What is a work visa 

1) What is a work visa

In Japan, a "work visa" is a type of residence status that grants work authorization to foreign nationals. It is issued by the Ministry of Justice of Japan and can be obtained through various applications at the Japanese Immigration Bureau, either by the foreigner themselves or the company they work for. 

There are 19 types of work visas available to individuals, which are listed below for your reference.

・Diplomats 

・Government Officials (officials)

・Professor

・Art

・Religious activities

・Journalist

・Highly Skilled professional

・Business manager

・Legal/Accounting Services

・Medical services

・Researcher

・Instructor

・Engineer/Specialist in humanities/International services

・Intra-Company transferee

・Nursing care

・Entertainer

・Special Skilled Worker

・Specified Technical Skills

・Technical intern training

2) Types of Work Visa

There are a total of 19 types of work visas available for foreign nationals in Japan. In this document, we are going to present the most commonly issued work visas for foreign nationals (status of residence).

The following is a brief introduction to each type of work visa

①Business Manager

The Business Manager status is for foreigners to establish and manage a company in Japan or work in a managerial position.

There are no restrictions on the type of business as long as it is conducted legally in Japan. A wide range of businesses, such as restaurants, trading companies, and real estate are accepted. However, the business must be stable and sustainable.

②Engineer/Specialist in humanities/International services

The most common residence status for foreign nationals working for Japanese companies is the “Engineer/Specialist in humanities/International services” status of residence. The first letter of each categories is also called “Gijinkoku” (技人国)

Foreigners with a University degree or specific work experience can obtain this status when they start working for a Japanese company.

The requirement is that your educational background or work experience be closely related to the nature of your work. If your work does not allow you to utilize your knowledge, skills, and sensitivity, you basically cannot obtain this status of residence.

The following is an introduction to the main work content of the Technical/Humanities/International services category.

* For details on requirements, etc., please click here 

[What is “Status of Residence for Technical/Humanities/International services”]

International work is defined as "work that requires thinking or sensitivity based on foreign culture". In other words, it refers to work that requires language skills, international experience, and familiarity with foreign cultures. 

The following are examples of international work: 

・Interpretation

・Translator

・Designer

・Trader

・Language teacher (language school)

③Intra-company transferee

Intra-company transferee is a status of residence required when transferring a foreign employee to a head office or branch in Japan for a certain period of time while the employee remains at the overseas business location. The work permitted under "Intra-company transfer" is the same as that described in the "Technical/Humanities/International Services" visa status. The difference is that an Intra-company transfer favors the invitation of excellent human resources to Japan for the development of the company, regardless of their academic background.

④Nursing care 

Nursing care is a visa status that allows foreigners to work as caregivers in Japan. In principle, those who have graduated from a caregiver training school in Japan and have a care worker license are eligible to work in the country. There are three other types of residence statuses that allow foreigners to work in the nursing care field, but only the nursing care visa allows foreigners to work as a care worker.

⑤Highly Skilled professional 　

Highly Skilled professional is a visa status that allows foreign nationals with specific skills to come to Japan to work in industrial fields that either do not exist in Japan or are of a higher level than those in Japan. A typical example is a chef. Other cases include pilots, sommeliers, sports trainers, and so on, who can enter and work in Japan if they have the required number of years of work experience.

⑥Specified Technical Skills

Specified Technical Skills worker is a new status of residence established in 2019 to address Japan's serious labor shortage by recruiting foreigners who want to work in Japan and accept workers who can make an immediate contribution to the workforce. The types of industries in which one can work with specific skills are limited to 14 "Specific industrial fields". The industries that fall under each specified industrial field are regulated by a Ministry of Justice ordinance. In addition, there are two types of specified skills.

・Specified Technical Skill 1

Specified Technical Skill 1 is a status of residence for foreigners who engage in work that requires a considerable degree of knowledge and experience in a specific industrial field. It is possible to work in the following industries:

• Nursing Care

• Buildings cleaning

• Industrial machinery

• Electrical and electronic information related manufacturing industry

• Construction

• Shipbuilding - Marine industries

• Automobile maintenance

• Aviation 

• Accomodation

• Agriculture

• Fishing Industry

• Food and beverage manufacturing 

• Food service 

・Specified Technical Skill 2 

Specified Technical Skill 2 is a status of residence for foreigners who are engaged in work that requires high skills in a specified industry field. 

Work is possible in only two industries:

Construction 

Shipbuilding/Marine industry

⑦Technical Intern training 

Technical Intern Training is a status of residence for foreigners who come to Japan for a certain period of time to acquire skills and go back to transfer their knowledge overseas. The purpose is to develop human resources who can play a role in the economic development of their country. Various types of jobs and tasks, such as agriculture, construction, food manufacturing, and machinery are available. Technical intern training is available from N°1 to N°3, and by moving up to N°3, you can even stay in Japan for up to 5 years.

*For details on requirements and other information, please click here.

“What is a Technical Internship” status of residence?