{"id":1783,"date":"2024-10-17T15:16:46","date_gmt":"2024-10-17T06:16:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/s-legalestate.com\/kaigai\/?post_type=en&p=1783"},"modified":"2025-01-23T16:18:29","modified_gmt":"2025-01-23T07:18:29","slug":"foreign-work-visa","status":"publish","type":"en","link":"https:\/\/s-legalestate.com\/kaigai\/en\/visas\/foreign-work-visa\/","title":{"rendered":"What are work visas for foreigners? An explanation of all 16 types, how to obtain them and what to look out for"},"content":{"rendered":"

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.<\/p>\n

The main points of this article are as follows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2713Work visa is the common name for the status of residence required to work in Japan.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2713Although it is called a \u2018visa\u2019, it is not the same as a visa, which is a permit to enter Japan.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2713A total of 16 types of work visas.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2713There are two ways to obtain a work visa: a new visa or an application for a change of status.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2713There are restrictions on the number of hours worked and other limitations on the employment of part-time workers on work visas.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2713Salary settings for foreigners with work visas must be equal to or higher than those of Japanese nationals.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2713Some types of work visa may not allow you to engage in certain types of work<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Find out about the different types of work visas and the procedures involved so that you can smoothly employ foreign employees.<\/p>\n

1. what is a work visa? Differences from visas (visas) under the Immigration Act<\/h2>\n

A work visa is the common name for the status of residence required for foreign nationals to work in Japan. Although the word \u2018visa\u2019 is used, strictly speaking there is a difference between a visa and a status of residence as follows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nContents<\/td>\nPublisher<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Visas<\/td>\nCertificate from a foreigner seeking permission to enter Japan<\/td>\nMinistry of Foreign Affairs of Japan<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Status of residence (in Japan)<\/td>\nStatus allowing foreigners to reside and carry out certain activities in Japan<\/td>\nMinistry of Justice<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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.<\/p>\n

2.16 types of work visas<\/h2>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

2-1. Technical, humanities and international services<\/h3>\n

The period of stay for technical, humanities and international business is \u20185 years\u2019, \u20183 years\u2019 or \u20181 year or 3 months\u2019, and applies to foreigners performing a wide range of work, from IT engineers to foreign trade and marketing personnel.<\/p>\n

The main occupations include science and engineering technicians, IT technicians (engineers, programmers), designers, foreign language teachers, copywriters and interpreters.<\/p>\n

2-2.Skills<\/h3>\n

The period of stay for skilled is \u2018five years\u2019, \u2018three years\u2019 or \u2018one year or three months\u2019. This status of residence is granted to foreigners who are recognised as having skilled skills in a specific field.<\/p>\n

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

2-3. Intra-company transfers<\/h3>\n

The duration of stay for intra-company transferees is \u2018five years\u2019, \u2018three years\u2019 and \u2018one year or three months\u2019. Intra-company transferees are those who are dispatched for a fixed period of time from a parent company or subsidiary abroad.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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 \u2018Management\/Administration\u2019 is required instead of \u2018Intra-company transfer\u2019.<\/p>\n

2-4. Management and administration<\/h3>\n

The periods of stay for business\/management are \u20185 years\u2019, \u20183 years\u2019, \u20181 year\u2019 and \u20184 or 3 months\u2019. Foreigners who are involved in the management of a company in Japan must obtain a business\/administrative status of residence.<\/p>\n

The main occupations are business owners, managers and directors of companies.<\/p>\n

\n

Related articles<\/p>\n \"\u30102025<\/a>\n

\n \u30102025 Revised Edition\u3011What is a Business Manager visa Japan|Requirements & Renewal Tips<\/a>\n Read more<\/a>\n <\/div>\n
<\/div>\n <\/div>\n

2-5.Professor<\/h3>\n

The period of stay for professors is \u2018five years\u2019, \u2018three years\u2019 or \u2018one year or three months\u2019. It is issued for foreigners who are teaching at universities, other institutions or technical colleges.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

2-6.Art<\/h3>\n

The periods of stay for artistic activities are \u2018five years\u2019, \u2018three years\u2019 and \u2018one year or three months\u2019. This status of residence is required to engage in artistic activities in Japan and includes a wide range of artistic activities.<\/p>\n

The main occupations include painter, composer, lyricist, sculptor, craftsman and photographer. As the broad scope of the arts covers a wide range of occupations.<\/p>\n

2-7.Religion<\/h3>\n

The religious residency periods are \u2018five years\u2019, \u2018three years\u2019 and \u2018one year or three months\u2019. This status is obtained by missionaries and others dispatched by overseas religious organisations to carry out missionary work in Japan.<\/p>\n

The main occupations are priests, bishops and missionaries.<\/p>\n

2-8.Press.<\/h3>\n

The periods of stay for the press are \u2018five years\u2019, \u2018three years\u2019 and \u2018one year or three months\u2019. This category includes foreign nationals who carry out journalistic activities on the basis of a contract with a foreign news organisation.<\/p>\n

The main occupations are newspaper and magazine reporters, editors, press officers and announcers.<\/p>\n

2-9.Legal and accounting services<\/h3>\n

The periods of stay for legal and accounting work are \u2018five years\u2019, \u2018three years\u2019 and \u2018one year or three months\u2019. Foreigners working in professional occupations related to law and accounting fall into this category.<\/p>\n

The main occupations are foreign lawyers, foreign certified public accountants, lawyers, certified public accountants, judicial scriveners, tax accountants and patent attorneys.<\/p>\n

2-10.Medical care<\/h3>\n

The period of stay for medical care is \u2018five years\u2019, \u2018three years\u2019 or \u2018one year or three months\u2019. Residence status is granted to foreign nationals engaged in medical care if they have a Japanese qualification.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

2-11.Research<\/h3>\n

The periods of stay for research are \u2018five years\u2019, \u2018three years\u2019 and \u2018one year or three months\u2019. Foreigners engaged in research of any kind can obtain this status.<\/p>\n

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 \u2018professor\u2019. The main occupations include researchers in companies and researchers in government-related organisations.<\/p>\n

2-12.Education<\/h3>\n

The periods of stay for education are \u2018five years\u2019, \u2018three years\u2019 and \u2018one year or three months\u2019. Foreigners in a position to teach students are permitted to obtain this status.<\/p>\n

Note, however, that teaching at universities and similar institutions is included in the category of \u2018professor\u2019. 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.<\/p>\n

2-13.Care<\/h3>\n

The periods of stay for carers are \u2018five years\u2019, \u2018three years\u2019 and \u2018one year or three months\u2019. Foreigners apply to work as carers in Japan.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

2-14. Entertainment<\/h3>\n

The period of stay for entertainment is \u20183 years\u2019, \u20181 year\u2019, \u20186 months\u2019, \u20183 months or 15 days\u2019. Foreigners from abroad apply to perform entertainment activities in Japan.<\/p>\n

The main occupations include singers, dancers, fashion models, actors, professional athletes, circus animal keepers, trainers of athletes, choreographers and directors.<\/p>\n

2-15.Specific skills<\/h3>\n

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<\/p>\n

[Status of residenc]<\/p>\n