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Official (公用)
VisasJapanOfficial (公用)
JapanJapan•Asia
Open

Official (公用)

Work Dependents Allowed

At a Glance

Processing Time

5 working days

Estimated Cost

Free

Stay Duration

5 years

Renewable

Renewal

Renewable

Family

Dependents allowed

PR Pathway

None

Sponsor

No job offer needed

Work

Remote not required

Official Information
Japan flag

Living in Japan

Cost of Living
25% cheaper than United States
Avg Salary¥4,800,000
Quality of Life
161/200
Full Country Guide

Overview

The Japan Official (公用) visa is for foreign nationals on official duty for a recognized foreign government or international organization who do not qualify for a Diplomat visa. It covers administrative, technical, and support staff of foreign missions and international bodies, along with household family members.

The visa is granted for stays of 5 years, 3 years, 1 year, 3 months, 30 days, or 15 days matched to the length of the official assignment and is renewable. It is fully fee-exempt. Applications require a note verbale or official documentation from the sending organization. Processing takes 5 working days.

This visa is ideal for government officials and international organization employees assigned to Japan on official duty, along with their accompanying family members.

Japan

Curious about life in Japan?

Discover cost of living, salary benchmarks, tax rates, and quality of life — everything you need to know before you make the move.

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Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Must be a person engaged in official business for a foreign government or an international organization.

Must be a person who does not qualify for a Diplomat visa but is recognized as performing official duties.

Family members belonging to the same household are qualifying.

Must hold a valid official passport.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Passport

Photograph

Note verbale and/or documents issued by the foreign government or international organization, certifying the identity of the person concerned and his or her purposes while visiting Japan

Visa application form (In some cases this can be omitted)

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

  • Fee exempt

Worth Knowing

  • Strictly limited to official duties

Application Process

1

Receive official appointment

2

Submit application to embassy

3

Receive visa

Verified Claims (19)

Last verified May 31, 2026
Application Steps
Receive official appointment; Submit application to embassy; Receive visa
mofa.go.jp
Dependent Visa
Yes, dependents can accompany
mofa.go.jp
Fee Breakdown
—
mofa.go.jp
Fees
Exempt
mofa.go.jp
Forms
—
mofa.go.jp
Included Nationalities
—
mofa.go.jp
Job Offer Required
false
mofa.go.jp
Official Info
https://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/long/visa15.html
mofa.go.jp
Official Information
Japan flag

Living in Japan

Cost of Living
25% cheaper than United States
Avg Salary¥4,800,000
Quality of Life
161/200
Full Country Guide

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