Residence of Japanese citizens
All information on the stay of Japanese citizens in Germany and on visa applications from Japan.
Here you learn ...
which entry regulations apply to Japanese in Germany
how Japanese get a residence permit in Germany
Agreements between Japan and Germany on visa law
Details on the founding of a company by Japanese people in Germany
Author
Lawyer
Reading Time
9 Min.
Release Date
09.02.2025
Table of Content
1. Visa-free entry for Japanese
1.1 Stay up to 90 days
1.2 No work during visa-free stay
2. Apply for a visa at the embassy in Tokyo
3. Residence permit for Japanese citizens in Berlin
4. Easier company formation for Japanese
5. FAQ Japanese in Germany
Due to the political and cultural relations between Germany and Japan, Japanese nationals enjoy special privileges when applying for residence permits. This is not only reflected in the possibility of visa-free entry to Germany (see the visa list of the Federal Foreign Office), but also in the simplified residence procedure: unlike other nationals who can enter the country without a visa, Japanese nationals can apply for their residence permit directly from the relevant immigration authority in Germany after entering the country. For other nationalities, however, an application for a corresponding visa from the German diplomatic mission in their home country is required before entering the country. The legal basis for this special regulation is Section 41 of the Residence Ordinance (AufenthV).
1. Visa-free entry for Japanese
Japanese nationals can enter Germany without a visa, provided they meet the general requirements of the Schengen Borders Code (see Article 6 of the Schengen Borders Code, EU Regulation 2016/399). This primarily includes possession of a valid passport, which must have at least one blank page for the entry stamp. In addition, people from Japan must prove the purpose of their stay upon entry and be able to prove their financial independence for the duration of their stay. For example, for business trips, a letter of invitation from the host company and a hotel booking are required.
1.1 Stay up to 90 days
Japanese nationals may stay in Germany for up to 90 days within a 180-day period after visa-free entry in accordance with Section 41 of the Residence Ordinance. The EU Commission provides the so-called “Schengen calculator” to calculate this 90-day period precisely. If the stay is extended beyond 90 days, an application for a residence permit from the responsible immigration authorities is required during the visa-free stay. In this case, the so-called “fictitious effect” applies in accordance with Section 81 Paragraph 3 of the Residence Act. This allows legal residence in Germany until the immigration authorities have decided on the application. A fictitious certificate can be issued until the final decision is made. You can find detailed information on this in our VISAGUARD guide to applying for a fictitious certificate .
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1.2 No work during visa-free stay
Visa-free entry for Japanese nationals is generally only permitted if no gainful employment is carried out in Germany. For every form of gainful employment - regardless of origin from a privileged state such as Japan - either a corresponding visa or a residence permit is required (see Section 4a Paragraph 1 of the Residence Act). An exception is the so-called " non-employment fiction " according to Section 30 of the Employment Ordinance. These allow Japanese nationals to carry out certain activities during their visa-free stay without a special permit, although the scope of these activities is very limited. Frequently used permit-free activities include business trips or participation in trade fairs. However, it should be noted that making use of these exceptions is associated with risks: If the permitted activity is exceeded, this is illegal employment, which can be punished with high penalties . The independent VISAGUARD experts are happy to assist you with an individual assessment of whether your activity as a Japanese national in Germany requires a work permit.
2. Apply for a visa at the embassy in Tokyo
If you are a Japanese citizen and intend to work full-time in Germany, it is generally recommended that you apply for a visa at the German Embassy in Tokyo before entering the country (see the website of the German Embassy in Japan). The embassy provides an overview of the documents required for the visa application on its website.
Once you have gathered all the necessary documents, you can book an appointment to apply for a visa using the so-called RK visa system. Once the visa has been successfully checked and issued by the embassy in Tokyo, nothing stands in the way of you entering Germany and starting work. You can find detailed information on the application process in our VISAGUARD guide to visa applications .
3. Residence permit for Japanese citizens in Berlin
If you are already in Germany and want to apply for a residence permit as a Japanese citizen, you must contact your relevant immigration authority . In Berlin, for example, residence permits for Japanese citizens are issued by the State Office for Immigration (LEA) . The State Office for Immigration provides special information for Japanese citizens on its website . If you, as a Japanese citizen, want to apply for a residence permit from the Berlin immigration authority in accordance with Section 26 Paragraph 1 of the Residence Ordinance, you must submit the following documents:
Valid passport
employment contract
rental agreement with indication of living space
Proof of monthly rent (e.g. bank statement)#
proof of your health insurance
The collected documents must then be submitted using the LEA contact form . The immigration office will then give you an appointment. Booking an appointment is no longer possible in Berlin (see VISAGUARD blog post on the abolition of the appointment system in Berlin ).
Do you have Questions about your Visa-Case?
Our cooperating lawyers for visa and residence issues will answer all your questions in a video call. Of course, our independent experts are also happy to support you in residence procedures before embassies, immigration authorities and administrative courts in Germany.
Contact us to book an initial consultation on your case with a German visa lawyer ! You will receive a reply within 24 hours (on workingdays).
4. Easier company formation for Japanese
Japanese nationals in Germany are entitled to various privileges based on international treaties between Germany and Japan, which primarily relate to starting a business . These privileges for Japanese nationals in Germany arise primarily from the Trade and Navigation Treaty of July 20, 1927 (RGBl. II p. 1087). This bilateral treaty obliges German authorities, for example, to take the applicant's personal interests into account when issuing residence permits (so-called benevolence clause). There are also social security agreements between Germany and Japan that allow pension insurance contributions paid in Japan to be taken into account when issuing a settlement permit in Germany under certain conditions. Company founders from Japan in particular benefit from this, as they actually have to prove that they have an adequate pension from the age of 45 if they want to start a business in Germany (Section 21 Paragraph 3 of the Residence Act). One of our specialized and independent VISAGUARD lawyers will be happy to advise you on details regarding a visa for setting up a company from Japan in Germany.
5. FAQ Japanese in Germany
Are Japanese nationals affected by the new ETIAS regulations?
Yes, since Japanese nationals can enter visa-free, they will be subject to the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) from mid-2025.
Which German embassies are responsible for Japanese citizens?
For Japanese nationals, the main contact point is the foreign missions in Japan, in particular the German Embassy in Tokyo.
How long does a visa process from Japan take?
The visa procedures in Japan are comparatively fast. Most of the time, visa procedures from Japan can be completed within 2 - 4 months if our VISAGUARD tips for speeding up visa procedures are followed .
What is the success rate for visa applications from Japan?
Due to the various privileges for foreigners from Japan, the success rate for visa applications is more than 90% if the requirements are met.
Summary of this Page
On this page you have learned about the special visa and residence regulations that apply to Japanese people in Germany. Japanese citizens are citizens of the so-called “Best Friends States” and as such can enter Germany without a visa, apply for a residence permit here (Section 41 of the Residence Ordinance) and work without having a formally recognized qualification (Section 26 Paragraph 1 of the Employment Ordinance).
