Japanese Visa Categories for Foreign Residents
Japanese Visa Categories
for Foreign Residents
Overview of Japanese Visa Types
Foreign nationals residing in Japan are required to obtain an appropriate visa under Japanese immigration law. Japan currently offers 29 visa categories, grouped into three main types:
① Work visas,
② Non-employment visas (such as student visas), and
③ Family-related visas (e.g., spouse of a Japanese national). Each visa has unique conditions, permissible activities, and stay durations.
Visas Allowing Unrestricted Employment
- Permanent Resident Visa: Allows unlimited employment activities.
- Spouse or Child of Japanese National Visa: Holders may freely engage in employment.
- Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident Visa: Provides similar work rights as permanent residency.
- Long-Term Resident Visa: Typically granted to those who have settled personal circumstances (widowed individuals, etc.).
Visas with Employment Restrictions
- Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services Visa: For specialized professional roles.
- Transferee Visa: For employees transferred from overseas offices under secondment agreements.
- Business Manager Visa: Targets entrepreneurs and executive-level managers.
- Highly Skilled Professional Visa (HSP): For high-level talent with specialized skills.
- Professor Visa: Specifically issued to university professors and academic researchers.
- Legal and Accounting Professionals Visa: For licensed legal practitioners and accountants.
- Care Worker Visa: Specifically for professionals in elderly care or caregiving services.
- Sports Coach/Athlete Visa: For professional sports coaches and athletes.
- Religious Visa: For religious professionals (missionaries, priests, etc.).
- Others: Student Visa, Entertainer Visa, and various short-term statuses.
Note: The visas listed above do not permit employment considered as “simple labor,” which typically refers to tasks not requiring specific professional expertise or training. Examples include basic manufacturing work, construction labor, cleaning services, and routine hospitality roles.
However, Japan’s recently established “Specified Skilled Worker Visa” allows employment in 14 industries previously considered simple labor.
How Continental Immigration Can Assist You
Continental Immigration provides comprehensive visa support services across all Japanese visa types. We manage over 1,000 consultations annually, leveraging deep expertise and financial industry knowledge to guide entrepreneurs, senior executives, academics, professionals, and athletes successfully through Japan’s immigration processes.
Professional Consultant
Masakazu Murai
Immigration Consultant & Financial Advisor with 18 years of investment banking experience at Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley, advising over 500 entrepreneurs and senior management professionals.
Masakazu Murai supports numerous foreign entrepreneurs in Japan by utilizing his extensive financial expertise. He is a leading authority on Business and Investor Visas in Japan.
- Gyoseishoshi Immigration Lawyer
- CMA (Certified Member Analyst, Japan)
- CFP (Certified Financial Planner)
- MBA in Entrepreneurship