Japan Long-Stay Visa for UAE Residents & Retirees
Spend More Time in Japan. Discover a Different Pace of Life.
Dreaming of a longer season in Kyoto, a peaceful stay in the Japanese countryside, or the freedom to discover Japan beyond an ordinary holiday? Eligible financially independent visitors may be able to stay for six months, with a possible extension to a maximum of one year.
Masanobu Kawagoe Administrative Scrivener Office helps individuals living in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and elsewhere in the UAE understand Japan's long-stay immigration requirements and prepare the relevant application documents. Consult a licensed Japanese professional remotely before making your plans.
Japan office telephone: +81-237-86-7198 · 9:00–18:00 Japan Standard Time. Immigration approval and extensions are never guaranteed.
A long stay for leisure, not an investment or retirement visa
Japan's Designated Activities: Long Stay for Sightseeing and Recreation is intended for qualifying individuals who want to enjoy travel and leisure in Japan over a longer period. It is particularly relevant to retirees, financially independent people and couples who do not need to work during their stay.
Enjoy Japan without rushing
Explore different regions, traditional arts, seasonal scenery, regional cuisine and everyday life in Japan with a considered itinerary.
Take an extended personal break
Spend a longer period on sightseeing or recreation, provided your nationality, savings, insurance and activities meet the rules.
Plan an extended stay together
A qualifying spouse may accompany the principal applicant under separate accompanying-spouse requirements.
Check eligibility by passport
Residents of Dubai and Abu Dhabi may have different options depending on nationality. UAE residence alone is not sufficient.
It does not grant a right to work, permanent residence, unlimited renewal or a general right to settle in Japan. There is no blanket Japanese retirement visa or residence-by-property-purchase program. The permitted activities are restricted to those specified for the applicant.
The main requirements for a Japan long-stay application
Owning valuable property, shares or a business does not necessarily demonstrate the required bank savings. Immigration officials may require current bank balances and the account's deposit and withdrawal history for the preceding six months. Where that history cannot be provided, an explanation and evidence of how the assets were accumulated may be necessary.
Eligibility depends on the exact legal requirements and examination of your application. The savings threshold is not an application fee, investment contribution or payment to our office.
UAE citizens and expatriates living in the UAE
For UAE citizens: Since 1 July 2025, eligible UAE nationals holding valid ICAO-compliant ordinary IC passports have been able to use Japan's visa waiver for permitted short visits of up to 90 days. The six-month long-stay route is a different procedure with additional eligibility requirements.
For other UAE residents: Living or working in Dubai, Abu Dhabi or another emirate does not change your passport nationality. A British, Indian, Pakistani or other passport holder must be assessed under the rules applicable to that nationality. Not all UAE residents qualify for the wealthy visitor long-stay scheme.
A qualifying short-term visa waiver or a short-stay visa may be more suitable. Our extended-stay assistance is designed for people who need a specific lawful route beyond an ordinary short visit, not for unnecessary visa applications.
Can a spouse stay with you in Japan?
| Situation | General treatment |
|---|---|
| Principal applicant | Must meet the eligibility conditions for the sightseeing and recreation long-stay scheme. |
| Accompanying spouse | May qualify under the accompanying-spouse category, subject to the couple sharing a residence and travelling together in Japan as required. The spouse cannot enter Japan under this route before the principal applicant. |
| Spouses staying separately | If each spouse intends to stay separately under this scheme, combined savings exceeding JPY 60 million may be required. |
| Dependent children | Children cannot be brought as dependants under this particular wealthy visitor long-stay program. A separate lawful status would need to be considered. |
Family eligibility must be reviewed separately. The program is not a substitute for a family migration or employment-based residence status.
What documents are normally needed?
Documentation depends on whether a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) application is used, the applicant's circumstances and the specific filing procedure. Typical materials include:
Identity and application
Valid passport, application form, photograph where required, and relevant identity details.
Financial records
Evidence of qualifying savings, current account balances, and deposits and withdrawals over the preceding six months.
Travel and leisure plan
A realistic schedule explaining where you intend to stay and what sightseeing or recreation you plan to undertake.
Insurance and spouse documents
Proof of private medical travel insurance for the planned period, plus marriage and spouse-related evidence where applicable.
Do not send bank statements, passport scans or other sensitive documents in an initial website inquiry. We will explain which documents are necessary and how to share them securely if a formal review is arranged.
Foreign-language evidence submitted to Japanese immigration authorities generally needs a Japanese translation. Additional documents may be required during examination.
From Dubai or Abu Dhabi to an application in Japan
Tell us your nationality, intended stay, travel purpose and whether your spouse will accompany you.
We consider the available route, savings documentation and practical filing arrangements.
We explain the proposed scope, professional fees and anticipated external expenses.
We assist with permitted Japan-side applications and supporting documents after engagement.
A COE, where issued, can support a visa application, but it is not itself a visa or a guarantee of entry. Japanese consular authorities decide visa applications and immigration authorities examine residence applications and landing conditions. A change from Temporary Visitor status within Japan is restricted and should not be assumed.
We can first review whether your intended visit is appropriate for this route, before you commit to major travel arrangements.
Professional fees and scope of support
Each matter is quoted according to the number of applicants, document complexity, application category and support requested. The quotation identifies the professional work we will perform and the terms of engagement.
Government fees, translations, certification, travel expenses, international delivery or external professional costs may be payable separately. The applicable tax treatment and costs will be explained in advance. General fee information.
Professional immigration support from Japan
Masanobu Kawagoe
Representative, Masanobu Kawagoe Administrative Scrivener Office
Licensed Administrative Scrivener · Registration No. 23071191
Immigration application intermediary administrative scrivener
Sagae City, Yamagata Prefecture, Japan
Our office accepts inquiries from clients overseas and provides assistance with Japanese immigration documentation and applications within our professional scope. We do not act as a Japanese immigration authority or guarantee a particular outcome.
Japan long-stay questions from UAE residents
Does Japan offer a retirement visa?
Japan does not have a general visa that grants residence simply because a person is retired or wealthy. Eligible travellers may, however, qualify for the specific Designated Activities long-stay route for sightseeing and recreation.
Can I stay for a full year immediately?
The ordinary initial stay under this scheme is six months. A qualifying extension application before expiry may permit a maximum total stay of one year. An extension is not automatic.
Is owning JPY 30 million in real estate enough?
Not necessarily. The program refers to qualifying savings exceeding JPY 30 million, held by the principal applicant and spouse combined where relevant. Property value alone does not demonstrate the prescribed bank savings.
Do I have to be a UAE citizen?
No, but you must be a national or citizen of a country or region eligible under Japan's visa-waiver framework. UAE residence is not a substitute for eligible nationality.
Can my husband or wife accompany me?
Possibly. The relevant accompanying-spouse requirements include sharing a residence and travelling together in Japan. If spouses intend to stay separately under this program, a higher combined savings threshold can apply.
Can our children accompany us under this scheme?
No. Dependent children cannot accompany under this particular sightseeing and recreation long-stay scheme. Please ask about separate immigration possibilities if you intend to move with children.
Can I work for a company or manage a Japanese business during my stay?
This status is for specified leisure and recreation activities, not general employment or active business management in Japan. A business or employment plan requires separate immigration advice.
Can I work remotely while staying in Japan?
Do not assume remote work is permitted under a sightseeing/recreation status. Japan has distinct rules for remote work and other activities. Your specific plans need to be assessed separately.
Does a property purchase make me eligible to stay longer?
No. Buying or renting a residence in Japan does not automatically grant a visa, residence status or permanent residence.
Is a UAE passport already visa-free for Japan?
Qualifying UAE nationals holding valid ICAO-compliant ordinary IC passports can make certain short visits for up to 90 days without a visa. That is different from this six-month long-stay procedure.
Can I apply after entering Japan as a tourist?
Changes from Temporary Visitor status are restricted. Eligibility, filing options and timing should be reviewed before travel wherever possible.
Can I apply from Dubai without visiting your office?
You may contact us remotely for an initial assessment and document preparation. The proper application pathway, any required Japan-side person and any consular steps depend on your circumstances.
What is your fee, and is the first consultation free?
The initial consultation is free. Professional fees are quoted individually before engagement based on the work required. Official fees and third-party expenses, if applicable, are explained separately.
Does this program lead to permanent residence?
No direct permanent residence entitlement arises from this program. Permanent residence and any other long-term immigration options involve separate legal conditions.
Official guidance for your application
Let us help you understand your options for a longer stay in Japan
If you live in Dubai, Abu Dhabi or elsewhere in the UAE and would like to spend an extended period enjoying Japan, contact us in English. Tell us your passport nationality, preferred arrival date, intended length of stay, purpose and whether your spouse will accompany you. There is no need to send sensitive financial records in your first message.
Masanobu Kawagoe Administrative Scrivener Office
Yamagata, Japan · Overseas inquiries welcome · Individual quotation
Telephone: +81-237-86-7198 (9:00–18:00 JST). All applications are individually reviewed by the competent Japanese authorities. We do not guarantee approval or processing times.