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.
Reviewed against
James Chae, 행정사 (Korean Licensed Administrative Attorney). License No. 220-06-06463 · 대한행정사회 (Korean Administrative Agents Association). Reviewed against the HiKorea 사증·체류업무 자격별 안내 매뉴얼 and cross-checked with Ministry of Justice issuances.
Last reviewed
April 22, 2026
Source references
Nationality-table sections covering Japan's visa-exempt short-stay treatment, K-ETA suspension handling, and consular routing notes.
Visa-type issuance sections supporting the main Japan-facing pathways, especially D-2, E-7, F-6, and business-entry routes.
Filing caution
Requirements can change by nationality, local immigration office, and filing channel. Confirm exact requirements with HiKorea, the responsible Korean consulate, or a licensed immigration specialist before filing.
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
Based on common visa paths for citizens of Japan, here are the most useful next steps.
E-7 Visa — Document Checklist
Complete printable document checklist for the South Korea E-7 visa. Check off items as you prepare your application.
Countries with Korean Visa Exemption
Check whether your nationality qualifies for visa-free entry to South Korea, and for how long.
Korean Visa Fee Guide 2025
Official fees charged by the Korea Immigration Service for visa issuance, extension, and status change. All amounts are in Korean Won (KRW).
Korea Visa Processing Times 2025: D-4, E-7, F-Series & More
Real-world Korean visa processing times for D-4, E-7, F-5, E-9 and more — official estimates vs. actual wait times, and how to speed up your application.
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
Country guideJapanese 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.
Verified professionals who can help with your visa application
Mr. Visa Korea lists certified immigration administrative agents (행정사) who have been verified by our team. Book a consultation directly — no cold calls, no guessing.
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Certified & reviewed
All agents on Mr. Visa Korea are certified immigration administrative agents (행정사) registered in Korea.
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Written by James Chae — Co-Founder, Expert Sapiens
Platform expertise: Immigration consulting & visa services · Reviewed April 2026
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