What are work visas for foreigners? An explanation of all 16 types, how to obtain them and what to look out for

In order for foreigners to work in Japan, they must obtain a work visa in advance. Depending on the nature of the work to be performed, work visas are divided into 16 categories, so it is important to have a correct understanding of which field the foreigner’s visa falls under.

The main points of this article are as follows.

✓Work visa is the common name for the status of residence required to work in Japan. ✓Although it is called a ‘visa’, it is not the same as a visa, which is a permit to enter Japan. ✓A total of 16 types of work visas. ✓There are two ways to obtain a work visa: a new visa or an application for a change of status. ✓There are restrictions on the number of hours worked and other limitations on the employment of part-time workers on work visas. ✓Salary settings for foreigners with work visas must be equal to or higher than those of Japanese nationals. ✓Some types of work visa may not allow you to engage in certain types of work

This article summarises the different types of work visas, their respective periods of stay and types of work, and how to obtain a work visa. It also explains the key points you need to know when employing foreigners working on a work visa.

Find out about the different types of work visas and the procedures involved so that you can smoothly employ foreign employees.

1. what is a work visa? Differences from visas (visas) under the Immigration Act

A work visa is the common name for the status of residence required for foreign nationals to work in Japan. Although the word ‘visa’ is used, strictly speaking there is a difference between a visa and a status of residence as follows.

	Contents	Publisher
Visas	Certificate from a foreigner seeking permission to enter Japan	Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
Status of residence (in Japan)	Status allowing foreigners to reside and carry out certain activities in Japan	Ministry of Justice

A visa is required for landing clearance in Japan, while a residence permit is a status issued to carry out the intended activity in Japan. It is important to be able to distinguish between the two.

2.16 types of work visas

There are more than 30 types of residence status for foreigners living in Japan. Basically, foreigners staying in Japan fall under one of these statuses and carry out permitted activities.

Among them, there are a total of 16 types of residence statuses that permit work. The following are examples of activities and occupations that can be carried out under each status of residence.

2-1. Technical, humanities and international services

The period of stay for technical, humanities and international business is ‘5 years’, ‘3 years’ or ‘1 year or 3 months’, and applies to foreigners performing a wide range of work, from IT engineers to foreign trade and marketing personnel.

The main occupations include science and engineering technicians, IT technicians (engineers, programmers), designers, foreign language teachers, copywriters and interpreters.

2-2.Skills

The period of stay for skilled is ‘five years’, ‘three years’ or ‘one year or three months’. This status of residence is granted to foreigners who are recognised as having skilled skills in a specific field.

Major occupations include pilots, cooks and chefs of foreign cuisine, precious metal processors, repair technicians for foreign products, animal trainers, sports instructors and sommeliers.

2-3. Intra-company transfers

The duration of stay for intra-company transferees is ‘five years’, ‘three years’ and ‘one year or three months’. Intra-company transferees are those who are dispatched for a fixed period of time from a parent company or subsidiary abroad.

Among transferees, foreign nationals who are engaged in activities that fall under the category of technical, humanities or international services may apply for intra-company transferee status. The job description in Japan must be related to the job description in the foreign country, and the transfer must be for a fixed period of time, not indefinitely.

If the foreigner is engaged in management or administrative duties at a business establishment, such as branch manager or administrator, the status of residence of ‘Management/Administration’ is required instead of ‘Intra-company transfer’.

2-4. Management and administration

The periods of stay for business/management are ‘5 years’, ‘3 years’, ‘1 year’ and ‘4 or 3 months’. Foreigners who are involved in the management of a company in Japan must obtain a business/administrative status of residence.

The main occupations are business owners, managers and directors of companies.

2-5.Professor

The period of stay for professors is ‘five years’, ‘three years’ or ‘one year or three months’. It is issued for foreigners who are teaching at universities, other institutions or technical colleges.

The main occupations for work visa teaching are university professors, assistant professors and assistants. In addition to direct teaching of students, research and research supervision are also included in the permitted activities.

2-6.Art

The periods of stay for artistic activities are ‘five years’, ‘three years’ and ‘one year or three months’. This status of residence is required to engage in artistic activities in Japan and includes a wide range of artistic activities.

The main occupations include painter, composer, lyricist, sculptor, craftsman and photographer. As the broad scope of the arts covers a wide range of occupations.

2-7.Religion

The religious residency periods are ‘five years’, ‘three years’ and ‘one year or three months’. This status is obtained by missionaries and others dispatched by overseas religious organisations to carry out missionary work in Japan.

The main occupations are priests, bishops and missionaries.

2-8.Press.

The periods of stay for the press are ‘five years’, ‘three years’ and ‘one year or three months’. This category includes foreign nationals who carry out journalistic activities on the basis of a contract with a foreign news organisation.

The main occupations are newspaper and magazine reporters, editors, press officers and announcers.

2-9.Legal and accounting services

The periods of stay for legal and accounting work are ‘five years’, ‘three years’ and ‘one year or three months’. Foreigners working in professional occupations related to law and accounting fall into this category.

The main occupations are foreign lawyers, foreign certified public accountants, lawyers, certified public accountants, judicial scriveners, tax accountants and patent attorneys.

2-10.Medical care

The period of stay for medical care is ‘five years’, ‘three years’ or ‘one year or three months’. Residence status is granted to foreign nationals engaged in medical care if they have a Japanese qualification.

The main occupations are doctors, dentists, nurses, assistant nurses, pharmacists, public health nurses, midwives, dental hygienists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, optometrists, occupational therapists, clinical engineering technicians, physiotherapists and prosthetists.

2-11.Research

The periods of stay for research are ‘five years’, ‘three years’ and ‘one year or three months’. Foreigners engaged in research of any kind can obtain this status.

However, it is important to check the type of status of residence, as the research activity is not covered if it falls under the category of ‘professor’. The main occupations include researchers in companies and researchers in government-related organisations.

2-12.Education

The periods of stay for education are ‘five years’, ‘three years’ and ‘one year or three months’. Foreigners in a position to teach students are permitted to obtain this status.

Note, however, that teaching at universities and similar institutions is included in the category of ‘professor’. The main occupations are teachers at elementary, junior high and high schools and special-needs schools, teachers at special training schools or other schools, and language instructors at equivalent educational institutions.

2-13.Care

The periods of stay for carers are ‘five years’, ‘three years’ and ‘one year or three months’. Foreigners apply to work as carers in Japan.

However, in order to obtain a residence permit, the foreigner must have graduated from a carer training institute in Japan and be qualified as a carer.

2-14. Entertainment

The period of stay for entertainment is ‘3 years’, ‘1 year’, ‘6 months’, ‘3 months or 15 days’. Foreigners from abroad apply to perform entertainment activities in Japan.

The main occupations include singers, dancers, fashion models, actors, professional athletes, circus animal keepers, trainers of athletes, choreographers and directors.

2-15.Specific skills

Specified skilled resident status is divided into two categories, No. 1 and No. 2, depending on the field of study. The fields and periods of stay for each status are as follows

[Status of residenc]

• No. 1: Persons engaged in work requiring a considerable degree of knowledge or experience in the 14 designated sectors.
• No. 2: Persons engaged in work requiring skilled skills in the construction and shipbuilding/marine industry sectors.

[Period of stay]

• No. 1: 1 year, June or April.
• No. 2: 3 years, 1 year or 6 months.

2-16.Technical training

Technical apprenticeship statuses are classified into categories 1 to 3. The respective periods of stay are as follows.

• No. 1: Period individually designated by the Minister of Justice (not exceeding one year).
• No. 2: Period individually designated by the Minister of Justice (not exceeding two years).
• No. 3: Period individually designated by the Minister of Justice (not exceeding two years).

As for the type of job, it depends on the company that will host you.

3. here are two ways to obtain a work visa

There are two patterns for obtaining a work visa: a new application and an application for an amendment.

• New application for a work visa (when working in Japan from abroad)
• Application for change of status of residence (when switching status of residence)

As the procedure differs depending on the circumstances, it is important to know in advance which one applies to the foreigner.

This section explains the differences between applying for a new work visa and applying for a change of work visa.

3-1. The process for obtaining a new work visa

When a foreigner arrives in Japan and starts a new job, the receiving company must apply for a work visa on his/her behalf to the Immigration and Residence Office. The main application procedures are as follows

• Application for certificate of eligibility to be issued
• Certificate of eligibility is issued to the representative
• The certificate of eligibility is sent to the foreigner
• The foreigner presents the certificate of eligibility to the Japanese diplomatic mission abroad and applies for a visa
• Visa is issued at the Japanese diplomatic mission abroad

As the person wishing to work must proceed with the procedure while he or she is still abroad, the company will carry out the procedure on his or her behalf. Typical processing time is one to three months.

3-2. Process for changing status of residence

If you wish to change your status of residence and obtain a work visa, in principle you should apply in person to the Immigration and Residence Office. Check the application process.

• Application for permission to change status of resi
• Notified of the result
• Receive a residence card

An application for a change of status of residence applies when an international student changes his or her status of residence after finding a job.

4. Points of caution when employing foreigners with work visas.

If a company employs a foreigner working on a work visa, the following points should be noted

• There are conditions for part-time employment
• Salary should be equal to or higher than that of Japanese nationals.
• Activities are limited depending on the type of work visa.

Ensuring that the host company has the correct information on work visas can prevent unexpected problems.

4-1.There are conditions for part-time employment

A work visa does not mean that there are no restrictions on working hours. Foreign students and foreigners with a family residence visa are allowed to work part-time, but as a rule, this is limited to 28 hours per week.

However, it should also be noted that during periods such as summer holidays, the limit is changed to 40 hours per week, eight hours per day.

4-2. Salaries are set at least equal to or higher than those of Japanese nationals.

When employing a foreigner on a work visa, the salary must be equal to or higher than that of a Japanese national. Salaries should not be unfairly reduced on the grounds that the person is a foreigner.

Although there is no specific standard for ‘how much or more’, the key point is that the salary should be calculated at the same level as that of a Japanese national with similar work content and years of experience. More information can be found in the following Ministry of Justice ordinance.

See also: ministerial ordinance establishing criteria under Article 7(1)(ii) of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act (Ministry of Justice Ordinance No. 16 of 24 May 1990).

4-3. Activities are limited depending on the type of work visa.

he type of work visa will make a difference to the type of work you can engage in. Make sure you know which type of residence permit the foreigner you intend to employ has.

For example, if the foreigner you are hiring has a work visa for ‘technical, humanities or international work’, ‘medical care’ or ‘education’, you are prohibited from assigning them to simple tasks such as working as a waiter in a restaurant. In order to engage in part-time work outside the scope of the work visa, you need to apply for a permit to engage in activities outside the scope of the work visa.

5. Residence status to work without a work visa

There are several statuses of residence that allow foreigners residing in Japan to work full-time without the need to obtain a work visa. With these statuses, they can participate in work in Japan in the same way as Japanese nationals, without having to obtain a separate work visa.

5-1. Resident status to work in the same way as Japanese nationals

While there are restrictions on the scope of work that can be completed with a work visa, the following visa statuses have no scope restrictions and allow for general or simple labour. The specific statuses of residence are as follows

• Permanent Residents
• Long-term resident
• Spouse or biological child of a Japanese national
• Spouse or biological child of a permanent resident
• Specially Designated Activities (working holidays and other activities)

5-2. Resident status to work by obtaining an activity other than that permitted under the status of residence

Foreigners who come to Japan for ‘study abroad’, ‘cultural activities’ or ‘family stay’ cannot work. Foreigners such as international students and foreigners staying in Japan as family members can work part-time if they obtain a ‘Permit to Engage in Activity other than that Permitted under the Status of Residence’ from the Immigration and Residence Office.

Whether or not they have this permit can be confirmed by the stamp on the back of their residence card, which reads ‘Permitted, up to 28 hours per week in principle, excluding engaging in sex-related business, etc.’. However, no exceptions are made for sex-related industries.

For international students, part-time work is normally permitted for up to 28 hours per week, but during summer holidays and other long breaks, this is extended to eight hours per day and 40 hours per week.

Foreign workers are essential in today’s world, where a shortage of workers is becoming more and more apparent. Please refer to this article for more information on the benefits, challenges and procedures for recruiting foreign workers. The article is supervised by experts in the recruitment business.

6. Summary

This article has provided an overview of the key points to know when employing a foreigner on a work visa. The main points can be summarised as follows.

✓Work visa is the common name for the status of residence required to work in Japan. ✓Although it is called a ‘visa’, it is not the same as a visa, which is a permit to enter Japan. ✓A total of 16 types of work visas. ✓There are two ways to obtain a work visa: a new visa or an application for a change of status. ✓There are restrictions on the number of hours worked and other limitations on the employment of part-time workers on work visas. ✓Salary settings for foreigners with work visas must be equal to or higher than those of Japanese nationals. ✓Some types of work visa may not allow you to engage in certain types of work

It is important to have a correct understanding of the details of the employee’s visa, as different types of work visas allow for different types of work. If you are having difficulties in hiring foreigners, you can also rely on experts with the know-how to help you.