Are you looking for a way to stay in Japan long-term without working?
Many foreign nationals dream of spending several months or even a full year living in Japan — enjoying Japanese culture, experiencing daily life, or staying with family while working remotely from abroad.
One option that may allow this is the Japan Long Stay Visa, commonly handled under the “Designated Activities” status of residence.
In this article, we will explain:
What the Japan Long Stay Visa is
The 30 million yen savings requirement
Medical insurance requirements
The latest application process
Important immigration rule changes in 2026
This guide is based on actual immigration practice in Japan and is intended for foreigners considering long-term stays in Japan.
目次
What Is the Japan Long Stay Visa in 2026?
The Japan Long Stay Visa is a system designed mainly for foreign nationals with sufficient financial assets who wish to stay in Japan for an extended period of time.
Employment is not permitted under this visa, and we often receive inquiries from people who wish to:
Enjoy Japanese culture
Experience a slower lifestyle in Japan
Spend their retirement years in Japan
Stay close to children studying in Japan
and other individuals hoping to enjoy a long-term stay in Japan.
You may see it called a ‘Japan Retirement Visa’ online, but Japan actually does not have an official retirement visa! Instead, many people who want to stay in Japan long-term use this ‘Japan Long Stay Visa’ (Designated Activities visa) in practice.
Main Requirements for the Japan Long Stay Visa
1.You Must Have at Least 30 Million Yen in Savings
One of the most important requirements for the Japan Long Stay Visa is proof of sufficient financial resources.
In practice, applicants are generally expected to show:
30,000,000 JPY (30 million yen) or more in savings
This point is extremely important:
Immigration requires cash savings, not total net worth.
Many overseas applicants hold most of their assets in:
Investment accounts
Stocks
Real estate
Cryptocurrency
Retirement funds
Other financial assets
However, these assets are not treated the same as bank savings for this visa application.
As a result, some applicants technically have high net worth but still do not meet the immigration requirement because their bank balance is too low.
For the Japan Long Stay Visa, the funds must be verifiable as cash savings in a bank account.
Therefore, applicants may need to move funds from investment accounts into regular bank accounts so that, at the time of the COE application, they can clearly demonstrate savings equivalent to at least 30 million yen in Japanese currency.
2.Private Medical Insurance Is Required
Applicants must also obtain private medical insurance that covers the intended period of stay in Japan.
This is another area where many applications encounter problems.
One very important point:
Credit card travel insurance is NOT accepted.
Applicants must obtain proper private medical insurance suitable for the Japan Long Stay Visa.
Additionally, even automatically renewable insurance policies may require additional explanation documents if the renewal timing does not fully cover the entire intended stay period in Japan.
Immigration authorities carefully review:
Coverage period
Insurance details
Policy conditions
Continuity of coverage
Before applying, it is very important to confirm that the insurance documentation fully satisfies immigration requirements.
Japan Long Stay Visa Application Process
The general application process currently works as follows:
STEP 1
Enter Japan as a Temporary Visitor
STEP 2
Apply for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) at a Japanese immigration office inside Japan
STEP 3
After the COE is issued, leave Japan and return to your home country
STEP 4
Apply for the visa at a Japanese embassy or consulate abroad
STEP 5
Re-enter Japan and receive your Residence Card
Important Immigration Rule Change in 2026
Previously, some immigration offices in Japan occasionally allowed applicants to:
Enter Japan as a temporary visitor
Obtain a COE
Change status directly inside Japan to the Long Stay Visa
This was treated as an exceptional practice in certain cases.
However, since April 2026, this practice is no longer permitted.
Applicants are now generally required to:
Leave Japan after COE issuance
Apply for the visa at a Japanese embassy or consulate overseas
Re-enter Japan with the proper visa
This is an extremely important update because many older articles online still describe the previous process.
Before applying, it is strongly recommended to confirm the latest immigration procedures.
Who Is the Japan Long Stay Visa Suitable For?
The Japan Long Stay Visa may be suitable for people who want to:
Stay in Japan for several months or up to one year
Experience life in Japan without working locally
Spend retirement time in Japan
Stay near family members in Japan
Travel slowly around Japan
Explore relocation possibilities
Enjoy Japanese culture long-term
Final Thoughts
The Japan Long Stay Visa can be an attractive option for people who wish to stay in Japan for an extended period of time.
However, there are many important practical considerations, including:
How savings are evaluated
Insurance requirements
The application process
Recent immigration policy changes
In particular, many people outside Japan manage their assets through investment accounts, so it is important to understand that Japanese immigration practice may evaluate financial assets differently.
Need Help With a Japan Long Stay Visa?
If you are considering applying for a Japan Long Stay Visa and would like professional support regarding:
Financial eligibility
Savings documentation
Insurance requirements
COE applications
Immigration procedures
Visa applications are delicate procedures where even a single document can affect the outcome.
If you find yourself wondering, “What about my situation?” or “I’m not confident in preparing the documents,” we encourage you to reach out to us.
At Megumi Immigration Law Office, we are committed to supporting you with care, so that your loved ones can arrive in Japan safely and with a smile.
Your first consultation is free, so please feel free to contact us anytime. We’ll be here to support you every step of the way as you take this important next step.
Profile Megumi Suzuki is a certified administrative scrivener (Gyoseishoshi). After graduating from universities in Japan and Shanghai, she worked as an international flight attendant for approximately 12 years.
Through her encounters with passengers from many different countries, she came to understand the dreams and aspirations of people who hope to study, work, and build their lives in Japan. Today, as an administrative scrivener, she focuses on supporting foreign nationals with immigration matters, including visa and residence status applications.
With the motto, “Supporting you even after you step off the plane,” she provides careful, personalized support while valuing each client’s past, present, and future.
Please feel free to reach out, even if it’s something small that makes you wonder, “Is this something I can really ask about?”
