One of the strictest countries in terms of immigration, Japan has announced the introduction of new visas.
Why such a change in Japan’s immigration policy?
With Japan ‘s falling birth rate, the number of workers remains limited, and there are already labor shortages in certain sectors. These include catering, home help services and construction. To remedy this, the government has passed a law offering new visas for foreigners. This law could come into force as early as April 2019 and could allow foreign workers to stay in Japan for 5 years.
These visas mark a new turning point in Japanese society, as previously only highly qualified foreigners were eligible for work visas. This law has been widely criticized by nationalists, who fear a massive influx of foreigners. The latter are heavily involved in Japanese politics, and are supported by a large number of Japanese.
What are the conditions for obtaining these visas for Japan?
The government plans to introduce two new visas, 1 and 2, for “skilled” and “unskilled” jobs. You’ll need to meet our requirements in terms of professional skills and experience, as well as Japanese language skills. If these criteria are met, it will be possible toobtain a permanent visa for your family.
The bill also provides for the creation of an immigration agency. Nonetheless, a number of issues remain to be resolved, notably in terms of preparation for accompanying new nationals and the number of visas that can be issued.
Some members of the opposition, particularly trade unions, fear exploitation of new arrivals and non-compliance with labor laws by Japanese companies.
Protecting yourself with international health insurance
With these new visas, many questions remain unanswered, notably about the medical coverage offered to expatriates in Japan. To protect yourself throughout your expatriation, we recommend that you take out international health insurance in Japan. This guarantees comprehensive protection throughout your stay, with 100% coverage of actual hospital costs, plus dental, optical and repatriation assistance options.
