Skilled Migration Visas from Japan: Canada, Australia & the UK

Regulatory & Legal Advisory: Educational & Informational Content Only

The procedures, legal frameworks, tax laws, and visa requirements described in this guide reflect official guidelines and regulatory synthesis current as of publication. Immigration policies, tax treaties, and municipal requirements change frequently. This content is for educational and planning purposes only and cannot substitute for formal legal, tax, or immigration counsel. Readers must verify current requirements directly with relevant municipal city halls, the National Tax Agency (NTA), the Japan Pension Service, official embassies, or certified professional advisors (licensed immigration lawyers, certified tax accountants / Zeirishi).

Canada and Australia select skilled immigrants for permanent residence by ranking points for age, education, language and work experience, so a Japan resident can apply without a job offer or family ties.¹² The UK Skilled Worker visa works differently: it needs a job offer from a Home Office licensed sponsor and leads to settlement only after years of residence.³⁴ All three changed significantly in 2025 and 2026; this guide compares them and explains what to prepare in Japan (as of October 2026).

Where this fits in a wider move: the overall sequence of leaving Japan is set out in the Japan outbound relocation master framework, and finding employers abroad (including UK sponsors) is covered in the guide to securing overseas employment from Japan.

The Points-Based Immigration Framework: How Skilled Selection Works

Two Models: Ranked Pools vs. Sponsored Job Offers

Canada’s Express Entry is a ranked pool. Candidates receive a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) invites the top-ranked in general, program-specific or category-based rounds.⁵ After an Invitation to Apply (ITA), you have 60 days to submit the permanent residence application (as of October 2026).⁶

Australia’s SkillSelect works on a similar principle. You lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI) with at least 65 points; Home Affairs says that if you score enough and places are allocated for your occupation, “we might invite you to apply”, and the invitation states the score you must still meet at grant.²⁷ Subclass 190 adds a step: a state or territory government agency must nominate you first, on its own criteria.⁸

The UK Skilled Worker route has no pool and no tradeable score. Appendix Skilled Worker requires 50 mandatory points (sponsorship 20, a job at the appropriate skill level 20, English 10) plus 20 points from one of the salary options, for 70 in total.⁴ Without a confirmed job offer and a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from a Home Office approved employer, you cannot apply.³

flowchart LR
  subgraph CA["Canada Express Entry"]
    C1["ECA and approved language test"] --> C2["Express Entry profile with CRS score"]
    C2 --> C3["ITA in a round"]
    C3 --> C4["PR application within 60 days"]
    C4 --> C5["Police certificate only if IRCC requests it"]
  end
  subgraph AU["Australia 189 / 190"]
    A1["Skills assessment and English test"] --> A2["EOI in SkillSelect (65+ points)"]
    A2 --> A3["State nomination (190 only)"]
    A3 --> A4["Invitation"]
    A4 --> A5["Visa application, health and character checks"]
  end
  subgraph UK["UK Skilled Worker"]
    U1["Job offer from licensed sponsor"] --> U2["Certificate of Sponsorship"]
    U2 --> U3["Visa application (up to 3 months before start)"]
    U3 --> U4["ILR after 5 years under current Rules"]
  end

At-a-Glance Comparison Table

Item	Canada FSW / Express Entry	Australia 189	Australia 190	UK Skilled Worker
Outcome	Permanent residence1	Permanent visa2	Permanent visa8	Temporary, up to 5 years per grant, extendable3
Job offer needed	No1	No2	No (state nomination instead)8	Yes, CoS from a licensed sponsor3
Age	CRS age points peak at 20 to 29, zero at 45+9	Under 45 at invitation2	Under 45 at invitation8	No age limit on the official pages; under-26 new-entrant salary discount10
Minimum English	CLB 7 in all four abilities (FSW)111	Competent2	Competent8	CEFR B2 (first-time applicants)12
Credential recognition	ECA from a designated body13	Skills assessment by the assessing authority14	Same as 18914	Ecctis only for degree-for-English or PhD salary options1012
Work experience minimum	1 year continuous full-time or 1,560 hours, TEER 0 to 3, last 10 years1	None fixed; points from 36 months overseas15	Same as 18915	None fixed4
Selection	CRS ranking in rounds5	SkillSelect invitation2	State nomination plus invitation8	Mandatory criteria4
Settlement funds	CAD 15,263 single (table dated 7 July 2025)16	Not stated as a requirement on the official page	Not stated as a requirement on the official page	£1,270 for 28 days unless the sponsor certifies17
Government fee (main applicant)	CAD 1,590 incl. right of PR fee, plus CAD 85 biometrics18	AUD 6,13515	AUD 6,14015	£819 (up to 3 years) or £1,618 (over 3 years), plus IHS £1,035 per year17
Path to settlement	PR on landing	PR on grant	PR on grant	ILR after 5 years under current Rules4

All figures are as of October 2026.

Who This Route Suits (and Who It Does Not)

The ranked systems reward a specific profile: a degree, strong English (for Canada, ideally French too), several years of skilled experience, and an age in the twenties or early thirties.⁹¹⁵ Canadian age points fall every year from 30 and Australian points drop at 33 and 40.⁹¹⁵

Canadian work experience counts for CRS only if you were physically in Canada, so remote work for a Canadian employer from Japan does not count (as of October 2026).⁹

If the profile does not fit, other routes may: post-study work routes for graduates of foreign universities, a working holiday visa for younger applicants, or residency by investment, each with its own guide. New Zealand’s Skilled Migrant Category is in the New Zealand destination guide.

Canada Express Entry (FSWP): Calculating Your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) Score

Federal Skilled Worker Eligibility: The 67-Point Grid

To enter the pool as a Federal Skilled Worker (FSW), you need at least one year of continuous full-time paid work (or 1,560 hours) in your primary occupation at TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 within the last 10 years.¹ You also need an approved language test at CLB 7 or higher in all four abilities, a Canadian credential or a foreign one with an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA), and a plan to live outside Quebec.¹¹¹ You must score at least 67 out of 100 on six factors and show settlement funds, unless you are authorised to work in Canada and hold a valid job offer.¹

FSW factor	Maximum	Key values (as of October 2026)
Language	28	First language per ability: CLB 9+ 6, CLB 8 5, CLB 7 4; second language up to 411
Education	25	PhD 25; master’s 23; two credentials (one 3+ years) 22; 3+ year bachelor’s 21; secondary 51119
Experience	15	1 year 9; 2 to 3 years 11; 4 to 5 years 13; 6+ years 1511
Age	12	18 to 35: 12, then minus 1 per year; 47+: 011
Arranged employment	10	Valid job offer meeting the FSW rules11
Adaptability	10	Spouse’s language, past study or work in Canada, arranged employment, relative in Canada (combined cap 10)11

The grid’s arranged-employment factor still exists; only the CRS job-offer points were repealed in 2025.²⁰¹¹ Proof of funds depends on family size: CAD 15,263 for one person, on a table still labelled as updated 7 July 2025 (as of October 2026).¹⁶ Evidencing funds held in Japan is covered in the guide to retaining Japanese bank accounts abroad.

The CRS: Core Human Capital, Spouse, Skill Transferability and Additional Points

The CRS ranks everyone in the pool out of 1,200: up to 500 core human capital points for a single candidate (460 plus up to 40 spouse points with an accompanying spouse), up to 100 for skill transferability and up to 600 additional points (as of October 2026).⁹

CRS factor (single candidate)	Points (as of October 2026)9
Age 20 to 29	110
Age 30 / 33 / 35 / 38 / 40	105 / 88 / 77 / 61 / 50
Age 42 / 44 / 45+	28 / 6 / 0
Bachelor’s or 3+ year credential	120
Master’s or professional degree / PhD	135 / 150
First official language, per ability: CLB 7 / 8 / 9 / 10+	17 / 23 / 31 / 34 (max 136)
Canadian work experience: 1 year / 5+ years	40 / 80

Skill transferability is where foreign experience pays. Three or more years of foreign work experience with CLB 9 or higher in all four abilities earns 50 points (25 with CLB 7 or 8); a master’s degree or two credentials with CLB 9 earns up to another 50, within a 100-point cap.⁹

Additional points come from a sibling in Canada who is a citizen or permanent resident aged 18 or over (15), French at NCLC 7 or higher in all four abilities (25, or 50 with English at CLB 5 or higher), a Canadian post-secondary credential (15 or 30) and a provincial or territorial nomination (600).⁹

CRS points for a job offer were repealed on 25 March 2025. Ministerial Instructions 2025-1, signed 11 March 2025, removed them, with transitional protection only for invitations issued before that day.²⁰

On 16 October 2026, IRCC announced a new system starting 3 November 2026. A “Labour Market Integration” factor, worth up to 150 points for a single candidate (140 with a spouse), will award points for Canadian work experience or a qualifying job offer, not both.²¹²² A job offer will earn 100 points if the occupation’s median wage is at least twice the average median wage, 70 at 1.5 times to under twice, 50 at 1.3 times to under 1.5 times, and nothing if the occupation is not high-wage.²¹

High-wage status is set by occupation, not by your own salary. IRCC measures it by National Occupational Classification (NOC) code, using Job Bank, Labour Force Survey and Census data from the previous three years.²¹²² A Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) will no longer be required for job-offer points or FSW eligibility, and having one adds no points.²¹²²

Announced, not yet in force

The 3 November 2026 changes were not in force on the verification date. IRCC says candidates must update their profiles before 3 November to claim job-offer points, existing profiles will be recalculated over up to two weeks with invitation rounds paused, and skill transferability rules are unchanged. Check the CRS criteria page before relying on any figure in this section (as of October 2026).⁹²¹²²

Draw Types in 2025 and 2026: General, Program-Specific and Category-Based

IRCC’s rounds data show the classic route for applicants abroad has gone quiet. No General (all-program) round has been held since 23 April 2024 and no Federal Skilled Worker program round in 2025 or 2026 up to 16 October; 2026 rounds went to the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) and category-based selection (as of October 2026).⁵

The 2026 categories were announced on 18 February 2026. New ones cover medical doctors, researchers and senior managers with Canadian work experience, transport occupations and skilled military recruits; French, health care and social services, education, STEM and trades were renewed.²³²⁴²⁵ Occupation categories need 12 months of full-time (or equivalent) experience in one listed occupation within the past 3 years, in Canada or abroad; the physician, senior manager and researcher categories need it in Canada.²³

A category on the list is not the same as a draw. No STEM round has been held since 11 April 2024 and no education round since 17 September 2025, which matters for engineers and IT professionals in Japan (as of October 2026).⁵

2026 round type	Rounds	Lowest-ranked CRS score range (as of October 2026)5
Canadian Experience Class	18	507 to 523
Provincial Nominee Program	20	697 to 805
French-language proficiency	11	382 to 435
Health care and social services	3	467 to 475
Trades	2	476 to 477
Transport	1	470
Senior managers (Canadian experience)	3	389 to 429
Physicians (Canadian experience)	3	169 to 223
Skilled military recruits	1	368

Read this as recent history, not a forecast. In 2026, the drawn categories open to candidates with only foreign experience were French, health care and social services, trades and transport, alongside provincial nomination.²³⁵

Provincial Nominee Programs: A One-Line Bridge

A provincial or territorial nomination adds 600 CRS points, which explains 2026 PNP cut-offs of 697 to 805.⁹⁵ Each province runs its own streams, covered in the Canada destination guide.

Australia Points Test (Subclass 189 & 190): Skills Assessments, Age Limits, and State Nomination

Basic Eligibility: Invitation, Occupation, Skills Assessment, Age Under 45

For the Skilled Independent visa (Subclass 189), you must be invited after lodging an EOI, nominate an occupation on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) and hold a suitable skills assessment for it.²¹⁴ You must also be under 45 at invitation, have at least competent English, score at least 65 points and meet health and character requirements.²⁷

The Skilled Nominated visa (Subclass 190) adds state or territory nomination and accepts occupations on the MLTSSL or the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL).⁸¹⁴ The Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) is for employer-sponsored visas (Subclass 482 Core Skills stream and Subclass 186), not 189 or 190 (as of October 2026).¹⁴²⁶

Age is tested at invitation, so turning 45 afterwards does not matter.² The skills assessment must normally date from the 3 years before invitation, unless it states a shorter period.²

Visa application charges are AUD 6,135 for a Subclass 189 main applicant and AUD 6,140 for Subclass 190, plus AUD 3,070 for each additional applicant aged 18 or over; Home Affairs typically adjusts charges each 1 July (as of October 2026).¹⁵ Under Ministerial Direction No. 122, processing prioritises specified sectors (construction, health care, teaching, agriculture, aquaculture, fishing and resources) and onshore applicants (as of October 2026).²⁷

The Points Table: Age, English, Experience, Education and Bonus Points

Points are assessed at the time of invitation under Schedule 6D of the Migration Regulations 1994.¹⁵ Employment points count only for work in the nominated or a closely related occupation, and only your highest qualification scores.²¹⁵

Factor	Points (as of October 2026)15
Age 18 to 24 / 25 to 32 / 33 to 39 / 40 to 44	25 / 30 / 25 / 15
English: competent / proficient / superior	0 (but mandatory) / 10 / 20
Overseas skilled employment in the last 10 years: 36+ / 60+ / 96+ months	5 / 10 / 15
Australian skilled employment: 12+ / 36+ / 60+ / 96+ months	5 / 10 / 15 / 20
Employment points combined cap	20
Doctorate / bachelor’s / Australian diploma or trade, or award recognised by the assessing authority	20 / 15 / 10
Specialist educational qualification	10
Australian study / professional year / credentialled community language / regional study	5 each
Skilled partner / single or partner is an Australian citizen or PR / partner with competent English	10 / 10 / 5
State or territory nomination (190) / regional nomination (491)	5 / 15

A worked example shows how points add up. A 30-year-old with a recognised bachelor’s degree, proficient English and five years of skilled experience abroad scores 30 + 15 + 10 + 10 = 65 before partner points, assuming the assessing authority recognises the degree and experience; being single (or having an Australian citizen or PR partner) adds 10, and state nomination 5.¹⁵ The Subclass 491 regional visa is covered in the Australia destination guide.

State Nomination for Subclass 190 and Invitation Reality

Each state and territory sets its own nomination criteria and occupation priorities, so check the agency directly; if a nomination is withdrawn after you lodge, the application becomes invalid.⁸

Home Affairs publishes invitation round results on its SkillSelect page; recent minimum scores could not be confirmed for this guide, so consult that page rather than third-party summaries.²⁷

Australian points test reform: no date yet

On 17 September 2026 the Minister for Home Affairs said the government had “redone the points test in consultation with Treasury”, with a new capacity to give particular skills an uplift, and that an EOI-based system needs legislation the government does not yet have. No start date, new score table or legislation has been published (as of October 2026). Treat the table above as the current law only.²⁸

United Kingdom Skilled Worker: Salary Thresholds, Sponsorship, and Eligible Occupations

Why the UK Route Is Not a Pure Points Test

Every UK point is mandatory or tied to salary: 50 for sponsorship, skill level and English, and 20 for meeting one salary option.⁴ You can apply up to 3 months before your start date, and decisions on applications from outside the UK usually take about 3 weeks.³

Skill Level, Salary Thresholds and Going Rates

Since 22 July 2025, the job must normally be at RQF level 6 or above, after Statement of Changes HC 997 removed around 180 occupations.²⁹ Roles below RQF 6 remain eligible only through the Immigration Salary List or the interim Temporary Shortage List, without dependants; existing Skilled Workers keep transitional access (as of October 2026).⁴²⁹

The Temporary Shortage List is time-limited: it applies only where the CoS was issued before 31 December 2026, HC 997 set end-2026 removal dates, and its future contents depend on Migration Advisory Committee review.⁴²⁹ No later Statement of Changes extending it was found up to HC 584 of 3 September 2026 (as of October 2026).³⁰

Salary option	Requirement (as of October 2026)
Standard (option A)	Higher of £41,700 or the occupation’s going rate314
Immigration Salary List	Going rate, with a £33,400 floor104
New entrant (under 26, recent UK student or graduate, training towards a regulated profession or chartered status) or listed postdoctoral role	70% of going rate, £33,400 floor, total stay capped at 4 years104
PhD relevant to the job (STEM / non-STEM)	80% of going rate with £33,400 floor / 90% with £37,500 floor104

English Requirement, Fees and the Immigration Health Surcharge

First-time Skilled Worker applicants need English at CEFR B2 in all four components, in force since 8 January 2026 under HC 1333.¹²³² Japan is not on the exempt-nationality list, so Japanese passport holders must use a SELT, a UK degree, or a non-UK degree taught in English and confirmed by Ecctis (as of October 2026).¹²

Fees for applications from outside the UK are £819 for up to 3 years and £1,618 for longer, or £628 and £1,235 for Immigration Salary List jobs; the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) is usually £1,035 per year (as of October 2026).¹⁷ You also need £1,270 in savings held for 28 consecutive days, unless your sponsor certifies maintenance.¹⁷

The sponsor pays the Immigration Skills Charge: £1,320 for the first 12 months plus £660 for each further 6 months for medium and large sponsors, or £480 and £240 for small or charitable sponsors (as of October 2026).³³

From Skilled Worker to Settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain)

Under the current Immigration Rules, a Skilled Worker can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after 5 continuous years in the UK.⁴ For applications from 26 March 2027, settlement on the Skilled Worker and other routes will need English at B2, including for people already on the route.⁴³⁴

The “earned settlement” plan is still a proposal. The November 2025 command paper “A Fairer Pathway to Settlement” proposed a 10-year baseline, and 15 years for Skilled Workers in roles below RQF 6.³⁵ The consultation closed on 12 February 2026 with no published outcome, and no implementing Statement of Changes was found up to HC 584 (as of October 2026).³⁰³⁶

The Youth Mobility Scheme is covered in the working holiday guide, and life in the UK in the UK destination guide.

Educational Credential Assessments (ECA): Getting Japanese Degrees Recognized Abroad

Canada: Designated ECA Organizations

IRCC designates five organisations to issue an ECA: Comparative Education Service (University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies), International Credential Assessment Service of Canada, World Education Services (WES), International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS) and International Credential Evaluation Service (BCIT).¹³ Three professional bodies cover physicians, and pharmacists and architects where a licence is needed; IRCC states no preference among them (as of October 2026).¹³

An ECA must be less than 5 years old when you create your profile and when you apply, and you need one per credential you want counted; a spouse’s ECA can also earn points.¹³

Australia: Skills Assessment Instead of an ECA

Australia has no general credential assessment. The assessing authority named for your occupation in the LIN 19/051 instrument assesses your skills.¹⁴

Occupation (ANZSCO code)	Assessing authority (as of October 2026)14
Software engineer (261313)	ACS
Civil engineer (233211)	Engineers Australia
Management consultant (224711)	VETASSESS
Registered nurse (medical) (254418)	ANMAC
Accountant (general) (221111)	CPAA or CAANZ

UK: Ecctis and When a Degree Counts

The UK does not require a credential assessment for most Skilled Worker applicants. Ecctis is needed only if you use a non-UK degree taught in English to meet the English requirement, or an overseas doctorate to claim a PhD salary option.¹⁰¹²³⁷

Ordering Documents from Japanese Universities

No official source on Japanese university procedures was reviewed for this guide, so treat this as a checklist of questions rather than rules. Ask your university about English-language graduation certificates (Sotsugyo Shomeisho 卒業証明書) and transcripts (Seiseki Shomeisho 成績証明書) and direct sending to an assessment body, and read each assessment body’s own document rules before ordering. Be ready to explain any name difference from your passport romanisation, such as a former surname.

Language Tests: IELTS, CELPIP, PTE and Which Score Each Country Accepts

Canada: CLB and the Approved Tests

Express Entry accepts only three English tests: CELPIP-General, IELTS General Training and PTE Core, plus TEF Canada and TCF Canada for French.³⁸ PTE Academic, IELTS Academic and IELTS One Skill Retake are not accepted, and results must be less than 2 years old when you create your profile and when you apply (as of October 2026).³⁸

CLB level	IELTS General Training (speaking / listening / reading / writing)38
CLB 7	6.0 / 6.0 / 6.0 / 6.0
CLB 8	6.5 / 7.5 / 6.5 / 6.5
CLB 9	7.0 / 8.0 / 7.0 / 7.0
CLB 10	7.5 / 8.5 / 8.0 / 7.5

CELPIP-General levels map directly onto CLB levels, and IRCC publishes PTE Core bands separately (for CLB 9, speaking 84 to 88 and listening 82 to 88) (as of October 2026).³⁸

Australia: Competent, Proficient and Superior English

Competent English is the minimum, and Japanese passport holders must take a test: only UK, US, Canadian, New Zealand and Irish passports count on their own.³⁹ A new instrument changed the accepted tests and score bands for tests taken from 7 August 2025, and Home Affairs does not accept fully online or at-home versions (as of October 2026).³⁹

Level (each component)	IELTS (Academic or GT)	PTE Academic (L / R / W / S)	CELPIP General
Competent39	6	47 / 48 / 51 / 54	7
Proficient40	7	58 / 59 / 69 / 76	L9 / R8 / W10 / S8
Superior41	8	69 / 70 / 85 / 88	L10 / R10 / W12 / S10

Results generally must come from a test taken in the 3 years before you apply, depending on the subclass.³⁹ TOEFL iBT counts only via “Taking TOEFL for Australia”, and Cambridge C1 Advanced, MET, OET and LanguageCert Academic are also accepted at set scores.³⁹

UK: Secure English Language Tests (SELT)

The UK accepts only Secure English Language Tests (SELTs) from approved providers: outside the UK, PSI Skills for English UKVI, IELTS for UKVI and IELTS Life Skills, LanguageCert International ESOL SELT, Academic SELT and General SELT, and Pearson PTE Academic UKVI and PTE Home.⁴² The result must be awarded within 2 years before you apply (as of October 2026).⁴²

Comparison Table: Test x Country Acceptance and Validity

Test	Canada Express Entry	Australia	UK Skilled Worker
IELTS General Training	Yes	Yes	No (needs IELTS for UKVI)
IELTS Academic	No	Yes	No (needs IELTS for UKVI)
IELTS for UKVI	Not listed	Not separately listed	Yes
PTE Core	Yes	Not listed	No
PTE Academic	No	Yes	Only PTE Academic UKVI
CELPIP-General	Yes	Yes (in-person only)	No
TOEFL iBT	No	Yes (“Taking TOEFL for Australia”)	No
LanguageCert	No	LanguageCert Academic	SELT versions only
Validity	Under 2 years	Within 3 years	Within 2 years

Sources: official pages as of October 2026.⁴²³⁸³⁹ Test availability in Japan was not verified; check each operator’s centre list before booking.

Japan-Side Paperwork: Police Certificate, Medicals and Biometrics

The Japanese Police Certificate (Hanzai Keireki Shomeisho)

Japan’s police certificate is the Certificate of Criminal Record (Hanzai Keireki Shomeisho 犯罪経歴証明書, also called Toko Shomei), issued by prefectural police on an in-person request.⁴³⁴⁴ At the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department (TMPD) (as of October 2026):⁴⁴

• Apply in person at the Police Clearance Certificate Office at TMPD headquarters in Kasumigaseki if you are registered in Tokyo; your fingerprints are taken on site.
• Bring a passport, a residence record (Juminhyo 住民票) or address ID (foreign nationals: Juminhyo or residence card), and proof of need such as a letter from the requesting authority.
• The certificate is free and takes about 2 weeks (about 3 weeks around New Year and Golden Week).
• Collect it in person or through a named proxy; it is not mailed.
• If you already live abroad, apply to the prefectural police headquarters of your last registered address or through a Japanese embassy or consulate.

Other prefectures’ procedures were not verified; IRCC points applicants to the Identification Section of the Prefectural Police Headquarters, so contact yours first.⁴³

Each country asks for it at a different stage:

• Canada: do not submit a Japanese certificate with the PR application; IRCC sends a request letter if one is needed, and online applicants then open the sealed envelope, scan and upload it, and keep the original.⁴³ For other countries the general rule applies: any country where you or a family member aged 18 or over stayed 6 months in a row or longer in the last 10 years.⁴⁵
• Australia: an overseas police certificate is needed from every country, including your home country, where you spent 12 months or more in total in the last 10 years since turning 16 (as of October 2026).⁸
• UK: a criminal record certificate is needed only for jobs in education, health care, therapy and social services; under 28, it covers any country of 12 months’ stay since 18, and from 28, countries stayed in over the last 10 years (as of October 2026).³⁷

Immigration Medical Exams with Panel Physicians in Japan

Canada and Australia both require medicals by approved doctors. IRCC’s panel-physician finder lists Japan, and Australia requires examinations outside Australia by an approved panel physician or clinic, using a HAP ID and preferably before you lodge.⁴⁶⁴⁷²

The UK tuberculosis test is not required for applicants from Japan, which is not on the list of countries needing one (as of October 2026).⁴⁸

Biometrics and Visa Application Centres in Japan

• Canada: IRCC lists visa application centres in Tokyo and Osaka; biometrics cost CAD 85 per person, or CAD 170 maximum per family (as of October 2026).¹⁸⁴⁹
• Australia: Home Affairs tells you if biometrics are needed, and its list of Australian Biometrics Collection Centres (correct as of March 2026) has no location in Japan; if asked, confirm with Home Affairs where to give them.⁵⁰
• UK: depending on your nationality and passport, you prove identity with the “UK Immigration: ID Check” app or by giving biometrics at a visa application centre, whose locations in Japan were not verified for this guide.⁵¹

Strategic Steps While Still in Japan: Boosting Points Before Submitting an EOI

Levers You Control: Age Timing, Language Scores, Experience Thresholds, Spouse Factors, French

These are scoring facts, not guarantees of invitation (as of October 2026).

• Age timing: apply before a birthday that costs points (every year from 30 for CRS; 33 and 40 for Australia, assessed at invitation).⁹¹⁵
• Language: CLB 9 instead of CLB 8 adds 8 CRS points per ability and doubles language-based transferability points; Australian proficient or superior English adds 10 or 20.⁹¹⁵
• Experience: Australian points step up at 36, 60 and 96 months; the top CRS foreign-experience band starts at 3 years.⁹¹⁵
• Spouse or partner: up to 40 CRS spouse points; 10 Australian points for a skilled partner, or for being single or having an Australian citizen or PR partner.⁹¹⁵
• French: NCLC 7 in all four abilities adds 25 or 50 CRS points and opens the French category (2026 cut-offs 382 to 435).⁹²³⁵

Timeline from T-18 Months to Arrival

Timing	Action	Country	Note
T-18 to T-12 months	Compare systems; take an approved language test; order English transcripts and certificates; start the ECA or skills assessment	All	Canada test valid under 2 years, Australia within 3 years, UK SELT within 2 years423839
T-12 to T-6 months	Create an Express Entry profile; lodge a SkillSelect EOI; apply for state nomination; job search and CoS for the UK	All	ECA valid 5 years; Australian skills assessment normally 3 years132
After an ITA	Submit the PR application, medicals and biometrics	Canada	60-day deadline; police certificate only when IRCC requests it643
After an invitation	Lodge the visa application, health examinations, police certificates	Australia	Points must still be met at grant2
Up to 3 months before start	Apply for the Skilled Worker visa	UK	Criminal record certificate only for specified sectors337
T-3 months to departure	Japan exit procedures: moving-out notification, health insurance, pension, tax agent, bank accounts	Japan	Covered in the Japan exit procedures guides
After grant	Plan first entry or landing	Canada, Australia	Check your grant letter for any deadline; not verified for this guide

Japanese Citizens vs. Foreign Residents: Critical Distinctions

Issue	Japanese citizens	Foreign residents of Japan
Effect of foreign PR	Nationality unaffected; later voluntary naturalisation abroad means loss under Nationality Act Article 1152	Japanese status of residence lapses if you stay out beyond the re-entry permit period53
Registration abroad	Overseas residence registration if staying 3 months or more (Passport Act Article 16)54	Rules of your country of nationality
Police certificates	Japan, plus any other qualifying country458	Japan, country of nationality and any other qualifying country458
English evidence	Must test for Australia and the UK1239	Some nationalities are exempt (for example, Canada, the US, New Zealand and Australia for the UK)1239

Japanese citizens keep their nationality when they gain foreign permanent residence, because PR is not a nationality.⁵² Under Nationality Act Article 11(1), however, acquiring a foreign nationality by your own choice, for example by naturalising, means losing Japanese nationality; children’s dual nationality has its own guide.⁵² Staying abroad 3 months or more also requires the overseas residence registration (Zairyu Todoke 在留届) with the consulate under Passport Act Article 16.⁵⁴

Foreign residents of Japan face the same destination rules, plus police certificates from every other qualifying country of residence.⁴⁵⁸ Their Japanese status, including permanent residence, lapses if they stay out too long: a re-entry permit lasts up to 5 years (extendable abroad by up to 1 year, to no more than 6 years), and special re-entry permission lasts 1 year from departure without extension.⁵³

Pension and tax follow emigration in both cases. Japan’s agreements with Canada and Australia allow totalization of coverage periods, while the Japan-UK agreement only prevents dual coverage.⁵⁵ The lump-sum withdrawal payment for foreign residents, the January 1 rule for resident tax and, for large financial portfolios, the departure tax are each covered in their own guide.

Common Pitfalls & Regulatory Compliance Risks

• Taking the wrong test for Canada: PTE Academic and IELTS Academic are not accepted. Fix: book CELPIP-General, IELTS General Training or PTE Core.³⁸
• Relying on old job-offer advice: CRS job-offer points were repealed on 25 March 2025, and the replacement announced for 3 November 2026 covers high-wage occupations only. Fix: use IRCC’s current CRS criteria page.⁹²¹²⁰
• Letting documents expire in the pool: language results, ECAs and skills assessments all lapse. Fix: track every expiry date.^1338239
• Assuming 65 points means an invitation: invitations depend on rank and occupation places, and the invitation may set a higher score to meet at grant.²
• Overstating experience or using false documents: Canada can bar you for 5 years for misrepresentation under section 40 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.⁵⁶ Australia’s public interest criterion 4020 covers false information given to the department or to a skills assessing authority, and UK deception refusals can carry a 10-year re-entry ban.¹⁵⁵⁷
• Paying an unauthorised adviser: paid help must come from a CICC licensee, lawyer or other authorised person in Canada, a registered migration agent or legal practitioner in Australia, or an adviser regulated by the Immigration Advice Authority in the UK.⁵⁸⁵⁹⁶⁰
• Leaving Japan too early: the Tokyo police certificate must be collected in person or by a named proxy. Fix: plan pickup and the Japan exit procedures together.⁴⁴

See also

Overseas employment and work

• Expat Assignment (Chuzai) vs. Local Hire (Genchi Saiyo) Compared: how an employer transfer differs from a local hire in the employment, social insurance and tax rules that apply.

Travel and study routes

• Working Holiday Visas from Japan: Country Matrix & Age Limits: the route for younger applicants, including the UK Youth Mobility Scheme.
• Working Abroad After Graduation: OPT, Graduate Route, PGWP & 485: post-study work rights for graduates of foreign universities.

Pension and social security

• Japan Social Security Agreements: Totalization & Dual Coverage: how Japan’s agreements with Canada, Australia and the UK treat your pension coverage periods.

Destination guides and exit procedures

• Moving from Japan to New Zealand: Visas, Work, Tax & Residence: New Zealand’s Skilled Migrant Category and life after arrival.
• Resident Tax (Juminzei) When Leaving Japan: The January 1 Rule: how your departure date decides the resident tax you still owe.

References & Official Sources

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Important Cross-Border Mobility & Compliance Notice

All information presented in this reference publication is compiled from official government authorities, bilateral treaties, and statutory regulations. Cross-border tax obligations, visa eligibilities, pension disbursements, and residency classifications vary significantly based on individual citizenship, financial circumstances, and length of stay. Always seek professional advice from certified tax accountants (Zeirishi), licensed immigration specialists, or competent administrative authorities before taking irrevocable administrative or financial actions.

Footnotes

1. IRCC, “Eligibility to apply as a Federal Skilled Worker (Express Entry)”, page dated 2026-10-16, https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/eligibility/federal-skilled-workers.html ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷ ↩⁸

2. Department of Home Affairs, “Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) Points-tested stream”, accessed October 2026, https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/skilled-independent-189/points-tested ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷ ↩⁸ ↩⁹ ↩¹⁰ ↩¹¹ ↩¹² ↩¹³ ↩¹⁴ ↩¹⁵ ↩¹⁶ ↩¹⁷

3. UK Home Office, “Skilled Worker visa: Overview”, accessed October 2026, https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶

4. UK Home Office, Immigration Rules Appendix Skilled Worker (SW 4.1, SW 4.2, SW 6.1, SW 6.1A, SW 7.1 to 7.3, SW 21.1), accessed October 2026, https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules/immigration-rules-appendix-skilled-worker ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷ ↩⁸ ↩⁹ ↩¹⁰ ↩¹¹ ↩¹² ↩¹³ ↩¹⁴

5. IRCC, “Express Entry rounds of invitations” (data to round 450, 16 October 2026), https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/mandate/policies-operational-instructions-agreements/ministerial-instructions/express-entry-rounds.html ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷ ↩⁸

6. IRCC, “Express Entry: Apply for permanent residence”, accessed October 2026, https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/apply-permanent-residence.html ↩ ↩²

7. Federal Register of Legislation, Migration (LIN 19/210: Pool and Pass Marks for General Skilled Migration Visas) Instrument 2019, s 6, https://www.legislation.gov.au/F2019L01400/latest/text ↩ ↩²

8. Department of Home Affairs, “Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)”, accessed October 2026, https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/skilled-nominated-190 ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷ ↩⁸ ↩⁹ ↩¹⁰ ↩¹¹ ↩¹²

9. IRCC, “Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) criteria”, page dated 2026-10-16, https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/check-score/crs-criteria.html ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷ ↩⁸ ↩⁹ ↩¹⁰ ↩¹¹ ↩¹² ↩¹³ ↩¹⁴ ↩¹⁵ ↩¹⁶

10. UK Home Office, “Skilled Worker visa: When you can be paid less”, accessed October 2026, https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/when-you-can-be-paid-less ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶

11. IRCC, “Six selection factors: Federal Skilled Worker Program”, accessed October 2026, https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/eligibility/federal-skilled-workers/six-selection-factors-federal-skilled-workers.html ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷ ↩⁸ ↩⁹

12. UK Home Office, “Skilled Worker visa: Knowledge of English”, accessed October 2026, https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/knowledge-of-english ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷

13. IRCC, “Express Entry: Get your education assessed”, accessed October 2026, https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/documents/education-assessed.html ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶

14. Federal Register of Legislation, Migration (LIN 19/051: Specification of Occupations and Relevant Assessing Authorities) Instrument 2019, compilation F2026C00265 (28 March 2026), ss 7, 8, 9, 10AA, https://www.legislation.gov.au/F2019L00278/latest/text ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷

15. Federal Register of Legislation, Migration Regulations 1994, Compilation No. 289 (F2026C01017, in force 2 October 2026): Schedule 6D (vol 3), Schedule 1 items 1137 and 1138 (vol 1), Schedule 4 PIC 4020 (vol 3), https://www.legislation.gov.au/F1996B03551/latest/text ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷ ↩⁸ ↩⁹ ↩¹⁰ ↩¹¹ ↩¹² ↩¹³ ↩¹⁴ ↩¹⁵ ↩¹⁶

16. IRCC, “Proof of funds: Express Entry”, page dated 2026-10-16 (table updated 7 July 2025), https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/documents/proof-funds.html ↩ ↩²

17. UK Home Office, “Skilled Worker visa: How much it costs”, accessed October 2026, https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/how-much-it-costs ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴

18. IRCC, “Fee list”, date modified 2026-09-21, https://ircc.canada.ca/english/information/fees/fees.asp ↩ ↩²

19. IRCC, “Educational credential assessment (ECA) for Express Entry: points”, accessed October 2026, https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/documents/education-assessment.html ↩

20. IRCC, Ministerial Instructions Amending the Ministerial Instructions Respecting the Express Entry System, 2025-1, https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/mandate/policies-operational-instructions-agreements/ministerial-instructions/express-entry-application-management-system/amendment-2025-1.html ↩ ↩² ↩³

21. IRCC, “2026 Changes to points for Canadian work experience and job offers in the Express Entry system”, page dated 2026-10-16, https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/changes.html ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶

22. IRCC, news release “Canada refocusing Express Entry on top talent that drives economic growth”, 16 October 2026, https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/2026/10/canada-refocusing-express-entry-on-top-talent-that-drives-economic-growth.html ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴

23. IRCC, “Express Entry: Category-based selection”, page dated 2026-10-16, https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/rounds-invitations/category-based-selection.html ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴

24. IRCC, news release “Canada prioritizes top talent in 2026 immigration Express Entry categories”, 18 February 2026, https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/2026/02/canada-prioritizes-top-talent-in-2026-immigration-express-entry-categories.html ↩

25. IRCC, backgrounder “Attracting the world’s best talent to fill Canada’s labour gaps and build our economy”, 18 February 2026, https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/2026/02/attracting-the-worlds-best-talent-to-fill-canadas-labour-gaps-and-build-our-economy.html ↩

26. Department of Home Affairs, “Skilled occupation list”, accessed October 2026, https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/working-in-australia/skill-occupation-list ↩

27. Department of Home Affairs, “SkillSelect: Invitation rounds” and visa processing priority banners (Ministerial Direction No. 122), last updated 14 October 2026, https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/working-in-australia/skillselect/invitation-rounds ↩ ↩²

28. Minister for Home Affairs, Speech, National Press Club, 17 September 2026, https://minister.homeaffairs.gov.au/TonyBurke/Pages/speech-national-press-club-17092026.aspx ↩

29. UK Home Office, Explanatory Memorandum to the Statement of Changes HC 997 (1 July 2025), https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/statement-of-changes-to-the-immigration-rules-hc-997-1-july-2025 ↩ ↩² ↩³

30. UK Home Office, “Immigration Rules: statement of changes” collection (HC 1491, HC 1691, HC 259 of 9 July 2026, HC 584 of 3 September 2026 reviewed), https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/immigration-rules-statement-of-changes ↩ ↩²

31. UK Home Office, “Skilled Worker visa: Your job”, accessed October 2026, https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/your-job ↩

32. UK Home Office, Explanatory Memorandum to the Statement of Changes HC 1333 (14 October 2025), paras 5.21 to 5.23, https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/statement-of-changes-to-the-immigration-rules-hc-1333-14-october-2025 ↩

33. UK Home Office, “Immigration Skills Charge”, accessed October 2026, https://www.gov.uk/uk-visa-sponsorship-employers/immigration-skills-charge ↩

34. UK Home Office, Explanatory Memorandum to the Statement of Changes HC 1691 (5 March 2026), paras 5.60 to 5.62 (the statement is HC 1691; gov.uk’s publication URL slug reads “hc-1619”), https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/statement-of-changes-to-the-immigration-rules-hc-1619-5-march-2026/explanatory-memorandum-to-the-statement-of-changes-in-the-immigration-rules-hc-1691-5-march-2026-accessible ↩

35. UK Home Office, “A Fairer Pathway to Settlement” (CP 1448), November 2025, https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/691edda450b16caf978153d8/Command_Paper_final_-_reviewed7.pdf ↩

36. UK Home Office, “Earned settlement” consultation page, accessed October 2026, https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/earned-settlement ↩

37. UK Home Office, “Skilled Worker visa: Documents you’ll need to apply”, accessed October 2026, https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/documents-you-must-provide ↩ ↩² ↩³

38. IRCC, “Language test equivalency charts / approved language tests: Express Entry”, accessed October 2026, https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/documents/language-requirements/language-testing.html ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷ ↩⁸

39. Department of Home Affairs, “Competent English”, accessed October 2026, https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/meeting-our-requirements/english-language/competent-english; score bands and passports cross-checked against the Migration (Specification of Language Tests, Test Scores and Passports) Instrument 2025 (LIN 25/016, F2025L00905, commenced 7 August 2025), Schedules 2 and 3, https://www.legislation.gov.au/F2025L00905/latest/text ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷ ↩⁸ ↩⁹ ↩¹⁰

40. Department of Home Affairs, “Proficient English”, accessed October 2026, https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/meeting-our-requirements/english-language/proficient-english ↩

41. Department of Home Affairs, “Superior English”, accessed October 2026, https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/meeting-our-requirements/english-language/superior-english ↩

42. UK Home Office, “Prove your English language abilities with a secure English language test (SELT)”, accessed October 2026, https://www.gov.uk/guidance/prove-your-english-language-abilities-with-a-secure-english-language-test-selt ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴

43. IRCC, “Police certificates: how to get one: Japan”, accessed October 2026, https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/medical-police/police-certificates/how/japan.html ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴

44. Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, “How to apply for Certificate of Criminal Record (Toko Shomei / Hanzai Keireki Shomeisho)”, accessed October 2026, https://www.keishicho.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/multilingual/english/finding_services/applications/criminal_record.html ↩ ↩² ↩³

45. IRCC, “Express Entry: Police certificates”, accessed October 2026, https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/documents/police-certificates.html ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴

46. IRCC, “Find a panel physician”, accessed October 2026, https://secure.cic.gc.ca/pp-md/pp-list.aspx ↩

47. Department of Home Affairs, “Arrange your health examinations”, accessed October 2026, https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/meeting-our-requirements/health/arrange-your-health-examinations ↩

48. UK Home Office, “Tuberculosis tests for visa applicants: countries where you need a TB test”, accessed October 2026, https://www.gov.uk/tb-test-visa/countries-where-you-need-a-tb-test-to-enter-the-uk ↩

49. IRCC, “Find a visa application centre”, accessed October 2026, https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/contact-ircc/offices/find-visa-application-centre ↩

50. Department of Home Affairs, “Biometrics” (ABCC locations correct as of March 2026), last updated 24 September 2026, https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/meeting-our-requirements/biometrics ↩

51. UK Home Office, “Skilled Worker visa: Apply from outside the UK”, accessed October 2026, https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/apply-from-outside-the-uk ↩

52. e-Gov Laws, 国籍法 (Nationality Act, Act No. 147 of 1950), Article 11, https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/325AC0000000147 ↩ ↩² ↩³

53. e-Gov Laws, 出入国管理及び難民認定法 (Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act), Articles 26 and 26-2, https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/326CO0000000319 ↩ ↩²

54. e-Gov Laws, 旅券法 (Passport Act, Act No. 267 of 1951), Article 16, https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/326AC0000000267 ↩ ↩²

55. Japan Pension Service, “Status of Social Security Agreements”, accessed October 2026, https://www.nenkin.go.jp/international/english/agreement/status.html ↩

56. Justice Laws Website (Canada), Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, s 40, https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/i-2.5/section-40.html ↩

57. UK Home Office, Immigration Rules Part Suitability (SUI 9.1, 10.1, 11.4, 12.1), accessed October 2026, https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules/immigration-rules-part-suitability ↩

58. IRCC, “Authorized paid representatives”, accessed October 2026, https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigration-citizenship-representative/choose/authorized.html ↩

59. Department of Home Affairs, “Who can help with your application”, last updated 16 April 2026, https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/who-can-help-with-your-application ↩

60. Immigration Advice Authority, organisation page, accessed October 2026, https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/immigration-advice-authority ↩