Part of 特定活動 (Designated Activities). The Medical Stay visa is 特定活動告示第 25 号 (patient) and 第 26 号 (companion) — two of 20+ sub-types under Japan's catch-all Designated Activities residence status. See the Designated Activities hub for the full list.
The Medical Stay visa (医療滞在) is Japan's dedicated channel for foreign patients who travel to the country specifically to receive medical treatment. It was formalized in 2011 as part of Japan's push to become a regional medical tourism hub and is administered under 特定活動告示第 25 号 for patients and 第 26 号 for one accompanying family member or caregiver. Unlike a tourist visa, it allows stays long enough to complete complex treatments — from advanced cancer therapy and cardiac surgery to organ transplants and long-term rehabilitation — and can be renewed for as long as treatment continues.
Eligibility hinges on paperwork from a Japanese medical institution (病院), not on nationality or income. The hospital must issue an acceptance letter describing the patient's diagnosis, proposed treatment, and expected length of stay, and you must prove you can pay — either through bank statements, a guarantor, or a deposit already lodged with the hospital. Because navigating Japanese hospital admissions from overseas is logistically difficult, most applicants work with an MOFA-certified Medical Travel Support Company (医療渡航支援企業) that handles the hospital liaison, interpretation, and the Certificate of Eligibility filing on their behalf. The period of stay is tailored to the treatment plan — typically 3 months, 6 months, or up to 1 year — and can be renewed indefinitely with an updated medical certificate.
One companion (同伴者) per patient is permitted under 第 26 号, usually a spouse, parent, or adult child. The companion visa is strictly for supporting the patient and does not permit paid work. Note that while time on Medical Stay counts toward the 10-year continuous residence requirement for permanent residency, it does not count toward the 5-year qualifying work-visa subset that most PR paths require, so this status is not a practical route to long-term settlement. Patients who end up needing to stay in Japan long-term typically convert to another status — most commonly 特定活動 under a different notice, or a family-based status if they marry a Japanese resident.
Who Is This For
- ✓Foreign patients seeking advanced cancer treatment, cardiovascular surgery, or specialized procedures at Japanese hospitals
- ✓Patients requiring long-term rehabilitation or post-operative care in Japan
- ✓Family members or professional caregivers accompanying a patient (one companion per patient under 告示 26)
- ✓Patients referred by overseas doctors to Japanese specialists under the Medical Excellence Japan scheme
- ✓Non-Japanese nationals whose home country cannot provide the needed level of care
Requirements
- •Confirmed acceptance letter from a Japanese medical institution (病院) describing diagnosis, treatment plan, and expected duration
- •Proof of ability to pay all medical costs (bank statements, guarantor\'s certificate, or deposit receipt from the hospital)
- •Engagement with a Medical Travel Support Company (医療渡航支援企業) certified by MOFA, or an equivalent supporter
- •Travel insurance or private medical insurance covering the treatment period
- •No intent to work or engage in any paid activity in Japan
- •Valid passport for patient and companion
- •For companion: evidence of relationship (family registry, marriage certificate) or a caregiver service contract
Full breakdown of Immigration fees, scrivener rates, and all other costs for this visa type.
Required Documents
- Application for Certificate of Eligibility (W form) for 特定活動
- Valid passport
- Letter from the Japanese medical institution stating diagnosis, treatment plan, and expected length of stay
- Identity confirmation of the Medical Travel Support Company, if used
- Proof of financial means covering treatment and living expenses
- Medical / travel insurance certificate
- For companion: proof of relationship to the patient
- Photograph (4cm x 3cm, taken within 3 months)
Application Process
- 1Contact a Japanese hospital or a Medical Travel Support Company to arrange the initial consultation
- 2Obtain the hospital\'s acceptance letter with diagnosis and treatment plan
- 3Prepare proof of funds and engage a guarantor or support company as required
- 4Apply for a Certificate of Eligibility at a Regional Immigration Services Bureau in Japan (typically filed by the support company)
- 5Apply for the visa at the Japanese Embassy / Consulate in your home country
- 6Enter Japan and receive your residence card at the airport
- 7Before the period expires, if treatment is ongoing, apply for a Period-of-Stay Extension with an updated medical certificate
Apply for the Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
Once you've chosen your visa, your Japan-side sponsor (employer / school / family) files the COE with Immigration — then you exchange it for a visa at the embassy.