Japanese Work Visas ｜Status of Residence

To work in Japan, foreign nationals must obtain a work visa, officially called a "Status of Residence" (在留資格, zairyū shikaku). There are many types of these visas, each with different categories for various job types, educational backgrounds, and professional skills.

Main Types of Work Visas

Japanese work visas can be broadly divided into the following categories. Each has its own unique application requirements and benefits.

Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services (技術・人文知識・国際業務, Gijutsu / Jinbun Chishiki / Kokusai Gyōmu)

This is the most common work visa, suitable for jobs that require specialized knowledge and skills, such as engineers, designers, marketers, and international traders.

• Requirements: Typically requires a bachelor's degree or a "Specialist" (専門士, senmonshi) title from a Japanese vocational school, with the field of study being relevant to the job.

• Period of Stay: 1 year, 3 years, or 5 years.

Highly Skilled Professional (高度専門職, Kōdo Senmonshoku)

This visa is designed to attract highly qualified foreign talent. Applicants must pass a points-based system that evaluates their education, work experience, and annual income.

• Key Benefits:

  • The period of stay is typically 5 years.

  • You can bring a spouse and parents to Japan, and the spouse has fewer work restrictions.

  • The time required to apply for permanent residency can be significantly shortened (usually 10 years, but highly skilled professionals only need 3 or even 1 year).

  • You can engage in multiple types of work in Japan without strict job category restrictions.

Specified Skilled Worker (特定技能, Tokutei Ginō)

This visa was created to address Japan's labor shortage and is mainly for specific industries like nursing care, agriculture, construction, and hospitality.

• Specified Skilled Worker (i): Period of stay is a maximum of 5 years. Family members cannot be brought to Japan.

• Specified Skilled Worker (ii): The period of stay can be renewed indefinitely, and family members can be brought to Japan.

Business Manager (経営・管理, Keiei / Kanri)

This visa is for foreign nationals who start a business, invest, or hold a management position in a company in Japan.

• Requirements: Typically requires a certain amount of investment (e.g., over ¥5 million) and submission of a detailed business plan.

• Period of Stay: 1 year, 3 years, or 5 years.

Intra-Company Transferee (企業内転勤, Kigyōnai Tenkin)

This is for employees of multinational companies who are being transferred from an overseas branch or office to the head office or a branch in Japan.

• Requirements: You need to prove your employment period at the overseas company and the relationship between the Japanese company and the overseas company.

Application Process

The application process for most work visas is divided into two main steps:

1. Application for the Certificate of Eligibility (在留資格認定証明書, Zairyū Shikaku Nintei Shōmeisho):

• This is typically submitted by the Japanese employer or company on behalf of the applicant to the Immigration Services Agency.

• The immigration bureau reviews the applicant's qualifications and the company's status.

• If approved, a Certificate of Eligibility is issued.

2. Application for the Visa (査証, Sashō):

• After receiving the Certificate of Eligibility, the applicant must submit it to the Japanese embassy or consulate in their home country to obtain the official entry visa.

• Upon entering Japan with the visa, a Residence Card (在留カード, zairyū kādo) will be issued at the airport.

Important Notes

• Relevance of Education and Work: Most work visas require that the applicant's education or work experience is highly relevant to the job they will be doing in Japan.

• Employer Stability: The immigration bureau will review the size, financial status, and stability of the employer company to ensure it can pay the applicant's salary.

• Changing Jobs: If you change jobs while holding a work visa, you generally only need to file an online notification with the Immigration Services Agency, as long as the new job's duties are within the scope of your current visa. However, if the new job is not consistent with your current visa, you will need to apply for a "Change of Status of Residence" (在留資格変更許可, Zairyū Shikaku Henkō Kyoka).

• Period Without Work: If you are unemployed for more than three months while changing jobs, there is a risk that your visa could be revoked.