Eligibility for mainland Chinese applicants: Mainland PRC ordinary-passport holders do not qualify for this visa-waiver-nationality route, even with sufficient savings. Other passport categories have their own conditions; do not treat residence abroad or a tourist visa as a nationality exemption.
A funds-based sightseeing/recreation route restricted to eligible visa-waiver passports. It is not a general retirement route for mainland PRC ordinary-passport holders.
Route overview
Typical timeline / duration: Initially six months; eligible applicants may apply before expiry for an extension up to one year in total. Approval is not automatic.
Important notes
Be a national/citizen covered by Japan's applicable visa-waiver arrangements and meet the passport-specific conditions. Mainland PRC ordinary passports are not included.
The principal applicant must be at least 18 and have savings exceeding JPY 30 million, owned by the applicant and spouse. MOFA says more than, not merely equal to, JPY 30 million.
Provide current bank balances and deposit/withdrawal records for the previous six months, the stay schedule and private medical travel insurance covering death, injury and illness, unless the specified COE document exemption applies.
Submit passport, visa form/photo and any required COE or supporting evidence. If applying outside your own country, prove lawful residence or work in the application country.
An accompanying spouse must share the residence and travel arrangements; dependent children cannot accompany under this category. Spouses staying separately require combined savings exceeding JPY 60 million.
The nationality restriction and strict savings threshold are separate gates. Money alone does not turn a mainland ordinary passport into an eligible visa-waiver passport.
A spouse may arrive after, but not before, the principal applicant and must meet the accompanying-spouse conditions. A separate family visa is not automatic.
The first six months can only be extended through a timely application to the regional immigration authority, with a maximum total of one year under this scheme.
This is sightseeing/recreation, not the digital-nomad category or ordinary employment permission. A COE does not guarantee a visa; consult the responsible mission for the exact filing process.
Preparation checklist
Confirm the applicable nationality/passport rule before spending on an application.
Check age and savings strictly above the JPY 30m threshold, or JPY 60m for separate spousal stays.
Gather six-month bank records, the itinerary and complete medical-travel-insurance evidence.
Check spouse conditions and the dependent-child exclusion; prepare the correct COE or direct-document application.
Track the initial six-month expiry and apply in time if an eligible extension is needed.