This page provides guidance to candidates who plan to enter Japan with their pets, as this process requires thorough preparation.

In this guide, we present a timeline that would allow a candidate to successfully carry out both their personal visa procedures and the necessary quarantine preparations for their pet, so they could arrive in Japan in time for their scheduled employment start date.

All listed procedures are based on Japan’s Animal Quarantine Service regulations.

This guide is specifically for dogs and cats. Different procedures may apply to other animals.

Please note: Candidates entering Japan with a pet must submit specific documents to our company. Delays in these procedures may result in a postponed start date or, in some cases, the withdrawal of the job offer.

This document is intended as a general overview. Candidates should verify all timelines and requirements independently. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, please refer to the Animal Quarantine Service website (linked above).

1. [Model Case] Basic timeline – assuming a scheduled start date of April 1

Stage	Procedure details	Remarks
September to October (previous year)	• Microchip implanting • First rabies vaccination	Vaccinations must be administered after the microchip is implanted.
October to mid-November (previous year)	• Second rabies vaccination	Thirty-day period between the first and second rabies vaccinations.
From mid-November (previous year)	• Rabies antibody test	Travel to Japan is not permitted within 180 days after the date of the test (quarantine/waiting period).
Until the end of December (previous year)	• Begin visa application procedures	Required documents will be collected from the candidate.
Early January	• Set a tentative date for arrival in Japan • Notify the Animal Quarantine Service at least 40 days in advance	Travel date should align with the start of employment (e.g., late March to early April).
February to March	• Obtain a health certificate (within 10 days prior to departure) • Arrange flight and pet transportation	To be carried out according to the planned travel date.
Late March to early April	• Arrive in Japan with pet • Animal quarantine (import inspection) / immigration procedures • Start of employment	If all procedures are properly completed, entry into Japan is permitted without quarantine.

 

Important notes:

The model case above requires at least six months of preparation time. If there are any delays in travel procedures, issues with quarantine documents, failure to submit required notifications, or insufficient antibody levels (from the antibody test), the pet may be denied entry or subjected to quarantine. In such cases, the candidate's travel and employment start may also be affected (including possible cancellation of the job offer).

Further notes regarding traveling with a pet:

• Pet transportation policies (e.g., carrier size, temperature restrictions, in-cabin availability) vary between airlines. We recommend you check with your airline for the most up-to-date information regarding their policies.
• If you plan on transiting through another country on your way to Japan, please be aware that you may be subject to the animal import and quarantine regulations of that country.
• Only designated airports in Japan — such as Narita, Haneda, and Kansai — are authorized to process animal quarantine. Entry via other airports may not be possible.
• You can find contact information for the quarantine offices of various Japanese airports and seaports on this page. For immediate answers to commonly asked questions, including inquiries related to other animals, please consult this FAQ page.

2. [Important] List of required documents (for employment start date: April 1)

• The following is a list of documents that must be submitted in advance.
• Please ensure that each document is submitted by the specified deadline.
• Failure to submit the documents, and inform us after each step, may result in the cancellation of the job offer.
 

No.	Document Name	Description	Suggested Submission Deadline*
1	Microchip Certificate	Issued by a veterinarian, showing date of implantation and serial number.	End of October (previous year)
2	Rabies Vaccination Certificates (each dose)	Two certificates with vaccination dates, vaccine info, and vet signatures.	End of November (previous year)
3	Rabies Antibody Test Result Certificate	Shows antibody level (0.5 IU/ml or higher) and test date.	Mid-December (previous year)
4	Copy of Notification to Animal Quarantine Office	Email confirmation or PDF copy of submitted notification.	End of January
5	Health Certificate Submission Confirmation	Statement confirming intent to obtain health certificate within 10 days before travel.	End of February

*Calculated by working backwards from an assumed employment start date of April 1.

Important notes:

• All of the above documents are required for entry into Japan and for completing the pet quarantine process.
• Failure to submit any of the documents or submission of incomplete documents may result in your pet being denied entry to Japan, which could also interfere with your own entry and employment.
• Please be aware that if the necessary procedures are not completed, our company reserves the right to withdraw your offer of employment.

3. Housing options for pet owners

Please note that pet-friendly housing options are limited. When supporting your housing arrangements upon arrival, it is possible that we will only be able to find accommodations in specific locations. As such, we may need to designate your residential area in order to secure a suitable property.

Also, for pet-friendly properties arranged through our company, extra fees will apply in addition to the standard move-in costs:

• You will be required to pay an additional one month’s rent on top of the usual contract fees.
• Upon moving out, you will be charged a cleaning fee of around ¥35,000. This is separate from any standard cleaning costs.

As pet ownership may incur higher-than-usual costs, we strongly recommend that candidates prepare financially before they move, to avoid placing an unnecessary burden on their daily lives.

Please also note that documentation, such as proof of combined vaccination, will be required when moving into a pet-friendly property.

It is possible to arrange pet-friendly accommodations without our support. Generally, this will also involve additional fees beyond the standard housing costs.