[Designated Activity No. 40] Can You Stay in Japan for Up to One Year with 30 million yen in Assets? A Certified Administrative Scrivener Explains the “Long-Term Tourist” Status of Residence

Hello.
This is Horiuchi from the Horiuchi Administrative Scrivener Office.

"I don't plan to work in Japan, but I'd like to live there for about six months to a year." "I want to stay in Japan for an extended period while keeping my life in South Korea as it is."

One type of residence status that such individuals may consider is, "Designated Activity No. 40 (Long-term Stay for Tourism, Recreation, etc.)"There are

Main Requirements for Designated Activity No. 40

The main requirements are summarized as follows.

Since South Korea is one of the countries eligible for Japan’s visa waiver program, South Korean nationals are also eligible to use Specific Activity No. 40.

Be aware of the asset requirement of "30 million yen or more"

Of particular importance is,Savings and deposits totaling 30 million yen or moreThat is the requirement.

This is not a system that simply requires “total assets of 30 million yen or more,” including real estate and stocks; rather, documentation verifying bank account balances and other savings is crucial for the application.

In addition, when filing an application with the Immigration Bureau, you must provide not only your current account balance, but also As a general rule, documentation showing your account deposits and withdrawals for the past six months...is also required.

Please note that the 30 million yen does not have to be in the individual’s sole name, and You can also combine these amounts with your spouse's savings and depositsIt is.

How long can I stay?

The period of stay for Specified Activity No. 40 is, first of all,6 monthsThe first two are the following.

After that, by filing an application for renewal of your period of stay, Up to a total of one yearYou can stay in Japan.

Can my spouse stay with me?

Regarding spouses accompanying individuals engaged in Specified Activity No. 40, "Specified Activity No. 41"Stays for this purpose are permitted.

For a spouse to obtain a Type 41 visa, they must live with the Type 40 visa holder in Japan and engage in activities such as sightseeing and leisure together.

On the other hand, one thing to keep in mind is that,Children are not covered under Article 41.That is the point.

Therefore, if your entire family—including minor children—wishes to stay in Japan for one year, the Article 40 and Article 41 visas alone may not be sufficient.

Is it possible to work in Japan?

"Designated Activities No. 40" is, strictly speaking, a status of residence intended solely for tourism, recreation, and similar purposes.

Therefore, as a general rule, the following activities are not permitted.

• Working for a Japanese Company
• Running a Business in Japan
• Working in Japan in a job that pays a salary

In addition, if you wish to continue working remotely from Japan while remaining employed by a foreign company, you should not apply under Article 40, but rather"Digital Nomad (Specified Activities, No. 53)"There are cases where it is more appropriate to consider this.

The Difference Between Designated Activity No. 40 and Digital Nomads

Basic Application Process

When applying for a new Specific Activity No. 40 visa from abroad, the process generally follows these steps.

1. Preparation of required documents
2. Apply for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) at the Japan Immigration Services Agency
3. COE Grant
4. Applying for a Visa at Japanese Embassies, Consulates General, and Other Offices
5. Entry into Japan
6. Application for Extension of Period of Stay, as Necessary

Please note that if you enter Japan on a short-term visa, you should exercise caution regarding the process for changing your status to “Specified Activities (No. 40)” immediately thereafter.

Changing from "Short-Term Stay" to another status of residence is, As a general rule, this is not permitted unless there are unavoidable special circumstances.

Therefore, for individuals residing abroad, the general procedure is to first obtain a COE, then apply for a visa at a Japanese diplomatic mission overseas, and then enter Japan.

This program is ideal for people like this

• People who would like to live in Japan for about six months to a year
• For those who wish to stay in Japan for an extended period after retirement
• For those who want to take a leisurely trip around Japan
• People who do not need to work in Japan
• Individuals who have sufficient savings and wish to live in Japan long-term

On the other hand, if you want to work in Japan or run a Japanese corporation, options include the “Technical, Humanities, and International Business” visa, the “Management and Administration” visa, the “Digital Nomad” visa, and others, You need to consider a different status of residence that better matches your actual activities.

summary

Designated Activity No. 40 applies to foreign nationals who possess certain assets A status of residence that allows you to stay in Japan for up to one year for the purpose of sightseeing or vacationingIt is.

Although "Designated Activities No. 40" is a relatively little-known status of residence, it can be a viable option for those who do not intend to work in Japan but wish to live there at a leisurely pace for a certain period of time.

However, the application process and required documents will vary depending on your savings and deposit status, the history of your savings, your family composition, and the activities you plan to engage in while in Japan.

At the Horiuchi Administrative Scrivener Office, we provide consultation and application support regarding Japanese residence statuses, including the "Specified Activities (No. 40)" status.
If you're unsure whether you qualify, please feel free to contact us.

*This article is based on policies and published materials as of September 2026. When actually submitting an application, please verify the latest procedures in effect at the time of application and your specific circumstances.