Japan Work Visa

Types of Work Permits in Japan

While the terms Japan work visa and work permit are often used interchangeably, they refer to slightly different concepts:

Japan work visa types

A work visa is a legal authorization that allows foreign workers to enter Japan for employment. In most cases, you must sponsor your foreign workers for any of the following visa types for Japan:

1. Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services Visa: 

• For professionals working in engineering, IT, teaching, marketing, translation, and international business.
• Covers a wide range of fields, including software engineering, legal work, and market research.

2. Highly Skilled Professional Visa:

•   Divided into three categories:
  • Advanced academic research activities (professors, researchers)
  • Advanced specialized/technical activities (engineers, scientists)
  • Advanced business management activities (executives, business managers)

• Fast-track permanent residency eligibility (1-3 years).

3. Intra-company Transferee Visa:

• Typically used by foreign workers already employed by a company outside Japan.

4. Skilled Labor Visa:

• This is for professionals in specialized trades, such as chefs (ethnic cuisine), construction workers, artisans, and certain types of manufacturing.
• It requires specific skills or expertise that are not easily available in Japan.

5. Medical Services Visa:

• Foreign professionals such as doctors, nurses, and dentists who are licensed and certified to practice in Japan.

6. Professor/Instructor Visa: 

• For teaching or research positions at universities or equivalent institutions.
• For teaching jobs in elementary, junior, and high schools.

7. Legal/Accounting Services Visa:

• Foreign nationals who are lawyers, judicial scriveners, or accountants and certified to practice in Japan. 

8. Entertainer Visa

• Individuals like musicians, actors, models, and sportspeople can apply.
• Requires contracts with Japanese organizations or agencies.

Japan work permit types

A work permit is a broader term for permission to work in Japan once your foreign worker is inside the country. 

Japan work permit visas are referred to as status of residence that grants the right to work legally after obtaining a work visa.

The Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) work permit has been augmenting the local workforce since 2019. The SSW visa is aimed at sectors facing significant labor shortages, such as:

1. Nursing care
2. Building cleaning
3. Material processing
4. Industrial machinery manufacturing
5. Electric and electronic information-related industries
6. Construction
7. Shipbuilding and marine industries
8. Automobile repair and maintenance
9. Aviation
10. Accommodation (hospitality)
11. Agriculture
12. Fisheries
13. Food and beverage manufacturing
14. Food service (restaurants)

Moreover, the SSW Japan work permit visa is divided into two categories based on the skill level and duration of stay. The below table highlights the key differences between SSW 1 and SSW 2:

Additionally, spouses and children of your foreign workers with a work visa are eligible for Japan dependent visa work permit. They can apply for work permission to engage in part-time work (up to 28 hours per week).

Requirements for Japan Work Visa and Permits 

Below is a general breakdown of documents that you need to provide the applicants for Japan work visas and permits:

Japan work visa requirements

Regardless of the type of work visa in Japan, you must: 

• Arrange for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) issued by the Japanese Immigration Bureau. This document verifies your foreign workers’ eligibility for the visa type.
• Moreover, provide the following documents for completion of the visa application: 

• A valid employment contract, letter of appointment, invitation letter, or any other documents that prove your hired workers’ activities, position, salary, period of stay in Japan, etc.
• Share a copy of the Registry Certificate (Tokibo Tohon) of the company
• Most financial statements (Balance Sheet and Profit and Loss statement) of the company and withholding tax reports accessible to the visa applicant

• When hiring an intern, you must submit a clear training plan and ensure they return to their home country after the training period. 

Japan work permit requirements

You must ensure that your foreign worker adheres to the specified work type in their working visa in Japan and renews periodically. Japan’s work permit requirements for employers include:

• The work permit is valid only until the worker remains employed by your company. 
• Provide valid employment documents for work permit renewal. 

The applicants must arrange all other identities, skill assessments, and qualification documents.

How to Apply for Japan Work Visa and Permits

Here is a step-by-step guide to help you navigate the Japan work visa and permit process:

Work visa in Japan

Step 1: Secure a Job Offer from a Japanese Employer

• Applicants must secure a valid job offer from a local company.
• You must sponsor the applicant and initiate the visa process by applying for a COE on their behalf. 

Step 2: Apply for the Japan Work Visa at the Japanese Embassy or Consulate

• Applicants can apply for a work visa at the Japanese embassy or consulate in their home country.

Step 3: Receive the Visa and Travel to Japan

• Applicants are issued work visas with a validity of 1, 3, or 5 years, depending on the visa type for Japan and the employment contract.
• Ensure that your worker is issued a visa aligned with the job type.

Want to understand how to get work permit in Japan? - Here’s your answer.

Work permit in Japan

Further, you can assist your workers in visiting the local municipal office to register their address within 14 days of arriving in Japan.

Step 4: Arrival in Japan and Obtaining a Residence Card (Zairyu Card)

• Applicants receive a Residence Card (Zairyu Card) upon arrival to Japan. It is essentially a work permit in Japan.
• The Residence Card will contain details of work visa type, residence status, and period of stay.

Step 5: Apply for National Health Insurance and Pension

• You must enroll the employees in the Japanese National Health Insurance (NHI) system and the National Pension Scheme. 

Step 6: Changing Jobs or Visa Type (if applicable)

• Any change in job role or visa type will require you to obtain a new COE on behalf of your worker. 

Japan work permit processing time

The processing time for Japanese work permit visas is 5-10 days. However, employers could take up to three months to obtain a COE. 

Therefore, applicants must plan for at least three months before obtaining a Japan work permit visa.

Japan Digital Nomad Visa

Japan digital nomad visas are valid for six months (without extension) and are also issued to the spouse or child of the principal applicant. You must apply for COE on their behalf. 

Looking to Hire in Japan? Skuad Can Help

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You can utilize Skuad's EOR platform to build and manage distributed teams seamlessly in over 160 countries. Moreover, you eliminate the risks of setting up local entities and can ensure compliance with local employment laws while hiring in Japan. 

Furthermore, if you are subscribed to Skuad’s EOR services, you can receive guidance on sponsoring work visa applications in Japan. 

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FAQs

1. How do I get a work visa for Japan?

One can apply for a work visa for Japan only after securing an employment offer from a Japanese company. Employers are responsible for obtaining a Certification of Eligibility (COE) from the Immigration Bureau on applicants’ behalf. Upon submitting all necessary documents, including passport, employment contract, and proof of income, the processing time could vary between 5-10 days.

2. How long can you stay in Japan on a work visa?

Japan work visas are valid for 1, 3, or 5 years. It varies depending on the nature of work in Japan visa and employment contract. Applicants are allowed to stay for the entire duration of their work visa. 

3. Are foreigners allowed to work in Japan?

Yes, foreigners are allowed to work in Japan. Many jobs in Japan for foreigners with visa sponsorship are available in IT and Technology, Engineering, Healthcare, Finance, Accounting, and more. 

4. What are Japan work visa requirements?

Japan work visa requirements are based on the specific visa type. Moreover, all work visa types require a valid employment offer from a Japanese company and a Certificate of Eligibility obtained by the employer from the Immigration Bureau. Additionally, personal documents assessing identity, skills, and qualifications are necessary. 

5. How long does it take to get a work visa for Japan?

Any Japan work visa is processed in 5-10 days from the date of application. However, employers may need up to three months to arrange a mandatory Certificate of Eligibility before applying for a work visa. 

6. How hard is it to get a work visa in Japan?

The immigration department has listed the requirements for a work visa in Japan. Concerns about getting a work visa could arise only when obtaining a Certificate of Eligibility and finding the right visa type related to the nature of the job. Here is where expert hiring and payroll solutions like Skuad are helpful.  

7. Does Japan offer a digital nomad visa?

Yes, Japan offers a digital nomad visa with a six-month validity limit. An additional advantage is that a spouse or child can accompany the principal applicant.