Planning a trip from Japan to the UK? Whether you’re visiting for tourism, joining your partner, business, or study, understanding the UK visa process is essential. This guide outlines what Japanese citizens need to apply for a UK visa, including the required documents, application steps, and helpful tips for a smooth experience.
Benefits of UK Visa for Japanese Citizens:
Japanese citizens who want to move to the UK can take advantage of numerous advantages, such as:
- Travelling inside the UK and abroad is made simple by an outstanding transit system and a robust and vibrant economy.
- A number of highly skilled and well-paying jobs are available.
- It is simple to start and operate a business here because there is little “red tape” or business administration-rich cultural heritage (such as theatre, music, and museums). There are world-class universities, including Oxford, Cambridge, Edinburgh, St Andrews, and University College London (UCL), as well as beautiful cities, villages, mountains, hills, lakes, and rural areas.
UK Visa for Japanese citizens – Legal Immigration Requirements:
You must get an immigration visa from the UK’s Home Office in order to relocate from Japan to the UK, whether for employment, education, business, or to be with family. Since every visa has different legal criteria, it’s crucial to confirm your eligibility before applying. The legal prerequisites for some of the most common visas are shown below (please notice that this list of visas is not exhaustive):
Also Read: UK Visa Requirements for Turkish Citizens (2025)
Types of UK Visa for Japanese citizens:
UK Skilled Worker Visa:
For a maximum of five years, foreign nationals, including Japanese residents, are permitted to reside and work in the UK under the skilled worker visa. Crucially, after five years of continuous residency and citizenship one year later, this visa offers a route to permanent residence (also known as indefinite leave to remain, or ILR). In order to apply for a Japanese national skilled worker visa, you need to:
- Possess a job offer from a UK company that has a sponsor license.
- Possess a minimum yearly income of £38,700, or the “going rate” for your profession.
Note: If you hold a PhD, a position on the UK government’s immigration salary list, or are a recent hire, you can be eligible for a reduced yearly income. Pass an authorised Secure English Language Test (SELT) to demonstrate that you meet the English language requirements.
UK Student Visa:
Japanese nationals can attend a UK university, college, or school with a UK student visa. To apply for a student visa, you must:
- Be at least 16 years old.
- Possess a course placement offer from an authorised education provider.
- Have enough money saved to sustain yourself and fulfil the English language proficiency criteria.
- Upon completion of your studies, you will have the opportunity to apply for a Graduate visa if you wish to stay longer in the UK.
- You can stay in the UK for up to 24 months with a post-study work visa in order to obtain skilled work. After that, you can convert to a skilled worker visa, which will put you on the route to citizenship and permanent residency.
Also Read: How to Apply for a UK Visa from Thailand
UK Innovator Founder Visa:
The Innovator Founder visa is the ideal immigration path for Japanese business people and entrepreneurs looking to launch a new venture in the UK. Instead of the five years needed for most other visas, this one offers an expedited route to permanent settlement in the UK after just three years. Applying for a visa as an innovator founder requires you to:
- 18 years of age or older
- Have a concept for a brand-new, specific, profitable, and expandable company, and get a UK endorsing body to support it.
UK Family Visa:
Under the UK family visa, foreigners, including Japanese nationals, can move to the country to live with close relatives who have already made the country their home. Your partner or spouse, parent, or child must be in the UK in order for you to apply for a family visa. Whether you are joining a parent, child, or spouse will determine the precise legal conditions you must fulfil in order to obtain a family visa as a Japanese native. For example, to be eligible to apply for a partner visa or spouse, you need to:
- Possess a total income of £29,000, which can be acquired via investments, pensions, savings, or income, and satisfy the English language proficiency criteria.
- You can stay in the UK for up to five years while on a family visa, after which you can apply for citizenship and permanent residency one year later.
Also Read: How to Apply for UK Spouse Visa from Philippines
How do you set up your finances in the UK?
At the very least, you should think about your banking arrangements, UK national insurance, and taxes while establishing your accounts in the UK. We advise against opening a bank account until you are in the UK. A permanent UK address and identification documentation are required as part of the application process.
You can utilise a bank-to-bank transfer service or a specialised money transfer service like OFX and Wise if you need to move money from your Japanese bank to the UK. If you decide on the latter, be sure the costs and exchange rate are reasonable and always work with a trustworthy provider.
Conclusion:
Process of a UK visa for Japanese citizens involves careful planning, the right visa choice, and understanding UK immigration rules. Whether it’s for work, study, or joining family, each step matters. My Legal Services provides expert advice and personalised support to make your UK immigration journey smooth, compliant, and stress-free from start to finish.