am currently exploring the process of obtaining a long-term visa to live in Japan, securing accommodation (buying or renting), and ultimately acquiring Permanent Residency (PR). My goal is to make a full-time move to Japan by January 2024.

   Here’s a bit about me: I’m a Canadian citizen currently taking a sabbatical from work, and have been living in Japan on a sightseeing visa for the past 2 months. I’m in my mid-20s and have a well-paying job as a software consultant for a start-up back in Canada.

   I love my work and co-workers, and the work-life balance is excellent. The compensation is also better or comparable to the big Japanese software firms like Apple, Google, Amazon, etc

   One idea I have for making this transition is to shift from being a salaried full-time employee with my Canadian company to becoming a contracted consultant while living in Japan. From my company’s standpoint, this seems feasible. But I’m unsure about the Japanese visa requirements or any possible legal ramifications that may make this difficult. For instance, I’m considering options like securing a Highly Skilled Professional (HSP) visa, setting up a sole proprietorship (kojin jigyou), or something similar.

   I plan to visit the Canadian embassy tomorrow to gather more information on this matter, and once I have a solid understanding, I intend to get professional legal advice.

   Thank you in advance for any advice or anecdotes you can share about this process. Cheers!

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2. Your route to a visa will not work. You will need to find a Japanese company to sponsor your visa. You cannot do this as a remote worker or contractor for your company abroad. All of us that are working for overseas companies have other visas like a spouse of Japanese national visa that allows us to do any work within Japan.

3. >For instance, I’m considering options like securing a Highly Skilled Professional (HSP) visa

   You can’t get the HSP without an employer. A *Japanese* employer.

   >setting up a sole proprietorship (kojin jigyou)

   You also can’t do this as a means of getting a visa. You *could* look into the Business Manager visa. But honestly I can almost guarantee you’d get rejected on your current course.

   Part of the requirements for a Business Manager visa is a business plan that explains why your new company needs to be in Japan. “I want to work remotely for my Canadian company” *absolutely* will not cut it.

   >I plan to visit the Canadian embassy tomorrow to gather more information on this matter

   Why are you going to the *Canadian* embassy? You’re asking about moving to Japan, and are currently ***in Japan***, so why would you not ask… The Japanese government? Call or visit your local immigration bureau. Find a local immigration attorney. Either of those options make infinitely more sense than asking *Canadian* government representatives how to live in Japan.

4. The only visas that allow remote working for a foreign company are Spouse and Long term resident. (Technically it is possible on student/dependent but those come with severe restrictions)

   All other working/business visas require a Japanese employer to sponsor, or a solid business plan why the company needs to be in Japan and not somewhere else.

5. Have you looked at the requirements for becoming a sole proprietor in Japan? The first few results on Google suggest that you need to already have a valid visa.

6. One thing people haven’t mentioned is that you can have the foreign company use a GEO to employ you to get a work visa. The GEO is essentially a local company that employs you, and then they contract you out to the foreign company.

   Will require the company to do extra work (and costs quite a bit), but if the company is willing to do it, then it’s an option. That’s how I have my current work visa.