Activities that require specialized knowledge acquired at a university or practical experience in a company (e.g., engineers, designers, interpreters). Simple labor is not permitted.

5 years, 3 years, 1 year, or 3 months

[Applicant]
• Graduated university/vocational school, or 10+ years work experience (3+ years for International Services) → Direct link to major/experience required [Company]
• Job duties related to applicant’s major/experience
• Social insurance covered & active operations

Transfers, career advancement, etc., between overseas group companies. Engaging in duties corresponding to "Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services." (e.g., transfers from overseas branches to the Japanese head office, participation in projects between group companies, etc.)

5 years / 3 years / 1 year / 3 months

[Applicant]
• Worked 1+ years at overseas group company/headquarters [Company]
• Job duties fall under Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services
• Relationship between transferor and transferee (parent/subsidiary, branch, etc.)

Nursing care work supporting users with specialized knowledge (e.g., facility work as a Certified Care Worker, home-visit care staff)

5 years / 3 years / 1 year / 3 months

[Applicant]
• Certified Care Worker qualification in Japan, completion of practical training, or training at designated facility [Company]
• Designated long-term care provider

Work utilizing refined, professional skills developed over many years (e.g., chefs specializing in authentic cuisines such as Chinese or French, sports instructors, aircraft mechanics, precious metal craftspersons, etc.)

5 years / 3 years / 1 year / 3 months

[Applicant]
• Practical experience in relevant field (or equivalent), skilled professional ※ Required years vary by occupation (3, 10 years, etc.)
[Company]
• Advanced skills indispensable to operations in Japan

Work aimed at achieving results in specific projects by utilizing advanced specialized skills (e.g., university professors, researchers at research institutes, IT engineers, financial analysts, etc.)

5 years or Unlimited

[Applicant]
• Score 70+ points based on education, career, annual income, etc.→ Direct link to duties required
[Company]
• Offer advanced work utilizing applicant’s expertise with suitable compensation

Work involving long-term and broader specialized activities after serving under Category 1 (e.g., executive management as a specialist, leader of long-term projects, etc.)

Indefinite

[Applicant]
• Engaged in activities as Highly Skilled Professional Type 1 for 3+ years, with good conduct → Direct link to duties equired [Company]
• Offer advanced work utilizing applicant’s expertise with suitable compensation

On-site work acting as an immediate asset in labor-shortage industries (e.g., building cleaning, restaurant staff, construction, caregiving assistants, manufacturing operators, etc.) Family accompaniment not permitted

Period individually designated by the Minister of Justice (not exceeding 3 years)

[Applicant]
• Passed designated skills test and Japanese language test (exempt for technical intern graduates)
[Company]
• Compliance of host institution (Support Plan)

Work requiring proficient skills and fulfilling roles such as on-site leaders or advanced practical tasks (e.g., construction execution management assistance, advanced machinery maintenance at manufacturing sites, etc.) Family accompaniment permitted

3 years, 2 years, 1 year, or 6 months (no limit on renewals)

[Applicant]
• Passed Specified Skilled Worker Type 2 skills test, experience as Type 1 required (depending on field), good conduct
[Company]
• Compliance of host institution (Support Plan)

Activities to learn Japanese skills through training and transfer them back to one’s home country (e.g., technical interns in fields such as manufacturing, construction, agriculture, etc.)

Up to 1 year

[Applicant]
• Acquire basic skills based on Technical Intern Training Plan [Company (Organization)]
• Approved training plan & appropriate supervision system in place

Activities to learn Japanese skills through training and transfer them back to one’s home country (e.g., technical interns in fields such as manufacturing, construction, agriculture, etc.)

Up to 2 years (maximum 3 years total including Type 1)

[Applicant]
• Successfully completed Type 1 + Passed Basic Level Trade Skills Test
[Company (Organization)]
• Continued appropriate training system in place

Activities to learn Japanese skills through training and transfer them back to one’s home country (e.g., technical interns in fields such as manufacturing, construction, agriculture, etc.)

Up to 2 years (maximum 5 years in total)

[Applicant]
• Successfully completed Type 2 + Passed Grade 3 Trade Skills Test (or equivalent) [Company (Organization)]
• Must be an "Excellent Training Implementer" and "Excellent Supervising Organization"

Work appearing or performing as a professional in entertainment or sports (e.g., actors, singers, professional athletes, models, etc.)

3 years, 1 year, 6 months, 3 months, or 30 days

[Applicant]
• Track record as a professional in entertainment, sports, etc.
[Company]
• Appropriate contract & activity management system in place

Work providing specialized medical services with Japanese national qualifications (e.g., physicians, dentists, nurses, etc.)

5 years, 3 years, 1 year, or 3 months

[Applicant]
• Hold a Japanese national qualification in medical healthcare
[Hospital]
• Operational environment equipped to utilize qualifications

Work conducting research and investigation at public institutions or private companies by leveraging specialized knowledge (e.g., research institute staff at private companies, university researchers, etc.)

5 years, 3 years, 1 year, or 3 months

[Applicant]
• Possess specialized knowledge, academic degrees, and track record required for research
[Institution]
• Operational structure in place allowing full concentration on research

Work teaching languages or general subjects at institutions such as schools (e.g., language teachers at elementary, junior high, or high schools, vocational school instructors, etc.)

5 years, 3 years, 1 year, or 3 months

[Applicant]
• University degree (or higher) and expertise in education required
[School]
• Host system capable of supporting educational activities in place

Specialized work carried out by holders of qualifications based on Japanese law, such as attorneys at law, certified public accountants, and tax accountants.

5 years, 3 years, 1 year, or 3 months

[Applicant]
• National qualification based on Japanese law (Attorney, CPA, etc.) required
[Office]
• Appropriate structure in place to conduct professional services

Work managing a company or administering and operating an organization (e.g., company executives, branch managers, corporate officers, etc.)

5 years, 3 years, 1 year, 6 months, 4 months, or 3 months

[Applicant]
• Necessary experience in business management or administration required
[Company]
• Active business operations, physical office/place of business, and business continuity can be verified

Work engaged in the activities of foreign governments or international organizations (e.g., diplomats, embassy staff, officials of international organizations, etc.)

Period of diplomatic activities

[Applicant]
• Official status as a member/staff of a foreign government or international organization required
[Organization]
• Acceptance for diplomatic activities is officially recognized

Activities engaged in official business as an official of a foreign government or international organization.

5 years, 3 years, 1 year, 3 months, 30 days, or 15 days

[Applicant]
• Engaged in official business for a foreign government or international organization
[Organization]
• Acceptance for official business is recognized

Activities engaged in research or education at institutions such as universities, junior colleges, or colleges of technology (e.g., university professors, etc.)

5 years, 3 years, 1 year, or 3 months

[Applicant]
• Expertise and track record in education/research at universities, etc. required
[School]
• Host system capable of supporting research/educational activities in place

Work engaged in creative activities by leveraging artistic talents (e.g., composers, painters, sculptors, photographers, etc.)

5 years, 3 years, 1 year, or 3 months

[Applicant]
• Track record and artistic ability to engage in creative activities [Organization]
• Environment and contractual arrangements in place to sustain creative activities

Activities dispatched by foreign religious organizations to engage in missionary work or other religious activities.

5 years, 3 years, 1 year, or 3 months

[Applicant]
• Dispatched from a foreign religious organization, with qualifications/track record in religious activities
[Religious Organization]
• Host system capable of conducting missionary work and religious activities in place

Activities engaged in news coverage, editing, or reporting as a member of a foreign news organization (e.g., journalists, photographers, or news correspondents of foreign media, etc.)

5 years, 3 years, 1 year, or 3 months

[Applicant]
• Affiliated with a foreign news organization, with a track record in reporting/editing
[News Organization]
• System in place to appropriately conduct news gathering/reporting activities in Japan

Activities engaged in news coverage, editing, or reporting as a member of a foreign news organization (e.g., journalists, photographers, or news correspondents of foreign media, etc.)

5 years, 3 years, 1 year, or 6 months

[Applicant]
• Graduated from a Japanese university, graduate school, or designated vocational school, and passed a designated Japanese Language Proficiency Test → Direct link to major/study not required [Company]
• Appropriate salary and working conditions, duties requiring specialized skills, enrolled in social insurance, and active business operations