Tag - visas

 
 

VISAS

China is extending its short-term visa waiver for Japanese visitors by one year, continuing the policy beyond December.
JAPAN
Nov 4, 2025
China to extend visa exemption for Japanese visitors
Under the program, travelers are allowed to stay in China for up to 30 days without a visa for tourism or business.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney makes a live address on Canada’s plan to build a stronger economy, in advance of the 2025 Budget, in Ottawa on Wednesday.
BUSINESS / Economy
Oct 23, 2025
Carney plots ‘talent attraction’ plan as U.S. upends H-1B visa
The Canadian prime minister has previously said he wants to attract employees from the technology sector who might have otherwise gone to the U.S.
Jon Heese (second left) takes part in a 2024 New Year's nihonshu barrel opening ceremony.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Oct 17, 2025
Why I chose Japanese citizenship over permanent residency
It may be adequate for some residents’ purposes, but when the chips are down, many will be shocked at just how few protections it offers.
Shenzhen International Airport. Chinese job seekers, worried about competition in tech fields, are upset about the new K visa, which allows foreign talent to work in China.
COMMENTARY / World
Oct 15, 2025
China’s visa uproar is part of a DeepSeek illusion
Some of the resulting backlash on Chinese social media against the new K visa has been downright xenophobic and even racist.
There has been a rapid rise in the number of business manager visa holders in recent years, triggering concerns that some are using it as an easy route to long-term residency rather than for genuine entrepreneurship.
JAPAN
Oct 10, 2025
Business management visa requirements to be tightened from next week
There has been a rapid rise in the number of business manager visa holders in recent years, triggering concerns some are merely using it as an easy route to long-term residency.
The Justice Ministry's figures show the number of specified skilled worker visa holders hit a record high as of the end of June.
JAPAN
Sep 30, 2025
Skilled worker visa holders hit record high ahead of new visa program
The Justice Ministry stated that the goal for a new program set to be rolled out in 2027 is to make Japan a "country of choice" for foreign workers amid a labor shortage.
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to members of the media at the White House on Saturday.
WORLD / Politics
Sep 21, 2025
Trump shapes immigration gilded age with $100,000 H-1B fee
The U.S. president also unveiled a "Gold Card” visa program — where for the price of $1 million, individuals could get U.S. residency.
South Korea's LG Energy Solution was using workarounds to U.S. visa restrictions well before Donald Trump returned as U.S. president.
BUSINESS / Companies
Sep 19, 2025
LG Energy was using U.S. visa workarounds before Trump, documents show
South Korean companies say they face long-running problems in getting short-term visas for specialists they need for their high-tech plants in the U.S.
Activists holding signs that reads "No one is illegal!" protest against a huge immigration raid last week in the U.S. state of Georgia, in front of the U.S. Embassy in Seoul on Tuesday.
BUSINESS / Companies / FOCUS
Sep 9, 2025
Workers say corporate South Korea was warned about questionable U.S. visas before Hyundai raid
For years, South Korean companies have said they struggle to obtain short-term work visas for specialists needed in their high-tech plants in the United States.
The former main building of the Justice Ministry. The ministry is requesting ¥877.5 billion in overall funding, of which ¥22.9 billion would be used for measures linked to foreign workers.
JAPAN / Politics
Aug 28, 2025
Budget requests from Justice Ministry focus on foreign nationals
Of the ¥877.5 billion requested, ¥22.9 billion would be set aside for measures linked to foreign workers and ¥18.3 billion for measures that respond to a rise in foreign tourists.
John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York. U.S. President Donald Trump kicked off a wide-ranging immigration crackdown after taking office in January.
WORLD / Politics
Aug 28, 2025
Trump administration moves to tighten duration of visas for students and media
The proposed regulation is part of U.S. President Donald Trump's broader crackdown on legal immigration.
The number of foreign residents with business management residency status had reached a record 41,615 as of the end of 2024.
BUSINESS
Aug 26, 2025
Japan aims to tighten rules for business manager visas from October
The move comes amid concerns that foreign nationals are using the visa as an easy loophole to settle in the country.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung meet ahead of a summit in Kananaskis, Canada, in June. The two leaders will meet again on Saturday.
JAPAN
Aug 22, 2025
Japan and South Korea to expand working holiday program
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung are expected to agree on the matter when they meet in Tokyo on Saturday.
Workations were a burgeoning trend in the corporate world for years before the COVID-19 pandemic turbocharged it.
JAPAN / Society
Aug 19, 2025
Tokyo crowned No.1 'workation' spot
Japan’s capital topped the rankings for its “exceptional broadband speeds, transport infrastructure, safety, culture, and new digital nomad visa.”
Japanese passport holders have visa-free access to 190 destinations out of 227 globally.
JAPAN / Society
Jul 24, 2025
Japan ties with South Korea for second most powerful passport
Japan continues to hold the world’s second most powerful passport — tied with South Korea — according to a new global ranking.
People hold up signs during a rally in support of international students at the Harvard University campus in Boston on Tuesday.
JAPAN / Society
May 29, 2025
Halt of U.S. visa process puts Japanese students' futures in question
The U.S. Embassy in Tokyo has confirmed that the embassy and U.S. consulate offices in Japan have suspended scheduling new interviews for student visa applicants.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio buttons his jacket at the start of a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing in Washington on May 21.
WORLD / Politics
May 28, 2025
U.S. suspends student visa processing as Trump ramps up social media vetting
A U.S. diplomatic cable has ordered embassies and consulates not to allow "any additional student or exchange visa ... appointment capacity until further guidance is issued."
An LA 2028 sign is seen on the Los Angeles Coliseum on Sept. 13, 2017.
OLYMPICS
Apr 18, 2025
USOPC says White House gave reassurances about visas for Los Angeles Olympics
Officials from the USOPC said they met with legislators and members of U.S. President Donald Trump's administration last week.
Foreign residents who fail to renew their residential statuses before their expiry may find that they won’t be able to withdraw cash from their bank accounts.
JAPAN / Society
Apr 9, 2025
Banks freeze withdrawals for foreign nationals upon expiration of visas
The move is part of a government initiative to combat scams and fraud, the Financial Services Agency says.
Russians queue to apply for visas at the Japanese Embassy in Moscow on March 4.
JAPAN
Mar 20, 2025
Cherry blossoms and free visas draw Russians to Japan
The number of Russians holidaying in Japan is set to double this year from around 100,000 in 2024, helped by a strengthening ruble.

Longform

Once smoky, male-dominated spaces, today's net cafes, like Kaikatsu Club, are working to make their operations more attractive to women customers.
The second life of Japan's net cafes