Quick Residence Status Check
To continue your activities in Japan with peace of mind, it is essential to obtain a residence status that matches your actual activities and to maintain it properly. Our office provides comprehensive support—from diagnosing the most suitable residence status to preparing and submitting your application—based on professional expertise.
Please review the categories below and check which one best matches your situation.
Residence Status (Visa) Quick Self‑Check Guide
Visa Type
Activities
Period of Stay
Notes
Engineer / Humanities / International Services
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 / 3 months
University degree or relevant work experience required
Intra‑Company Transferee
Activities performed by employees transferred from an overseas office to a branch or headquarters in Japan, engaging in work equivalent to the “Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services” category.
5 years / 3 years / 1 year / 3 months
No academic degree requirement
Care Worker
Activities performed by certified care workers engaged in caregiving or providing guidance in caregiving.
5 years / 3 years / 1 year / 3 months
Certified Care Worker qualification required
Skilled Labor
Activities requiring advanced skills in specific industrial fields (e.g., foreign cuisine chefs, sports instructors, aircraft maintenance technicians, precious metal craftsmen).
5 years / 3 years / 1 year / 3 months
—
Highly Skilled Professional (Category 1 & 2)
Activities involving advanced research, technical, or business management work. Multiple types of activities may be performed simultaneously.
5 years or Unlimited
Requires 70 points or more under the Points‑based Highly Skilled Professional System
Specified Skilled Worker (Type 1 & 2)
Type 1: Activities in 12 designated industrial fields requiring certain skill levels.
Type 2: Activities in 6 fields requiring higher, specialized skills.
Type 1: 1 year / 6 months / 4 months (up to 5 years in total) Type 2: 3 years / 1 year / 6 months (renewable without an upper limit)
Skill level and Japanese language ability must be verified through examinations
Technical Intern Training (TITP) 1 / 2 / 3
Activities aimed at acquiring skills that cannot be learned through simple labor, through structured technical training.
A period individually designated by the Minister of Justice (not exceeding 1 or 2 years).
Must not be used as a means of supplying labor.
Entertainment
Activities as actors, singers, professional athletes, models, or other entertainment‑related performers.
3 years / 1 year / 6 months / 3 months / 15 days
—
Medical Services
Activities performed by licensed medical professionals such as physicians, dentists, or nurses.
5 years / 3 years / 1 year / 3 months
Japanese medical qualification required
Researcher
Activities involving research at public institutions or private companies.
5 years / 3 years / 1 year / 3 months
—
Instructor
Activities involving language education or general education at elementary, junior high, or high schools.
5 years / 3 years / 1 year / 3 months
—
Legal / Accounting Services
Activities performed by licensed professionals such as attorneys or certified public accountants under Japanese law.
5 years / 3 years / 1 year / 3 months
Japanese professional qualification required
Business Manager
Activities involving the operation or management of enterprises in Japan (e.g., company executives, directors).
5 years / 3 years / 1 year / 3 months
Requires a stable and continuous business operation
Diplomat
Activities performed by members of diplomatic missions of foreign governments.
5 years / 3 years / 1 year / 3 months / 15 days
—
Official
Activities performed by officials of foreign governments or international organizations engaged in official duties.
5 years / 3 years / 1 year / 3 months / 15 days
—
Professor
Activities involving research or education at universities, junior colleges, or colleges of technology.
5 years / 3 years / 1 year / 3 months
—
Artist
Activities involving artistic creation (e.g., composers, painters, sculptors).
5 years / 3 years / 1 year / 3 months
—
Religious Activities
Activities performed by individuals dispatched by foreign religious organizations to engage in missionary or other religious work.
5 years / 3 years / 1 year / 3 months
—
Journalist
Activities performed by members of foreign media organizations engaged in reporting, editing, or news coverage.
5 years / 3 years / 1 year / 3 months
—
Why Professional Support Is Essential
Obtaining, changing, or renewing a residence status in Japan requires meeting strict and complex requirements, such as educational background, work experience, annual income, or point-based evaluations. Even after receiving permission, proper management of your status is necessary when your circumstances change—such as changing jobs, getting married, becoming self‑employed, or switching companies.
At our office, we carefully review your current situation and identify the application method with the highest chance of approval. We provide comprehensive support, from organizing required documents to preparing application forms and communicating with the immigration authorities on your behalf.
Our goal is to free you from complicated procedures so you can focus on your life and work in Japan with peace of mind.
About Fees
Applying for or renewing a residence status often requires support that fits each person’s situation. At our office, we cut unnecessary costs as much as possible and offer services at prices that are very reasonable compared to other firms.
We also keep our pricing clear and easy to understand, so even first‑time clients can feel comfortable working with us. For more details, please check our fee list.