How to move to Japan, planned for you.
Answer 11 quick questions and plan your career in Japan: the visa routes that fit you, a month-by-month timeline, total costs in your city, and the 2026 rules that affect you.
9 routes compared25 countries' costs5 citiesOct 16, 2026 rates updated
What do you want to do?
Every route into Japan
Language school, vocational school or a degree, then a job
- Language school → jobLearn Japanese in Japan for 1–2 years, then job-hunt locally.1.5–2.5 years
- Language school → vocational school → jobNo degree? Get a Japanese vocational diploma (専門士) that qualifies for a work visa.3–4 years
- Master's degree in JapanStudy a 2-year English-taught Master's, then job-hunt with campus support.2–3 years
- MBA in JapanA 1–2 year English MBA to move into management or strategy.1–2 years
Rules and changes
What changed recently
- Oct 2026 intakeN5 test proof for language schoolThe 150-hour study certificate alone no longer qualifies. You need JLPT N5, NAT-TEST, J.TEST, or a documented school interview. Japanese & JLPT
- Apr 15, 2026N2 for many work visasCustomer-facing or language-heavy roles at smaller companies (Category 3–4) need JLPT N2 or BJT 400+. Pure engineering roles and large companies are exempt. Visas & rules
- Oct 1, 2026Visa fees jumpSame for every visa type: ¥10K (≤3 months) to ¥75K (5+ years) at the counter, cheaper online. Permanent residence: ¥200K. Visas & rules
Questions people ask before they move
How do I move to Japan as a foreigner?
There are 9 main routes: language school then a job, language school then vocational school, direct hire from abroad, an internal transfer, a Master's or an MBA in Japan, Specified Skilled Worker (SSW), a Working Holiday and the startup visa. Which one fits depends on your degree, field, Japanese level, budget and age. The free path finder ranks them for you in 11 questions.
How do I plan a career in Japan?
Start from where you are: your degree and field decide which work visas you qualify for, your Japanese level decides which companies will hire you, and your budget decides whether you can study first. Pick a route, set a JLPT target, then work back to a month-by-month timeline. Musubi builds that plan for you, with costs in your currency.
Can I work in Japan without speaking Japanese?
Yes, in some roles. Many IT and engineering jobs hire without Japanese, and English-taught Master's and MBA programs need none to enter. From April 15, 2026, customer-facing or language-heavy roles at smaller companies need JLPT N2 or BJT 400+, so most other jobs still expect N2.
How long does it take to reach JLPT N2?
From zero, full-time language school usually takes about 21 to 24 months to reach N2. That is roughly 1,600 to 2,800 study hours if your language does not use kanji, or 1,150 to 1,800 hours if it does. Studying N5 to N4 at home before you go cuts months of tuition and rent.
What is the fastest way to get a job in Japan?
An internal transfer is fastest at about 3 to 6 months. Direct hire takes 2 to 9 months and is less certain. SSW takes 3 to 9 months and needs JLPT N4 or JFT-Basic plus a skills test. A Working Holiday starts right away but lasts one year and is only open to some nationalities.
What changed for Japan visas in 2026?
Language schools need JLPT N5 or a similar test from the October 2026 intake. Many work visas need N2 for customer-facing roles from April 15, 2026. Visa fees rise from October 1, 2026, to between ¥10K and ¥75K at the counter, and ¥200K for permanent residence. Applicants from the Philippines, Nepal and Vietnam also need TB screening.
How much money do I need to move to Japan?
It depends on your route and city. Language school routes need the most, because you pay tuition and living costs before you earn. Direct hire and internal transfers need the least. City choice alone can change living costs by about 40%. The cost planner adds tuition, rent, move-in, flights and insurance in your currency.
Is the Japan Career Guide free?
Yes. It is free, needs no sign-up and keeps your answers on your device. When you are ready to study, NihonSensei gives you a structured JLPT N5 → N2 path, mock tests and a live AI voice tutor.
