Visa Types for Living in Japan

The Complete Guide to Residence Status and Long-Term Living in Japan

Chapter 1 – The Basics of Japan’s Visa System

Living in Japan long-term requires understanding how the country’s immigration system works at a fundamental level. Unlike many countries that rely on a single “visa permit,” Japan uses a status of residence system. While people casually refer to “Japanese visas,” the correct legal framework revolves around the status of residence (在留資格) granted at the time of entry or through a domestic status change.

1.1 Visa vs Status of Residence

A visa (査証) is simply an entry document issued by a Japanese embassy or consulate abroad. It allows the holder to travel to Japan and request permission to enter the country.
A visa itself does not guarantee entry, nor does it determine what you are allowed to do once inside Japan.

Instead, at immigration inspection:

• The applicant is screened.
• Immigration determines eligibility.
• A status of residence and period of stay are issued.
• A Residence Card is created for all mid-to-long-term residents.

Your legal ability to work, study, operate a business, or bring family members depends entirely on your status of residence, not the visa sticker in your passport.

1.2 The Residence Card System

Anyone staying in Japan longer than 3 months receives a Residence Card. This card:

• Lists your visa category (status of residence)
• Shows your period of stay
• Includes your address and personal details
• Is mandatory to carry at all times

When you move residence, change employers, or modify your activities, you must report changes to immigration authorities or your municipal office.

1.3 Core Rules Governing All Statuses

1.3.1 Work Restrictions

Each visa category authorizes specific types of labor only.
Working outside your approved field is illegal unless special permission is granted (Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted).

1.3.2 Part-Time Employment for Non-Workers

Students and dependents may apply for activity permissions allowing work up to 28 hours per week.

1.3.3 Residency Maintenance

To maintain legal status:

• Your activities must align with your visa purpose.
• Taxes must be paid.
• Employment or enrollment must remain valid.
• Address registration is mandatory.

Failure may result in visa cancellation or non-renewal.

1.4 General Application Flow

Japan uses a multi-stage immigration process:

Step 1 – Certificate of Eligibility (COE)

Your sponsor in Japan submits documents to Immigration obtaining a COE, verifying that you qualify for your intended status.

Step 2 – Visa Issuance

You submit the COE to a Japanese embassy or consulate to receive a visa sticker.

Step 3 – Entry Inspection

Immigration at the port of entry grants:

• Your status of residence
• Your authorized length of stay

1.5 Categories of Status of Residence

Japan divides residency into the following major groups:

Chapter 2 – Major White-Collar Work Visas

Japan offers multiple employer-sponsored visas designed for professional and office-based professions.

2.1 Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services

This is the most commonly issued professional visa and covers:

• Software engineers
• Web developers
• Marketing professionals
• Account managers
• Import/export staff
• Translators/interpreters

Requirements

1. Bachelor’s degree related to job field
   or
2. 10+ years of work experience

Additional requirements:

• Stable employment offer
• Salary equivalent to Japanese workers
• Real business operations of the sponsoring company

Benefits

• Unlimited job changes within field
• Renewable status
• Full-time lawful employment

2.2 Business Manager Visa (Entrepreneur & Startup Visa)

This visa allows foreigners to:

• Establish and operate corporations
• Manage restaurants, export-import businesses, IT startups

Requirements

Common Mistakes

• Using residential addresses as offices
• No Japanese staff
• Insufficient revenue proof

2.3 Highly Skilled Professional Visa

This premium category uses a point-based evaluation system:

Threshold:

70 points or more

Benefits

• Fast-track permanent residency (1–3 years)
• Permission for dependent employment
• Flexible work permissions
• Household domestic worker sponsorship

2.4 Academic and Teaching Visas

Professor

University teaching and research.

Instructor

Public schools and ALT programs.

Education

Private schools and language instructors.

All require academic credentials and institutional employment sponsorship.

Chapter 3 – Skilled Labor and Blue-Collar Employment Visas

3.1 Skilled Worker Visa

Designed for trades requiring foreign cultural expertise, including:

• International chefs (Western, Chinese, Indian cuisine)
• Jewel crafting technicians
• Sports trainers
• Construction artisans

Requirements

• 10 years documented experience (education included)
• Full-time employment contract

3.2 Specified Skilled Worker (SSW)

Created to fill labor shortages:

• Elder care
• Restaurants
• Agriculture
• Construction
• Aviation maintenance

SSW Type 1

• 5-year maximum stay
• No family sponsorship

SSW Type 2

• Renewable indefinitely
• Family sponsorship allowed

Pathway from Technical Intern Training

Many interns transition:

Intern → Skills exam → Japanese language test → SSW conversion

Chapter 4 – Student and Non-Work Visas

4.1 Student Visa

Issued to individuals:

• Attending Japanese language schools
• Enrolling in vocational colleges
• Studying in universities

Employment Rights

Up to 28 hours/week (40 during vacations).

Working without authorization leads to visa cancellation.

4.2 Cultural Activities Visa

Granted to individuals:

• Learning Japanese arts
• Conducting non-income research

Examples:

• Martial arts training
• Tea ceremony study
• Historical language research

No paid activities allowed.

4.3 Short-Term Stay Visa

• Tourism
• Family visits
• Conferences

Duration: 15–90 days
No employment permitted.

4.4 Dependent Visa

Spouses and children of work or student visa holders.

Work permission is limited to part-time employment only.

Chapter 5 – Family and Status-Based Visas

5.1 Spouse of Japanese National

Provides one of the most advantageous residency statuses.

Rights

• No employment restrictions
• Free job changes
• Simplified permanent residency qualification

Documentation Required

• Marriage certificate
• Proof of cohabitation
• Stable income evidence

5.2 Spouse of Permanent Resident

Nearly identical benefits to spouses of Japanese nationals.

5.3 Long-Term Resident (Teijusha)

Granted to:

• Descendants of Japanese nationals (Nikkei 2nd/3rd generation)
• Divorced parents raising Japanese children
• Humanitarian cases

Employment is fully unrestricted.

Chapter 6 – Special Activities & Alternative Visas

Japan operates a unique immigration framework known as Designated Activities (特定活動).
This category functions as a legal “flex space,” allowing Immigration Services to authorize activities not covered under conventional visa classifications.

6.1 Working Holiday Visa

The Working Holiday program exists under bilateral agreements between Japan and select countries, offering young people the opportunity to experience Japanese culture while supporting themselves through short-term employment.

Eligibility Criteria

• Nationals of partner countries including Australia, Canada, UK, France, Germany, Korea, Taiwan, etc.
• Age generally between 18 to 30 (some countries allow up to 35).
• Proof of return ticket or travel funds.
• No dependent accompaniment.

Key Features

• Initial stay: 6 to 12 months
• Employment across multiple industries permitted.
• Extensions possible for some nationalities.
• No formal employer sponsorship needed.

This visa is ideal for:

• Gap-year travelers
• Cultural explorers
• Young professionals seeking Japanese exposure prior to career relocation

6.2 Digital Nomad Visa

Japan introduced its Digital Nomad “Designated Activities” visa to attract high-income foreign professionals who work remotely for overseas companies or maintain freelance operations abroad.

Eligibility Criteria

• Employment with foreign employer or overseas-based freelancing income.
• Annual income: ≥ ¥10 million
• Comprehensive private health insurance.
• No work activities conducted for Japanese domestic entities.

Conditions

• Initial stay: 6 months
• No renewal or status conversion within Japan.
• Family members may accompany the applicant under special designation.

This status is suitable for:

• Software developers
• Designers
• Investment consultants
• Remote executives

6.3 Job-Hunting Visa

Graduates of Japanese institutions may stay under Special Activities to seek local employment.

Requirements

• Graduation from recognized Japanese universities or vocational schools.
• Proof of graduation and transcripts.
• Documented job search plan.

Duration

• Typically granted for 6 months, renewable once.

6.4 Internship Visa

Unpaid internships related to academic programs can be authorized under special activity designations.

• Academic institution backing required.
• Contract nature must be clearly educational.
• Commercial activities prohibited.

Chapter 7 – Permanent Residency & Naturalization

7.1 Permanent Residency (PR)

Permanent residency offers unrestricted employment, residency security, and access to most social services.

General Requirements

Fast-Track Routes

Highly Skilled Professionals:

Spouses of Japanese nationals:

• Eligible after 1 year marriage + continued residence.

7.2 Application Documentation

• Detailed tax payment records
• Pension contribution history
• Letter of employment
• Household income proof
• Guarantor statement from Japanese resident

Processing typically requires:

• 4–12 months

7.3 Naturalization (Japanese Citizenship)

Naturalization grants:

• Japanese nationality
• Japanese passport
• Voting rights

Key Conditions

Applicants must usually renounce prior citizenship
(Japan prohibits dual nationality).

Chapter 8 – Practical Visa Application Guide

8.1 Required Core Documents

• Passport
• Passport photo
• COE or Change of Status forms
• Education certificates
• Job contracts
• Certificate of income or investment

8.2 Renewal & Status Change

Applications should be submitted:

• 30–90 days before expiration

Processing Duration

• Standard work visas: 2–6 weeks
• Family visas: 1–3 months
• Permanent Residency: 4–12 months

8.3 Common Rejection Reasons

8.4 Appeals and Reapplication

Rejected applicants may:

1. Submit additional documentation
2. Reapply after circumstances change
3. Request review explanation

Chapter 9 – Building a Life in Japan

9.1 Housing

Most foreigners face challenges securing housing due to guarantor requirements.

Solutions:

• Guarantee companies
• English-support real estate agencies
• Furnished rental providers

9.2 Bank Accounts

Opening requirements:

• Residence card
• Japanese phone number
• Tax/MyNumber certificate

9.3 Taxation & Social Insurance

Taxes

• Income tax: 5–45%
• Resident tax: ~10%

Social Insurance

All residents must enroll in:

• National Pension
• National Health Insurance
  or corporate social programs

9.4 Employment Changes

Job changes require:

• Immigration notification within 14 days
• Confirmation that work matches visa conditions

Unauthorized work results in:

• Visa withdrawal
• Deportation risk

Chapter 10 – Final Case Studies & FAQ

10.1 Case Studies

Case A – International Engineer

• Visa: Engineer/Specialist
• Salary: ¥6.5 million annually
• Applied directly overseas via COE
• Transitioned to permanent residency after 3 years

Case B – Restaurant Entrepreneur

• Visa: Business Manager
• Investment: ¥5 million
• Established Japanese staff
• Maintained operational office

Case C – Student to SSW Worker

• Japanese school
• Part-time compliant employment
• Passed skills exam
• Converted to SSW working visa

10.2 Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I work without a college degree?
Yes, with 10+ years of professional experience.

Q: Is Japanese language mandatory?
Most visas do not legally require Japanese, but employment competitiveness improves with JLPT N2+.

Q: What income level is needed to sponsor family?

• Single dependent: ¥3 – 4 million yearly
• Family: ¥4 – 6 million+

Q: Can I freelance on a work visa?

Only if the activities precisely match your permitted work scope.

Q: Can I remain in Japan after losing a job?

Yes, for up to 3 months of job searching provided immigration notifications are filed.

FINAL SUMMARY

This complete guide has presented:

✅ All major Japanese visa categories
✅ Employment, skilled trade, and student routes
✅ Family-based residency
✅ Special Activity and Digital Nomad visas
✅ Permanent Residency and citizenship pathways
✅ Practical living guidance