Work Visa Comparison: Find the Right Visa for Your Goals

　A "work visa" is a general term for the residence statuses that foreign nationals need to work in Japan.

　To live in Japan, foreign nationals must hold a valid residence status under the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act.

　If the purpose of your stay is to work, you must obtain a work visa or another status that allows employment (such as "Spouse of Japanese National"). Working without permission is illegal and can lead to deportation.

⑴　Diplomacy

　For diplomats such as ambassadors, envoys, attachés, consuls, and those representing foreign governments in Japan. Application is generally handled by the foreign embassy or international organization through Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

⑵　Official

　For individuals sent by foreign governments or international organizations to perform official duties in Japan, including technical or administrative staff of embassies and consulates.

⑶　Professor

　For university and equivalent institution faculty—such as professors, associate professors, lecturers, and assistant professors—including those at distance learning universities, junior colleges, graduate schools, and specialized defense academies.

⑷　Artist

　For creators such as composers, painters, and sculptors or instructors in music, arts, and literature, so long as they receive income from their activities. If there is no income, the "Cultural Activities" status may be more appropriate.

⑸　Religious Activities

　For clergy members such as priests, ministers, monks, missionaries, or other recognized religious leaders.

⑹　Journalist

　For foreign news reporters, photographers, or freelancers working for foreign media, employed or dispatched to Japan for journalistic duties.

⑺　Highly Skilled Professional

　Divided into “Type 1” and “Type 2” categories, offering benefits such as longer stay periods and spousal work permission.

⑻　Business Manager

　Combines business owner and manager roles.

• ・ As an owner: You need a physical, dedicated office in Japan—even if the business hasn’t started yet. Virtual offices or shared office spaces are generally not accepted.
• ・ You must also submit a business plan and have at least ¥5,000,000 in capital or investment.
• ・ As a manager: You must have at least three years of experience in business or management (including graduate-level studies in relevant fields).

⑼　Legal/Accounting Services

　For qualified foreign lawyers, certified public accountants, and other licensed professionals such as judicial scriveners, patent attorneys, labor/social insurance attorneys, maritime agents, administrative scriveners, etc.

⑽　Medical Services

　For licensed medical professionals in Japan, including physicians, dentists, pharmacists, midwives, nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and clinical engineers.

⑾　Researcher

　For those conducting research or investigations at universities, research institutes, or testing facilities that have proper human and material resources. Personal or unsupported research is not allowed.

⑿　Instructor

　For teaching at primary schools, junior high schools, high schools (including integrated and special needs schools), or vocational schools—not limited to language teaching.

⒀　Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services

　One of the most commonly used work visas. It covers engineers, translators/interpreters, designers, language instructors, marketing or public relations personnel, and similar professional roles.

⒁　Intra‑Company Transferee

　For employees transferred from their foreign company to a branch or subsidiary in Japan.

　You must work at a specified location and generally cannot change workplaces, unless the offices are officially part of the same corporate management.

　Under this visa, transferring to a completely different company is not allowed.

　If you wish to do so, you must first change your residence status to a different category, such as “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services.”

⒂　Care Worker

　For holders of Japanese qualification as care workers. You must contract with a public or private organization in Japan. Employment or contract types can include employment agreements, consignment, or subcontracting.

⒃　Entertainer

　For singers, actors, professional athletes, models, managers, trainers, and entertainers who work in restaurants, clubs, cabarets, etc.

⒄　Skilled Worker

　For skilled workers in specialized industries, such as foreign cuisine chefs, sommeliers, patissiers, construction specialists, fur or jewelry technicians, pilots, and sports coaches.

　The field must require skills recognized outside of Japan or where Japan has a shortage of experts. Note: holders of Japanese culinary skills (e.g., for traditional Japanese cuisine) do not qualify.

⒅　Specified Skilled Worker

　Created to address labor shortages in Japan. The Specified Skilled Worker visa is divided into two categories: Type 1 and Type 2. Type 2 requires a higher level of skill and experience, and is available only in certain sectors such as construction and shipbuilding.

• ・ Type 1 covers 12 sectors: nursing, building cleaning, construction, casting/instrument manufacturing, shipbuilding, auto maintenance, aviation, lodging, agriculture, fishery, food manufacturing, and restaurant services.

• ・ Type 2 covers all except nursing from Type 1.

⒆　Technical Intern Training

　Japan’s most widely used work visa, aimed at transferring skills and technology to developing countries.

• ・ Technical Intern Training 1: up to one year, as designated by the Minister of Justice.
• ・ Technical Intern Training 2 and 3: up to two years each, as designated by the Minister of Justice.
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• 　If you would like help choosing which visa applies best to your situation or need assistance preparing application documents, feel free to ask!