Highly Skilled Professional Visa
A foreigner must first apply for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) in Japan at a Regional Immigration Services Bureau. This will be evidence for meeting the required conditions for landing in Japan under a Points System.
To be able to obtain Japan work visa, one must be working in a specialized industry such as engineering, humanities, or international services.
If they have been given a status of residence as Highly Skilled Professional; they can stay in Japan up to 5 years. Moreover, their spouse or children can also apply for a General Visa as a dependent. And, this may allow them to stay for a period from 3 months to 5 years.
General Working Visa
Other applicants in these professions can apply for a general Japan work visa or permit application.
- University professor
- Artist
- Religious worker
- Journalist
- Business manager
- Legal / Accounting services
- Medical services
- Researcher
- Instructor
- Engineer / Specialist in humanities / International services
- Nursing care
- Entertainer
Moreover, those working in Japan as a skilled-labour, intra-company transferee or technical-intern also need a General Work Visa.
For application without a COE, the Ministry of Foreign Affair will demand a lot of additional verifying documents. And, such will be sent to the Ministry of Justice for examination. Therefore, the processing time will be much longer. However, this does not apply to an application by an international transferee working for a stock exchange listed company in Japan or a highly trusted company (e.g. well known internationally) or an internationally well-known entertainer or sportsperson.
Depending on the profession, those being granted a Working Visa may stay from 3 months to 5 years. On top of that, their spouse or children can also apply for a General Visa as a dependent. The allowed period of stay will be from 3 months to 5 years. However, there is an exception for an entertainer to whom a stay of 15 days may be granted.
This is based on latest information published by relevant authorities at the time of posting. FastLane HR will not be responsible for any loss or damages incurred as a result of any inaccuracy of such information.
Date: July 2022