Third-country resettlement of refugees to Japan
Official name: Acceptance of refugees through resettlement in a third country
Japan resettles a small number of refugees each year from elsewhere in Asia. You cannot apply directly: UNHCR recommends refugees to Japan, and the Immigration Services Agency selects them. The programme began as a pilot in 2010, ran from 2015 for Myanmar refugees staying in Malaysia, and since FY2020 takes up to about 60 people a year, in up to two intakes, from refugees temporarily staying in Asia whatever their country of origin. Singles and families are both accepted. A settlement support programme follows arrival.
Life in Japan
Finance
3
Currency
Japanese Yen
JPY
Japanese Yen
Cost of living
69
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
5–45%
Income tax (national)
Consumption tax 10%
Plus 2.1% reconstruction surtax on national tax and about 10% local inhabitant tax; 45% applies above JPY 40 million.
Living
1
Happiness
#59 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
Who it’s for
Refugees temporarily staying in Asian countries who are referred by UNHCR, and certain relatives of refugees already resettled in Japan.
Eligibility
Referral, not an application
UNHCR recommends refugees for resettlement; the Immigration Services Agency carries out the selection procedure. There is no public application form.
Where you are now
You need to be a refugee temporarily staying in Asia, whatever your country of origin.
From FY2020- Country of origin does not matter
Official wording
From FY2020, refugees temporarily staying in Asia, regardless of country of origin.
Family membersRelatives of resettled refugees
Resettled refugees who meet the requirements can bring eligible relatives to Japan.
Sign in to read the full guide (free)
The full steps, your rights while you wait, and free legal help contacts are free for anyone with an e-Passage account. You can turn on sensitive mode for discreet emails.
- 1 document
- 3 steps
- Processing times and conditions
Official sources
Other routes to Japan
- Visit & tourismShort-term stay visa (tourism, business, visiting relatives), including the JAPAN eVISA for tourism
- StudyStudent (留学) status of residence
- Work permitsEngineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services
- 3 more routes with Premium
