Employment Visa
Here is a list of the most common visa categories and the standard documents required. If you are unsure which category you should apply for or which documents are required, please contact the Visa Section. If you have received a Certificate of Eligibility, start by checking the information on How to Apply for a Visa.
- Professor
- Artist
- Religious Activities
- Business Manager
- Researcher
- Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Service
- Intra-Company Transferee
- Entertainer
- Skilled Labor
1. Professor
Activities authorized to engage in: Activities for research, direction of research or education at colleges, equivalent educational institutions or Kotosenmongakko.
Period of stay: 3 months, 1 year, 3 years or 5 years.
Must obtain Certificate of Eligibility to apply for this visa.
2. Artist
Activities authorized to engage in: Activities for the arts that provide income, including music, the fine arts, literature, etc. (excluding the activities described under Entertainer).
Period of stay: 3 months, 1 year, 3 years or 5 years.
Must obtain Certificate of Eligibility to apply for this visa.
3. Religious Activities
Activities authorized to engage in: Missionary and other religious activities conducted by members of foreign religious organizations.
Period of stay: 3 months, 1 year, 3 years or 5 years.
Must obtain Certificate of Eligibility to apply for this visa, or contact the Visa and Consular Section for an alternative procedure.
4. Business Manager
Activities authorized to engage in: Activities to commence the operation of international trade or other business, to invest in international trade or other business and to operate or manage that business, or to operate or manage international trade or other business on behalf of the foreign nationals (including the foreign corporations; hereinafter in this section foreign corporation) who have begun such an operation or have invested in such a business (excluding the activities to engage in the operation or management in the business which are not allowed without the legal qualifications described in Legal/Accounting Services).
Period of stay: 3 months, 1 year, 3 years or 5 years.
Must obtain a Certificate of Eligibility.
5. Researcher
Activities authorized to engage in: Activities to engage in research on the basis of a contract with public or private organisations in Japan (excluding the activities described in the Professor section).
Period of stay: 3 months, 1 year, 3 years or 5 years.
Must obtain a Certificate of Eligibility.
6. Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services
To be engaged in the fields of science and engineering, or jurisprudence, economics, sociology and other areas of the humanities, or to be engaged in activities which require a specialist knowledge of foreign cultures.
Period of stay: 3 months, 1 year, 3 years or 5 years.
Must submit Certificate of Eligibility to apply for this visa.
7. Intra-Company Transferee
Activities authorized to engage in: Activities on the part of personnel who are transferred to business offices in Japan for a limited period of time from business offices which are established in foreign countries by public or private organisations which have head offices, branch offices in Japan and who engages at these business offices in the activities described in the Engineer or Specialist in Humanities/ International Services. Applicant must have worked for his/her company a minimum of one year.
Period of stay: 3 months, 1 year, 3 years or 5 years.
Applicants must either obtain a Certificate of Eligibility or read the Business Manager section for an alternative procedure.
8. Entertainer
Activities authorized to engage in: activities to engage in theatrical performances, musical performances, sports, or any other show business (excluding the activities described in the Business Manager section).
Period of stay: 15 days, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year or 3 years.
Must obtain a Certificate of Eligibility.
9. Skilled Labor
Activities authorized to engage in: service that requires industrial techniques or skills belonging to special fields on the basis of a contract with a public or private organisation in Japan. Applicant must fulfill certain conditions concerning personal history and work status.
Period of stay: 3 months, 1 year, 3 years or 5 years.
Must obtain Certificate of Eligibility to apply for this visa.