Japan
Korea Visa Guide
Japan and South Korea have one of the world's most integrated bilateral relationships — Japanese citizens enjoy 90-day visa-free entry with no K-ETA requirement through 2026, and Korea's immigration system offers multiple pathways from short visits to long-term residency. With over 420,000 Japanese nationals and Zainichi Koreans in Korea, this guide covers every option.
No K-ETA required (suspended until 31 Dec 2026)
Japanese passport holders can enter Korea visa-free for up to 90 days without applying for K-ETA. The suspension runs through 31 December 2026. From 1 January 2027, K-ETA may be required again unless the exemption is extended.
Visa-free stay
90 days (tourism/business)
K-ETA required?
No — suspended until 31 Dec 2026
E-2 treaty country?
No
Working Holiday eligible?
Yes (age 18–30)
Japanese in Korea
420,000+ (Zainichi Koreans + Japanese nationals)
Korean Embassy in Japan
Tokyo + Consulates in Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka, Sapporo, Hiroshima, Sendai, Niigata
Skilled Worker
PopularJapanese professionals are in strong demand in Korean tech, manufacturing, gaming, finance, and design industries. E-7 requires employer sponsorship. Japanese language skills are a valued bonus given Japan–Korea business ties.
Student
PopularStudy at Korean universities — popular for Japanese students interested in Korean language, K-pop, business, or engineering programs. Many universities have direct exchange agreements.
Working Holiday
PopularJapanese citizens aged 18–30 can apply for the Working Holiday visa. One of Korea's most active working holiday partnerships, with a large quota. 1-year stay, work permission.
Digital Nomad
Japan-based remote workers earning $84,000+/year can apply for Korea's Digital Nomad visa — live in Korea for up to 2 years while working for Japanese employers.
Language Study
Study Korean at a university language institute. Very popular among Japanese students as a cultural and career investment. 1-year initial grant.
Marriage Migrant
Japanese spouses of Korean nationals can live and work in Korea on F-6, leading to F-5 permanent residency after 2 years of cohabitation.
Corporate Investment / Startup
Japanese entrepreneurs can invest ₩100M+ in a Korean corporation (D-8-1) or qualify through the D-8-4 startup points system. Japan–Korea joint ventures are common.
Do Japanese citizens need a visa to visit Korea?
No. Japanese passport holders can enter South Korea visa-free for up to 90 days. K-ETA is currently suspended through 31 December 2026, so no pre-travel application is needed. Simply arrive at the port of entry with your passport.
Can Japanese nationals work in Korea?
Yes, with the appropriate work visa. E-7 (Skilled Worker) is the most common path — it requires an employer in Korea to sponsor you. Other options include E-2 (note: Japan is not an E-2 treaty country, so E-2 is not available for Japanese nationals), E-3 (researcher), E-4 (technology transfer), and D-8 (investment/startup). H-1 (Working Holiday) lets you work for 1 year.
What is the Working Holiday visa for Japanese citizens?
H-1 Working Holiday allows Japanese citizens aged 18–30 to live and work in Korea for 1 year (sometimes extendable). You can work in most industries — restaurants, retail, hospitality, and many office environments hire Japanese speakers. Apply at the Korean Embassy in Tokyo or one of the consulates in Japan.
How do I get Korean permanent residency as a Japanese national?
The most common path: secure an E-7 work visa → accumulate K-Points (F-2-7 threshold: 80+) → apply for F-2-7 long-term residency → hold F-2 for 5 years → apply for F-5 permanent residency. Strong Japanese language credentials, Korean TOPIK scores, and a high salary all boost K-Points. Total minimum timeline: 3–5 years.
What documents do Japanese citizens need for a long-term Korean visa?
For long-term visas (D-2, E-7, etc.), Japanese applicants typically need: passport (valid 6+ months), visa application form, passport photo, purpose-specific documents (admission letter for D-2, employment contract for E-7), financial proof, and a criminal background check. Japanese documents do not need apostille — Japan is a Hague Convention member, so apostilled documents are accepted, but Japanese immigration officers can also verify through bilateral channels.
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