Work Visas and Immigration in Japan

Visas for foreign nationals

Foreign nationals who wish to work in Japan have multiple options for work visas.

• Regular employee visas: This group of visas is organized by profession, such as business management, medical services, or research. Intra-company transfers are also covered under a regular working visa.
• Highly skilled professional visas: This group of visas, valid for five years, requires that the worker obtains a Certificate of Eligibility from a regional immigration bureau in Japan that notates the types of highly skilled activities being performed.
• Start-up visa: This visa is for entrepreneurs who wish to start a business in Japan.
• Digital nomad visa: This visa, good for up to six months, is for remote workers from select countries who wish to work from Japan.
• Working holiday visa: This visa is for youth whose home countries have an agreement with Japan that allows them to more easily work in Japan while they’re traveling to the country for recreational purposes (age limits vary depending on home country).

If foreign nationals wish to enter Japan on a short-term basis to attend business meetings, they may or may not require a visa depending on their country of origin.

Sponsorship and employer responsibilities

Requirements for obtaining a visa in Japan vary depending on a worker’s home country, industry, and purpose of their visit. Several types of documentation are typically required.

• Letter of guarantee: A document in which the sponsoring company agrees they will be responsible for the employee and their lawful conduct in Japan.
• Invitation letter: Gives information about the reason the employee will be working in Japan
• Details of company/organization: A form that supplies information about your company
• Visa application form: Official form from Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs

For more details about needed information and fillable PDFs of each form, visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website at www.mofa.go.jp.