In about six months, I would like to spend a significant amount of time in Japan—around 4-5 months each year. I want to make several trips each year, lasting about a month. I have the flexibility to do this as I own a small business back in the US.
I do have a couple of concerns, and I’m hoping some of you might be able to provide guidance:
**1. Immigration and Remote Work:**
My first concern is regarding the legality of this arrangement. Is it legal to stay in Japan for a cumulative total of 4-5 months a year as long as I don’t exceed the 90-day limit per stay? Also, I’ve heard it’s illegal to work for a company in another country on a tourist visa. How risky is this realistically?
**2. Tourist Visa Limitations:**
I ideally want a long-term lease (1 year or more) for an apartment, but being on a tourist visa might limit my options. From what I can find, I can only rent places that allow short-term visitors, but I can’t figure out if there’s any way to secure a proper lease without work.
I’d appreciate any advice, personal experiences, or insights you could share. I appreciate any help you can provide.
**TL;DR: Planning to live in Japan for 4-5 months per year, taking multiple trips and staying no more than 40 days each time.**
5 comments
This is a copy of your post for archive/search purposes.
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**Living in Japan for Short Periods Annually – Immigration and Residency Questions**
In about six months, I would like to spend a significant amount of time in Japan—around 4-5 months each year. I want to make several trips each year, lasting about a month. I have the flexibility to do this as I own a small business back in the US.
I do have a couple of concerns, and I’m hoping some of you might be able to provide guidance:
**1. Immigration and Remote Work:**
My first concern is regarding the legality of this arrangement. Is it legal to stay in Japan for a cumulative total of 4-5 months a year as long as I don’t exceed the 90-day limit per stay? Also, I’ve heard it’s illegal to work for a company in another country on a tourist visa. How risky is this realistically?
**2. Tourist Visa Limitations:**
I ideally want a long-term lease (1 year or more) for an apartment, but being on a tourist visa might limit my options. From what I can find, I can only rent places that allow short-term visitors, but I can’t figure out if there’s any way to secure a proper lease without work.
I’d appreciate any advice, personal experiences, or insights you could share. I appreciate any help you can provide.
**TL;DR: Planning to live in Japan for 4-5 months per year, taking multiple trips and staying no more than 40 days each time.**
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Your plan is not viable at all. You cannot work on a tourist visa, nor will you be able to rent an apartment on a tourist visa.
I’m sorry but it’s not feasible and you’d be breaking laws by working on tourist visa.
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Without a proper visa you will not be able to rent an apartment in Japan. To rent an apartment here, things like a Japanese bank account or even a Japan based phone number are needed (as a base minimum needed). If you don’t have a proper visa, you will not get a Japanese bank account or phone plan here, so you also won’t find an apartment that will lease to you long term. (Unless you buy property out right, but that’s a whole different thing)