Ever dreamed of living in Japan – not just for work, but maybe to study, start a business, or even enjoy the freedom of working remotely in a new culture? Whether you're drawn by career opportunities, academic pursuits, or the unique lifestyle, Japan offers a wide range of visa options tailored to different life paths.
From highly skilled professionals and international students to digital nomads and entrepreneurs, here’s a closer look at the most common visa types available for foreigners looking to build a life in Japan.
1.Work Visa
The Working Visa is among the most common for expats. It includes multiple sub-categories depending on one’s profession.
Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services: For foreign professionals in engineering, IT, accounting, translation, language teaching, marketing, and similar fields.
Skilled Labour: For specialised jobs such as foreign cuisine chefs, carpenters, shipbuilders, and others.
Intra-Company Transferee: For employees of foreign companies transferred to a branch office in Japan.
Each type of visa requires a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) as a supporting document, which is issued by your employer or the inviting institution in Japan. The COE must be obtained before applying for the actual work visa at the Japanese embassy or consulate in your home country. The COE is processed by the Ministry of Justice and involves submission by the Japanese company to the immigration bureau.
2. Highly Skilled Professional Visa
This visa is for individuals with advanced academic or career achievements. It offers several significant benefits, including a five-year period of stay, a fast-track route to permanent residency, the ability to bring family members, and flexible working conditions. Eligible family members include spouses, children, and even parents who care for grandchildren under the age of seven, as well as domestic helpers.
3. Specified Skilled Worker (SSW)
Introduced in 2019, the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) visa was created to address labour shortages in key industries across Japan. To qualify, applicants must be at least 18 years old, in good physical health, and pass both a skills test and a Japanese language test, typically at the JLPT N4 level or its equivalent.
There are two categories under the SSW scheme:
SSW Type 1: Allows foreign workers to stay in Japan for up to five years and work across 16 designated sectors, such as elderly care, hospitality, construction, agriculture, and food services. While family accompaniment is not permitted under this category, workers will receive the same salary as Japanese employees and are often provided with Japanese language training and support by their employers.
SSW Type 2: This visa is for advanced skilled workers in 11 specialised sectors. This visa category allows family members to accompany the worker, has no restriction on the duration of stay, and offers a pathway to permanent residency, making it a suitable option for those looking to live in Japan long-term.
4. Student Visa
The Student Visa is for those enrolled in Japanese universities, vocational colleges, or language schools. Applicants need a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) issued by their educational institution before applying at the embassy.
Students are allowed to work part-timefor up to 28 hours a week during the school term, and up to 40 hours during the holidays, but only with permission from immigration. Working in adult entertainment or jobs that interfere with studies is prohibited.
Financial proof is required to show you can support yourself during your stay. After graduation, students may apply to change their status if they find a job in Japan.
5. Cultural Activities Visa
The Cultural Activities Visa is intended for non-income-generating activities in Japan, such as academic research or the pursuit of traditional Japanese arts and culture.This includes specialised studies or training in areas like ikebana (flower arrangement), sado (tea ceremony), calligraphy, martial arts, or other cultural practices unique to Japan. Although it does not allow paid work, the visa offers a way to experience deep cultural immersion or join unpaid internships related to cultural fields.
However, since this visa category does not permityou to earn an income, applicants must prove that they have sufficient financial resources to support themselves during their stay in Japan.
6. Designated Activities Visa
A flexible visa category for specific purposes such as job hunting after graduating from a Japanese university, activities such as an amateur athlete, nurses from economic partnership programmes, and family members of highly skilled professionals.
As of 31 March 2024, the Japanese government introduced a new type of Specified Visa: Designated Activities for the Digital Nomad, allowing remote workers from eligible countries to stay in Japan for up to six months. Spouses and children may accompany the applicant, though eligibility is limited to citizens of specific designated countries.
7. Start-up Visa
Ideal for those wishing to launch a new business in Japan with support from local governments. The visa grants up to one year of stay to prepare before transitioning to a Business Manager Visa. The requirements to switch to a Business Manager Visa are having a solid business plan, renting office space in Japan, and securing sponsorship from a specific municipal government.
This visa provides a golden opportunity for foreign entrepreneurs to start a business under the guidance of local authorities.
Ready to take off?
Each visa comes with different requirements and limitations, including permitted activities, length of stay, and eligibility to bring dependants. You may also apply for a change of status if your job or personal situation changes (e.g., marriage, graduation, new employer).
Understanding the visa categories available is essential for a smooth and legal stay in Japan. Always refer to the latest updates from the Japanese Immigration Services Agency or consult a certified visa consultant for guidance.
So, are you ready to embark on your journey to Japan and explore all the opportunities that await?
