Emigrating to Spain from Japan

Spain is one of the top destinations in Europe for expatriates. Japanese individuals who move to Spain do so primarily for work or study purposes, and many of them reside in Barcelona.

However, some Japanese also choose to come to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria in Spain, where they retire or simply enjoy the beautiful islands for an extended period, not just for the three months allowed without a visa.

Regardless of their reasons, to immigrate to Spain from Japan, individuals will need to submit an application at the Embassy of Spain in Tokyo or another Spanish Consulate, such as those in Osaka or Nagoya.

Our team of immigration lawyers in Spain can assist all interested Japanese citizens who want to know how to apply for a suitable work or study visa and how to obtain subsequent residency permits.

The process is not complicated; however, our team can assist you through the necessary steps and in completing the application form.

It is advisable to handle some of the steps in advance so that you can reach out to us as soon as you decide to study or work in Spain.

We can also assist you in applying for Spanish citizenship.

Residence Permit Application for Immigration to Spain from Japan

Japanese citizens can enter Spain and stay without a visa for a maximum period of three months. During this time, they must possess a valid passport.

However, visas allowing foreigners to stay in the country for longer periods are granted according to the purpose of the stay. Therefore, they may be for labor, study, or even family reunification purposes.

The application for these types of visas can be downloaded from the embassy or consulate’s website, and visa applications are submitted in person, along with the required supporting documents.

Here are the main types of visas that can be granted to Japanese citizens wishing to live in Spain:

1. Work visa: Japanese citizens can work as employees or self-employed individuals in Spain; many of the positions they hold are managerial roles in international Japanese companies that are also present in the Spanish market; a highly skilled professional visa is also available.
2. Study visa: A student visa is an option for Japanese citizens who wish to spend more than three months in the country to enroll in a master’s or doctoral program with longer study periods; the visa can be extended if the study period needs to be longer.
3. Non-lucrative visa: Allows foreign individuals with a reliable source of income to reside in Spain for more than three months; the visa application must also include proof of income for the applicant and for family members, if applicable.
4. Investment visa: This is a type of residency permit offered to foreigners who make a substantial investment in Spanish properties.

Supporting documents for the visa application vary from one type of visa to another; however, in general, the applicant will need to provide the confirmation letter (for study) or employment contract, as well as proof of investment approval.

Other general documents will include a valid passport, travel insurance, proof of address, proof of income (when necessary), criminal background check, health certificate, and two photographs.

A residence permit in Spain is quite easy to obtain. You can also rely on us for matters related to Spanish citizenship.

Post-arrival requirements for Japanese nationals in Spain

After arriving in Spain, Japanese citizens can begin handling the post-entry procedures. These include obtaining the foreigner’s identity card (Cédula de Extranjero) and the foreigner’s identification number (Número de Identificación de Extranjero or NIE). Applications for these documents are submitted to the Provincial Immigration and Border Brigade and the Consular Office of the district where the foreigner resides, respectively.

Japanese citizens who have been temporary residents in Spain for five consecutive years and meet the applicable conditions can obtain long-term residency. One of our agents specializing in immigration in Spain can provide more details about the checklist for long-term residency permits.

Japanese individuals who have been living in the country for ten years since their first residency application can acquire Spanish nationality. This is possible for many Japanese expatriates living in Spain, and the period may be reduced if, at the time of application, the Japanese citizen has been married for one year to a Spanish citizen. The nationality application is submitted to the Civil Registry of the Consulate.

For more information on immigrating to Spain from Japan, please contact our immigration lawyers. We can help answer any questions and assist you during the visa application process and once you arrive in the country, providing comprehensive services for expatriates, including applying for residency permits in Spain.

Requirements for traveling to Spain from Japan Japanese citizens do not require a visa to immigrate to Spain from Japan. Currently, they must meet very simple requirements detailed in the following section.

How to immigrate to Spain from Japan:

Until November 2025, Japanese citizens wishing to immigrate to Spain from Japan must meet the following requirements:

Valid passport with a validity of at least 3 months beyond the intended stay

This situation will change starting November 2025. When the ETIAS travel authorization for Europe becomes a mandatory requirement, Japanese citizens will need to obtain this permit to visit any of the 26 member countries of the Schengen Area.