Every foreign national staying or residing in Japan must hold a valid “Status of Residence.” Currently, there are 29 different types of statuses, which can be broadly categorized into three groups: working visas, family/status-based visas (such as marriage or long-term residence), and others (such as student or tourist visas).
To help you understand the options, we have clearly organized which status applies to your situation or which visa is required for the foreign talent your company wishes to hire.
1. “Work Visas” – The Most Standard Statuses for Employment
If you plan to be employed by a company in Japan, you will generally need to obtain one of the following statuses of residence. As a general rule, there must be a direct relevance (link) between your major at school or past work experience and the duties you will perform in Japan.
List of Major Work Visas
| Status of Residence | Who is this for? (Examples) | Main Activities / Job Types |
| Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services | Graduates from universities or vocational schools Those who worked as IT engineers or in sales roles in their home countries | IT engineers, interpreters/translators, designers, international sales, marketing, general affairs, accounting, etc. (Primarily desk work / office roles) |
| Technical Intern Training | Foreign nationals aiming to learn skills to transfer to their home countries. [Notice: System Update] The Technical Intern Training Program will be consolidated into the new “Training and Employment” → “Specified Skilled Worker” framework by April 2027. Current Interns: You may continue under existing transitional measures, but you cannot switch to the new “Training and Employment” system. Graduates: You may still transition to “Specified Skilled Worker” status by passing the required exams. | This system allows foreign nationals to systematically acquire skills in various fields, such as agriculture, construction, food manufacturing, machinery processing, and nursing care. Skill Progression: Interns advance through levels from 1st year (TITP 1) to 2nd year (TITP 2), and finally to 3rd year (TITP 3). Path to Specified Skilled Worker: Upon successfully completing the 3rd-year program and passing the required examinations, participants are eligible to transition to Specified Skilled Worker status. |
| Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) | Qualified personnel ready for immediate deployment. Individuals who have passed the Specified Skilled Worker and Japanese language examinations. Individuals who have completed the Technical Intern Training (TITP 3) program. | Graduates of the Technical Intern Training (TITP 3) program are eligible to transition to Specified Skilled Worker status upon passing the required examinations. The Specified Skilled Worker system is divided into two categories: Specified Skilled Worker (i): Available in 19 industry sectors. Specified Skilled Worker (ii): Available in 11 industry sectors. Applicable Fields: The system covers a wide range of fields, including Nursing Care, Food Service, Hospitality, Manufacturing (Material, Industrial Machinery, Electrical/Electronic Information), and Construction. These roles include essential on-site labor and operational tasks. |
| Intra-company Transferee | Personnel transferring from an overseas head office or branch to a main or branch office in Japan. | Managers, executives, or engineers who have been engaged in duties corresponding to “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities” at an overseas location for a certain period or more. |
| Business Manager | Those establishing a new company and managing its operations in Japan Those assuming executive roles (such as President or Director) in an existing company | Business operations and corporate management. (Requires fulfilling specific requirements, including securing a physical office and meeting a designated scale of investment/business size.) |
| Highly Skilled Professional (HSP) | Top-tier professionals scoring 70+ points based on criteria like education, career, and annual income | Researchers, engineers, or executives who qualify for preferential immigration benefits, such as fast-track permanent residency. |
⚠️Important Note for HR & Hiring Managers
Those residing under the “Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services” visa are strictly prohibited from engaged in manual or frontline labor (such as factory line work, restaurant service/kitchen staff, or retail cashiers) as their primary duty. If you are looking to hire foreign talent as immediate assets for frontline operations, you will need to consider the “Specified Skilled Worker (SSW)” visa instead.
Note: The SSW program also includes “Specified Skilled Worker (ii),” which allows highly skilled individuals to work in Japan long-term. As of now, this advanced status is officially recognized across 11 designated sectors, including construction and manufacturing.
2. “Status or Family-Based Visas” – No Restrictions on Activities These statuses are granted to individuals who marry a Japanese national, have blood relations in Japan, or have resided in Japan for a long period. The greatest advantage of this group is that there are absolutely no restrictions on employment. Just like Japanese citizens, holders of these visas can work in any industry or occupation, with no limits on working hours (including part-time jobs).
■ Types of Status-Based Visas and Eligible Applicants
- Spouse or Child of Japanese National
- Target Applicants: Spouses of Japanese nationals, biological children of Japanese nationals, or legally adopted children.
- Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident
- Target Applicants: Spouses of foreign nationals who hold “Permanent Resident” status, or children born in Japan to Permanent Residents.
- Long-Term Resident
- Target Applicants: Persons of Japanese descent (Nikkeijin), foreign nationals who have divorced or been widowed by a Japanese national/Permanent Resident, stepchildren, etc. (specifically designated by the Minister of Justice).
- Permanent Resident
- Target Applicants: In principle, those who have resided in Japan for 5 years or more, demonstrate good conduct, and possess a stable financial base for living. Once approved through a rigorous screening process, the period of stay becomes indefinite (no renewal of stay required).
3. “Other Visas” – Generally Not Permitted to Work These statuses are granted to individuals staying in Japan for studies, tourism, or other specific personal circumstances.
■ Major Statuses and Eligible Applicants
- Student
- Target Applicants: Students attending Japanese universities, Japanese language schools, or vocational schools.
- ※By obtaining a “Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted Under the Status of Residence Previously Granted” (資格外活動許可), students are allowed to work part-time for up to 28 hours per week.
- Dependent
- Target Applicants: Spouses or children who are financially supported by a foreign national residing in Japan under a working visa or other qualifying status.
- ※Similar to the “Student” visa, holders can work part-time for up to 28 hours per week upon receiving official permission.
- Designated Activities
- Target Applicants: This broad category includes individuals on Working Holidays, Internships, international student graduates conducting Job-Hunting or Career Transition activities (Designated Activities No. 46), and EPA Care Worker Candidates, among other specific individual cases.
Conclusion: Careful “Pre-Verification” is the Key to a Successful Visa Application
Obtaining, changing, or renewing a Status of Residence involves a strict screening process. The immigration authorities review not only the applicant’s personal and academic background but also the financial stability of the hiring company, the necessity of the role, and the specific terms of the employment contract.
To prevent common setbacks—such as a visa being denied after an official job offer has been made, or processing delays causing a missed start date—we highly recommend consulting with a professional before submitting your application if you have any concerns.
Our office is dedicated to serving as a “bridge” between your company and international talent, providing full and comprehensive support to ensure a smooth visa acquisition process.
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