Move from Hong Kong Sar China to Japan
Starter · 0%Moving from Hong Kong to Japan involves careful planning and understanding of various immigration routes. Japan offers several visa options for different purposes, including work, family reunification, and remote work. You may consider the Business Manager Visa if you are starting a business or the Highly Skilled Professional Visa if you possess specific qualifications. The Digital Nomad Visa is also an option for remote workers. You should check the specific requirements for each visa type and ensure you meet the criteria outlined by the Japanese government. The cost of living in Japan, particularly in Tokyo, is lower compared to Hong Kong. However, you should prepare for different expenses, including housing, transportation, and daily living costs. you should gather necessary documents such as proof of income, identification, and any required translations. Be aware of potential scams related to document services and rental agreements. Always verify information through official government sites or licensed immigration consultants to avoid misinformation and ensure a easier move.
Immigration rules and fees change frequently. Confirm current requirements on official government or embassy websites.
AI-assisted. Parts of this page may be drafted with AI and editor-reviewed. Always confirm rules, fees, and hours on official government sources before you act. How we use AI · Editorial standards
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First-month tasks after landing.
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Corridor articles
Browse blog →- Japan Plans to Reopen SSW Meal Service Intake for Hospitals and Schools
Japan plans to move hospital, care home and school meal preparation into the food and beverage manufacturing quota, reopening SSW(i) intake for those kitchens while restaurants stay frozen. Here is what moves now and what to do.
- Canada Closes Hong Kong Permanent Residence Pathways After 31 August 2026
IRCC closed Hong Kong permanent residence pathways to new filings on 31 August 2026. Accepted files still process. Eligible applicants keep an open work permit route through 05/2029.
- Japan Raises Permanent Residence Fee to 200,000 Yen From 1 October 2026
Japan's Cabinet set a 200,000 yen permanent residence fee on 25 August 2026, up from 10,000 yen, starting 1 October. Renewal fees also leave the old 6,000 yen flat rate. File before 30 September to keep current prices.
- New Schengen Border Restrictions and U.S. Visa Reorganizations Are Transforming
Critical global immigration and cross-border mobility shifts for August 18, 2026. Key developments include the European Union's multi-nation extension of internal Schengen border controls with expanded enforcement rights, the U.S. State Department's operational realignment of visa processing across Africa into 20 designated regional hubs, Portugal's AIMA digital queueing mandate for non-EU residence renewals, and Japan's ISA enforcement of wage linkage for Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) holders.
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Set up policy alertsPathway ranking
Top visas by your goal
Ranked from published visa records — always confirm eligibility on the official immigration portal.
- Rank 1Score 86
Highly Skilled Professional
Work / Accelerated Residency · 1-3 months (COE issuance).
Matches work pathway signals (work, skilled)
Open visa guide →
- Rank 2Score 86
Work / Employment Visa
Work · 4-16 weeks (End-to-end processing incorporating corporate COE and consular stamping).
Matches work pathway signals (work, employment)
Open visa guide →
- Rank 3Score 78
Business Manager Visa
Business / Management · 3-6 months
Matches work pathway signals (business)
Open visa guide →
Route comparison
Top pathways for work
Compare published visa routes on this corridor — not a eligibility guarantee.
Work / Employment Visa
Best matchWork · 4-16 weeks (End-to-end processing incorporating corporate COE and consular stamping).
Fees: Single Entry Visa Consular Fee: ¥15,000 (Effective July 1, 2026) · Multiple Entry Visa Consular Fee: ¥30,000 (Effective July 1, 2026)
Open visa guide →
Highly Skilled Professional
Strong alternativeWork / Accelerated Residency · 1-3 months (COE issuance).
Fees: Visa Application Fee: Confirm via local embassy (Standard work visa fees apply) · COE Application: Free
Open visa guide →
Engineer / Specialist in Humanities
ConsiderWork · 1-3 months (COE issuance) + 1-2 weeks (visa processing).
Fees: COE Application: ¥0 · Single Entry Visa: ¥15,000 (Effective July 1, 2026) (+1 more)
Open visa guide →
Timeline tracker
If you apply today
Estimates from published processing times for Japan. Always confirm on the official portal.
| Visa | Processing (published) | Est. weeks | Apply by (estimate) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Manager Visa | 3-6 months | 26 | — |
| Digital Nomad Visa (Designated Activities) | 4-8 weeks | 8 | — |
| Engineer / Specialist in Humanities | 1-3 months (COE issuance) + 1-2 weeks (visa processing). | 2 | — |
| Family / Spouse Visa | 3-4 months (COE issuance) + 1-2 weeks (visa issuance) | 2 | — |
| Highly Skilled Professional | 1-3 months (COE issuance). | 13 | — |
Risk awareness
Scams, laws & mistakes — Japan
Review before paying fees or sharing documents. Report suspicious offers via our scam check tool.
- Scam alertmediumDocument Translation, Notary, or Apostille Overcharge
In Japan, many newcomers, including visa applicants, families, students, and workers, may find themselves targeted by fraudulent agents…
- Scam alertmediumFake Border, Airport, or Fast-Track Assistance Fee
In Japan, a common scam involves individuals impersonating airport staff, immigration officers, or travel agents. These scammers may…
- Scam alertmediumFake University or Scholarship Letter
In Japan, prospective students and their families are increasingly targeted by fraudsters offering fake university admissions,…
- Scam alertmediumRental Deposit Before Viewing or Contract
In Japan, newcomers sometimes hit housing scams where fake apartments are advertised to pressure them into paying a deposit before they…
- LawcriticalWork Authorisation Rules
In Japan, obtaining the appropriate visa is important for anyone planning to work. Not all visas that allow entry into the country permit…
- LawhighTax Residency and Income Reporting
In Japan, tax residency is determined by your physical presence in the country. If you live in Japan for more than one year, you are…
- LawcriticalImmigration Status and Overstay Rules
In Japan, your right to stay is strictly tied to the type of visa, residence permit, entry stamp, or visa exemption you possess. You…
- Common mistakeadvisory
Paying unlicensed consultants who promise guaranteed visa approval
Common corridor planning mistake — verify with official sources.
- Common mistakeadvisory
Using unofficial payment links instead of government portals
Common corridor planning mistake — verify with official sources.
- Common mistakeadvisory
Submitting incomplete proof-of-funds or outdated bank statements
Common corridor planning mistake — verify with official sources.
Corridor feed
Guides, answers & people
- ArticleJapan Plans to Reopen SSW Meal Service Intake for Hospitals and Schools
Japan plans to move hospital, care home and school meal preparation into the food and beverage manufacturing quota, reopening SSW(i) intake for those kitchens while restaurants stay frozen. Here is what moves now and what to do.
- ArticleCanada Closes Hong Kong Permanent Residence Pathways After 31 August 2026
IRCC closed Hong Kong permanent residence pathways to new filings on 31 August 2026. Accepted files still process. Eligible applicants keep an open work permit route through 05/2029.
- ArticleJapan Raises Permanent Residence Fee to 200,000 Yen From 1 October 2026
Japan's Cabinet set a 200,000 yen permanent residence fee on 25 August 2026, up from 10,000 yen, starting 1 October. Renewal fees also leave the old 6,000 yen flat rate. File before 30 September to keep current prices.
- ArticleNew Schengen Border Restrictions and U.S. Visa Reorganizations Are Transforming
Critical global immigration and cross-border mobility shifts for August 18, 2026. Key developments include the European Union's multi-nation extension of internal Schengen border controls with expanded enforcement rights, the U.S. State Department's operational realignment of visa processing across Africa into 20 designated regional hubs, Portugal's AIMA digital queueing mandate for non-EU residence renewals, and Japan's ISA enforcement of wage linkage for Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) holders.
- ArticleQatar Trims Expat Departure Window, Japan Revises Visa Fee Structure, Poland Mandates EU Residence Card Replacements
Immigration authorities across the Middle East, East Asia, Europe, and Eurasia have enacted critical administrative adjustments affecting worker departures, visa fee structures, and document validity. Prominent directives include Qatar's reduction of post-cancellation grace periods, Japan's updated consular fee schedules, and Poland's mandatory replacement of legacy EU residence documentation.
- ArticleBelgium Raised Visa Fees & How Japan Integrated Residence Cards: August 2026 Global Mobility Digest & 2026 Policy Summary
Expanding our global surveillance across 180+ jurisdictions, Belgium has increased its Visa D fee while introducing the Flanders Regional Retribution, Japan has launched the integrated Specified Residence Card, and Armenia extended visa exemptions to 111 nations. Read our digest alongside a strategic executive summary of the major 2026 global immigration shifts.
- Q&AWhat do I need to know about the Japan travel visa for Indian citizens?
Indian citizens must apply for a Japan travel visa before they can enter Japan. The application process typically…
- Q&AWhat should I know about the Japan visa for Filipinos?
Filipinos planning to visit Japan need to apply for a visa before their trip. There are several types of visas…
- Q&AWhat should I know about obtaining a visit visa in Japan for Filipinos?
Filipino citizens typically need a visa to visit Japan. You must apply at the Japanese embassy or consulate, providing…
- Q&AWhat should I know about visa requirements for Japan from the Philippines?
Filipino citizens need a visa to enter Japan for tourism or business. Required documents include a valid passport,…
- Q&AWhat should I know about the Japan tourist visa for Indian citizens?
Indian citizens planning to visit Japan for tourism need to apply for a tourist visa. Required documents typically…
- Q&AWhat should I know about getting a visa for Japan from the Philippines?
To obtain a visa for Japan from the Philippines, you need to apply at the nearest Japanese embassy or consulate.…
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Hong Kong
🇭🇰Country migration profile
hong-kong-sar-china
View country guide →
Japan
🇯🇵Capital: Tokyo · Asia
japan
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Corridor Snapshot
- Cost of living delta: -27.7 index points
- Net salary delta: +1548 per month
- Destination capital: Tokyo
Move Timeline
- - 6-12 months: choose visa pathway, budget, and document plan
- - 3-6 months: gather proof of funds, translations, employment or study evidence
- - 1-3 months: confirm housing, insurance, travel, and arrival documents
- - First 30 days: complete local registration, banking, healthcare, phone, and safety setup
Official corridor links
- Hong Kong official immigration source
Use for departure, passport, and local exit obligations where relevant.
- Japan official immigration source
Use for visa eligibility, forms, fees, appointments, and entry rules.
Top Visa Options
Assumptions & Limits
- - Corridor guidance combines structured country, visa, law, cost, and scam-alert data.
- - Official government portals override MigrantIQ summaries for eligibility, fees, forms, and appointments.
- - Cost and salary deltas are directional signals, not personal budget guarantees.
- - Use licensed advice for case-specific immigration or legal decisions.
Sources & Official Links
- MigrantIQ country and corridor data
Structured data from country, visa, law, and scam alert records.
- Immigration Services Agency of Japan
Official destination source for current visa and entry rules.
Continue with official planning
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Plan Hong Kong → Japan
Quick links from MigrantIQ for this corridor — visas, tools, Q&A, and stories.
Tools
Visas in Japan
- Business Manager VisaBusiness / Management
- Digital Nomad Visa (Designated Activities)Remote Work / Migration
- Engineer / Specialist in HumanitiesWork
- Family / Spouse VisaFamily
- Highly Skilled ProfessionalWork / Accelerated Residency
- Permanent Residency / SettlementResidency
- Short-Term Stay (Tourist)Tourist
- Spouse of Japanese NationalFamily
Popular Q&A
- What do I need to know about the Japan travel visa for Indian citizens?
- What should I know about the Japan visa for Filipinos?
- What should I know about obtaining a visit visa in Japan for Filipinos?
- What should I know about visa requirements for Japan from the Philippines?
- What should I know about the Japan tourist visa for Indian citizens?
- What should I know about getting a visa for Japan from the Philippines?
Japan embassies & consulates in Hong Kong
Where to apply from Hong Kong for visas and consular services to Japan. 1 active mission listed. Always confirm with the mission before you apply.
- Consulate General of Japan in Hongkong, Hongkong — Consulate General, Hongkong
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Frequently Asked Questions
You can choose from several visa options when moving to Japan, including the Business Manager Visa, Digital Nomad Visa, Engineer/Specialist in Humanities Visa, Family/Spouse Visa, and Highly Skilled Professional Visa. Each visa has specific requirements and purposes, so you should review the details on the official Japanese immigration website.
You will need essential documents such as your passport, proof of income, and any required translations. Depending on your visa type, additional documents may include a business plan, employment contract, or marriage certificate. Check with official sources for a complete list of requirements based on your chosen visa.
Be ready for initial expenses like housing, transportation, and daily living costs. Although the cost of living in Japan is lower than in Hong Kong, you should have enough savings to cover at least your first month. Research average rental prices and typical costs in your area to create a budget.
Be cautious of scams related to document services, such as overcharges for translation or notarization. Also, watch out for fake rental agreements that require deposits before viewing properties. Always verify offers and contracts before making any payments.
The visa application process duration can vary based on the type of visa and individual circumstances. Some applications may take a few weeks, while others could take longer. Check with the Japanese embassy or consulate for estimated processing times for your specific visa type.
In your first month, focus on settling in. Register your address with local authorities, open a bank account, and obtain a Japanese phone number. Learn about public transportation and local customs. Make sure to have your residence status documented and comply with any local regulations.