Whether you’re already in Japan or hoping to make the move, you might be wondering how to stay in Japan as a freelancer. No need to worry though, as we’re here to guide you. In this article, we’ll take a look at:

1. How do freelancers stay in Japan?
2. Visa categories that allow for freelancing
3. How to find work
4. Learning Japanese

1. How Do Freelancers Stay in Japan?

Short answer – a valid work visa will allow you to enter and stay in the country. However, keep in mind that in most cases, you’ll need at least one Japan-based company to act as your sponsor and provide the documents you need to obtain your visa. However, you can also have more than one job at the same time. If you (a) have a valid work visa, (b) work within your designated visa category, (c) make enough money to sustain yourself, and (d) pay your taxes every year, you should not have any issues renewing your visa when the time comes. If in doubt, check the Immigration Services Agency of Japan website for the most up-to-date information.

2. Visa Categories That Allow for Freelancing

Japan does not offer a freelance or a self-sponsored visa, but there are a number of other visa categories that will allow you to work freelance.

Long-Term Visa Categories

The Dependent (Family Stays), Spouse or child of a Japanese national, Spouse of permanent resident and Long-term resident visa categories will allow you to live and work in Japan without any restrictions

Work-Based Visa Categories

In order to freelance on a work visa, you will have to prove that you make around 2,000,000 yen a year (or 200,000 yen a month) and are sponsored by at least one Japan-based company that’ll provide you with the necessary documents. This company is considered your primary place of employment and takes precedence over other jobs. If you meet these criteria, you should be able to freelance on an Artist, Religious activities, Journalist, Business Manager, Legal/Accounting services, Medical services, Researcher, Instructor, Engineer/Specialist in humanities/International services, Intra-company transferee, Nursing care or Entertainer visa.

Pro tip: the Engineer/Specialist in humanities/International services category is probably the broadest and allows for much more flexibility than others.

3. How to Find Work

You’ve got your visa sorted, and next it’s time to make some yen. Some things you can do to help you land freelance gigs are:

Networking

Going to meetups and other industry events are a great way to meet people in your industry.

Reaching Out Directly

There’s nothing wrong with just getting in touch with people you’re interested in working with. LinkedIn is a great resource for job hunting, as well as digital networking.

Joining a Community

Communities like Creative Tokyo are supportive spaces and also great for networking. Finding industry-specific groups on social media is another.

Talking To Your Friends

As we tend to befriend like-minded people, you might find that your friends know people in your industry. They may also have some fresh ideas – after all, two heads are better than one!

Keeping Your Portfolio up to Date

Being able to immediately show a potential client your most up-to-date work and feedback from previous customers can elevate you above the competition.

4. Learning Japanese

Although you can technically get by without Japanese (particularly in big cities like Tokyo or Osaka), you’ll have an easier time with some proficiency. Many people don’t speak English, so it’s helpful for daily interactions. Furthermore, some government documents (like visa applications) may be bilingual, but the vast majority are not. This also goes for banks and other institutions. Check out our article on your options for learning Japanese to help get you started.

Need Career Guidance?

Inbound Technology can help. Our friendly career advisors are waiting to hear from you – get in touch here. We’re also on LinkedIn.