Your finances by visa type
Different visas mean different financial rules. Find the guidance that applies to you.
Work Visa
技術・人文知識・国際業務The most common visa for foreign professionals in Japan — covering IT engineers, translators, marketing staff, and other skilled workers.
税 Tax
- • Income tax is withheld at source (源泉徴収) by your employer every month
- • 年末調整 (year-end adjustment) handles most tax obligations — you usually do NOT need to file 確定申告
- • You must file 確定申告 if you have side income over ¥200,000 or want to claim special deductions
- • Resident tax (住民税) is deducted from your salary starting June of the following year
保 Insurance
- • Enrolled in 社会保険 (employer-based social insurance) automatically
- • Health insurance covers 70% of medical costs — your employer pays roughly half the premium
- • 雇用保険 (employment insurance) provides unemployment benefits if you lose your job
年 Pension
- • 厚生年金 (employee pension) + 国民年金 (basic pension) — both are mandatory
- • Premiums are 18.3% of salary, split 50/50 with your employer
- • Eligible for 脱退一時金 (pension refund) if you leave Japan after 6+ months
投 Investment
- • NISA: Fully eligible — open a tax-free investment account at any major broker
- • iDeCo: Eligible with contribution limits based on your employer's pension setup
- • You'll need マイナンバー to open a brokerage account
不 Property
- • Can buy property freely — no restrictions based on visa type
- • Mortgage possible at some banks even without permanent residency (PR)
- • Banks like Shinsei, SMBC Prestia, and some regional banks are more foreigner-friendly
Related guides
Spouse Visa
配偶者等For those married to a Japanese national or permanent resident. Offers significant flexibility in employment and financial access.
税 Tax
- • If employed: same as work visa — 源泉徴収 + 年末調整 by your employer
- • If not working: no income tax, but you may need to file if you have investment income or other earnings
- • If your income is under ¥1.03M/year, your spouse can claim 配偶者控除 (spouse deduction)
保 Insurance
- • If employed: enrolled in 社会保険 through your own employer
- • If dependant (income under ¥1.3M/year): covered under your spouse's 社会保険 at no extra cost
- • If neither: must enroll in 国民健康保険 at city hall
年 Pension
- • If employed: 厚生年金 via employer (same as work visa)
- • If dependant: 国民年金 Category 3 — enrolled automatically with no premiums to pay
- • Still eligible for 脱退一時金 if you leave Japan
投 Investment
- • NISA and iDeCo: fully eligible, same as any resident
- • No restrictions on opening brokerage accounts
不 Property
- • Easier mortgage approval than work visa holders — having a Japanese spouse is viewed favorably by banks
- • Many banks offer standard mortgage products to spouse visa holders
- • Can apply for 住宅ローン控除 tax credit on mortgage interest
Related guides
Permanent Resident
永住者Full access to Japan's financial system. Same rights and obligations as Japanese nationals in virtually all financial matters.
税 Tax
- • Same tax obligations as Japanese nationals — taxed on worldwide income
- • All income sources globally must be reported, including overseas investments, rental income, and pensions
- • All deductions and credits are fully available
保 Insurance
- • Same as any Japanese resident — 社会保険 if employed, 国民健康保険 if self-employed
- • Full access to 高額療養費制度 (high-cost medical expense system)
年 Pension
- • Full pension rights — can receive full retirement benefits after 10+ years of contributions
- • With PR, you're more likely to stay long-term, making the pension investment worthwhile
投 Investment
- • Full NISA and iDeCo access with no restrictions
- • All brokers accept PR holders — widest selection of financial products
不 Property
- • Best mortgage terms available — all banks, all products, competitive interest rates
- • No restrictions on フラット35, major bank loans, or regional bank products
- • Same property tax obligations as Japanese owners (固定資産税, 都市計画税)
Related guides
Student Visa
留学For those studying at a Japanese educational institution. Limited work hours but still subject to Japan's tax and insurance systems.
税 Tax
- • Part-time work income is subject to 源泉徴収 (tax withholding at source)
- • If your annual income is under ¥1.03M, you may get a full refund via 確定申告
- • Work is limited to 28 hours/week during term, 40 hours during school breaks
保 Insurance
- • Must enroll in 国民健康保険 (National Health Insurance) at city hall
- • Premiums are income-based — students with low income pay reduced rates
- • Covers 70% of medical costs, same as employer-based insurance
年 Pension
- • 国民年金 is mandatory for residents aged 20-59, including students
- • Students can apply for 学生納付特例 (student payment exemption) to defer payments
- • Exempted periods still count toward the 10-year qualification period for receiving a pension
投 Investment
- • NISA is technically available if you have a residence card and マイナンバー
- • In practice, most students focus on studies rather than investing — but there is no legal restriction
不 Property
- • Can buy property in cash, but getting a mortgage on a student visa is extremely difficult
- • Most students rent — understanding 敷金/礼金 and lease terms is more relevant
Related guides
Freelancer / Self-Employed
個人事業主（各種ビザ）Working independently in Japan on various visa types (work visa, spouse visa, PR). You handle your own taxes, insurance, and pension.
税 Tax
- • Must file 確定申告 every year — no employer handles your taxes
- • Register as 個人事業主 with a 開業届 at your local tax office
- • Use 青色申告 (blue form filing) for up to ¥650,000 in special deductions
- • Can deduct all legitimate business expenses (home office, equipment, travel, subscriptions)
- • Consider the インボイス制度 (Invoice System) if you work with Japanese businesses
保 Insurance
- • Must enroll in 国民健康保険 at city hall — premiums are income-based
- • No employer subsidy — you pay the full premium yourself
- • Consider joining a 文芸美術国民健康保険組合 if you qualify (lower premiums for creatives)
年 Pension
- • 国民年金 only — no 厚生年金 without an employer
- • Flat rate of approximately ¥16,980/month
- • Can supplement with iDeCo (up to ¥68,000/month) or 国民年金基金
投 Investment
- • NISA: fully eligible
- • iDeCo: higher contribution limits (¥68,000/month) than employees — a major advantage
- • Contributions to iDeCo and 小規模企業共済 are fully tax-deductible
不 Property
- • Mortgage approval is harder for self-employed — most banks require 3+ years of tax returns showing stable income
- • フラット35 is often the best option for freelancers
- • Higher down payment (20-30%) may be required
Leaving Japan
出国（各種ビザ）Planning to leave Japan permanently? There are important financial steps to complete before departure, regardless of your visa type.
税 Tax
- • File 準確定申告 (quasi-final return) before departing, or appoint a 納税管理人 (tax agent)
- • Resident tax (住民税) for the current year is still owed — arrange payment before leaving
- • If leaving mid-year, your employer performs a special 年末調整 at your departure date
- • January 1 determines your resident tax — leaving before January 1 can avoid a full year of 住民税
年 Pension
- • Apply for 脱退一時金 (Lump-Sum Withdrawal Payment) within 2 years of departure
- • Refund covers up to 5 years of contributions
- • 20.42% income tax is withheld — you can claim part back by filing a tax return through your 納税管理人
- • Check if your country has a totalization agreement with Japan before claiming the refund
投 Investment
- • NISA account is frozen when you lose residency — no new investments allowed
- • Existing NISA holdings may be moved to a taxable 特定口座
- • iDeCo: cannot contribute after leaving, but funds remain until age 60 (no withdrawal)
- • Contact your broker well before departure to understand the procedures
保 Insurance
- • Cancel 国民健康保険 or notify your employer about your 社会保険 end date
- • Health insurance ends on your departure date — arrange travel insurance for your move
- • Final premium payments may be required
銀 Banking
- • Most bank accounts will be closed when you lose residency — withdraw or transfer funds
- • Some banks (SMBC Prestia, Sony Bank) allow limited non-resident accounts
- • Cancel all automatic payments (自動引き落とし) before closing accounts
- • Complete any outstanding remittances while you still have an active account
Important
Visa type affects your financial obligations, but individual circumstances vary. The information above covers the most common scenarios. For complex situations (multiple income sources, business ownership, international tax treaties), consult a licensed 税理士 (tax accountant) or financial planner. This guide is for educational purposes only.
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