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Foreign nationals wishing to stay in Japan are required to obtain a residence status appropriate to their purpose or activities. A residence status legally permits specific activities within Japan and differs from a visa. A visa serves as permission to enter Japan, while an appropriate residence status is granted upon entry. Residence statuses can be categorized into those that allow employment and those that do not. This section introduces the list of residence statuses in Japan and explains their eligibility for employment.
What is the Residence Status Required in Japan?
Residence status is a legal qualification that allows foreign nationals to stay in Japan based on their activities. Different residence statuses are issued depending on the reason for staying in Japan, with the permitted duration and scope of activities determined by the specific status.
There are various types of residence statuses that allow employment in Japan, each categorized by the nature of activities or occupations. Below, we introduce these residence statuses based on their classifications.
List and Details of Residence Statuses Allowing Employment in Japan (with Activity Restrictions)
Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services
Description: The “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services” visa is a residence status for foreign nationals with specialized knowledge or skills, such as IT engineering, marketing, or translation, who wish to work in Japan. This visa allows individuals to be employed by a specific company and is applicable to a wide range of industries.
View Details: Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services
Skilled Labor
Description: The “Skilled Labor” visa is a residence status for foreign nationals with specialized skills in specific fields, such as foreign cuisine chefs or construction artisans, who are essential to various industries. It is carefully categorized by industry and is intended for skilled professionals with expertise in their trade.
View Details: Skilled Labor
Business Manager
Description: The “Business Manager” visa is a residence status for foreign nationals who wish to establish or operate a business in Japan. It requires a certain amount of capital investment and a viable business plan to conduct corporate activities within Japan.
View Details: Business Manager
Highly Skilled Professional
Description: The “Highly Skilled Professional” visa is a residence status designed for foreign nationals with advanced expertise or skills. It applies to individuals engaged in fields such as research, technological development, and corporate management. A points-based evaluation system is used, and those with exceptional abilities are granted special benefits. Additionally, meeting certain criteria can provide expedited pathways to permanent residency.
View Details: Highly Skilled Professional
Legal/Accounting Services
Description: The “Legal/Accounting Services” visa is a residence status for foreign nationals qualified in legal or accounting fields, such as lawyers or certified public accountants, to work in Japan. To obtain this visa, individuals must possess credentials that allow them to engage in legal or accounting practices under Japanese regulations.
View Details: Legal/Accounting Services
Intra-Company Transferee
Description: The “Intra-Company Transferee” visa is a residence status for foreign nationals transferred from an overseas branch or related company to a business location in Japan. The application requires documentation such as a description of the work to be performed, proof of transfer, and an employment certificate. Applicants must have at least one year of work experience at the company prior to the transfer. This visa allows for residency in Japan and may permit family accompaniment in some cases.
View Details: Intra-Company Transferee
Other Residence Statuses Permitting Employment
Diplomat: Ambassadors, ministers, and other officials of foreign governments, along with their families.
Official: Individuals engaged in official duties for foreign governments or international organizations, along with their families.
Professor: University professors and similar academic professionals.
Artist: Composers, writers, painters, and other creative professionals.
Religious Activities: Missionaries and other individuals dispatched by foreign religious organizations.
Journalist: Reporters, photographers, and other staff of foreign media organizations.
Researcher: Researchers employed by government-related institutions or private companies.
Instructor: Language teachers and other educators at high schools, junior high schools, and similar institutions.
Entertainer: Actors, singers, professional athletes, and similar performers.
Medical Services: Residence status for medical professionals such as doctors and nurses.
Specified Skilled Worker: A residence status for foreign nationals who have passed skills tests and Japanese language proficiency exams in specific sectors.
List of Residence Statuses Not Permitting Employment
Certain residence statuses do not permit employment; however, under specific conditions, foreign nationals may obtain permission for activities outside their residence status, allowing them to work.
Cultural Activities
Description: The “Cultural Activities” visa is a residence status for foreign nationals coming to Japan to study traditional Japanese culture and arts, such as tea ceremony, calligraphy, or other unique skills. This visa does not allow income-generating activities but permits residency to learn and practice Japan’s distinctive cultural and artistic traditions.
View Details: Cultural Activities
Student
Description: The “Student” visa is a residence status for foreign nationals studying at universities, vocational schools, or other educational institutions in Japan. While employment is generally not permitted, students can work part-time for up to 28 hours per week by obtaining permission for activities outside their residence status.
View Details: Student
Short-Term Stay
Description: The “Short-Term Stay” visa is a residence status for foreign nationals staying in Japan for up to 90 days for purposes such as tourism, visiting relatives, or attending business meetings. Employment is not permitted under this visa, but it allows for short-term stays for specific activities.
View Details: Short-Term Stay
Dependent (Family Stay)
Description: The “Dependent (Family Stay)” visa is a residence status for family members, such as spouses or children, of foreign nationals residing in Japan. While employment is not permitted by default, obtaining permission for activities outside their residence status allows them to engage in part-time work.
View Details: Dependent (Family Stay)
Other Residence Statuses Not Permitting Employment
Trainee: For individuals undergoing technical training programs in Japan.
Residence Status Based on Personal Status
Residence qualifications for long-term stays in Japan or as a spouse of a Japanese national come with specific conditions. However, there are no restrictions on employment for these statuses.
Permanent Resident
Description: The “Permanent Resident” visa is a residence status that allows long-term stays in Japan without any time restrictions. It can be obtained by meeting specific conditions and offers the freedom to work in any industry, providing a stable and flexible living environment.
View Details: Permanent Resident
Spouse or Child of a Japanese National
Description: The “Spouse or Child of a Japanese National” visa is a residence status issued to foreign spouses of Japanese nationals or children with Japanese citizenship. This status allows holders to live and work in Japan without any restrictions on employment.
View Details: Spouse or Child of a Japanese National
Spouse or Child of a Permanent Resident
Description: The “Spouse or Child of a Permanent Resident” visa is a residence status issued to the spouses or biological children of foreign nationals with permanent residency or special permanent residency in Japan. This status allows unrestricted employment within Japan, providing the freedom to work in any field. It also ensures a stable residency status for living together with the permanent resident in Japan.
View Details: Spouse or Child of a Permanent Resident
Long-Term Resident
Description: The “Long-Term Resident” visa is a residence status granted to foreign nationals who are allowed to stay in Japan for an extended period due to special circumstances. It is issued to individuals such as descendants of Japanese nationals, refugees, or those with other specific reasons. Holders of this status can work without restrictions on the type of industry, providing them with the flexibility to establish a stable life in Japan.
View Details: Long-Term Resident
Other Residence Statuses Based on Special Activities
Designated Activities: Issued to foreign nationals engaging in specific temporary activities, such as job hunting, working holidays, or other designated activities. Depending on the activity, various types of employment may be permitted.
Technical Intern Training: A residence status granted to foreign nationals aiming to acquire practical skills through technical training in Japan. It is designed for individuals to learn specific industry skills and apply them in their home countries. The training period typically ranges from 3 to 5 years.
Summary
In Japan, residence statuses vary depending on the purpose of stay and type of activities. Obtaining the appropriate residence status is essential for a successful stay or employment in Japan. For more information, please refer to the detailed pages of each residence status.