Japan
Top Visa Pathways
Most popular and desirable options for skilled professionals
JapanEngineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services
Employment in engineering, IT, sciences, humanities, foreign languages, business, law, or marketing.
JapanHighly Skilled Professional Visa
Points-based visa with fast-track to permanent residence (1-3 years) for highly qualified professionals.
Japan経営・管理 — Business Manager Visa
Starting or managing a business in Japan with sufficient capital (typically ¥5M+) and a physical office.
All Visa Pathways(48 visas)
JapanArtist (芸術)
Renewable residence status for independent professional artists in music, fine arts, literature, or photography who earn income from their creative work in Japan.
JapanCultural Activities Visa
Visa for learning or research of Japanese traditional arts and culture. For activities like tea ceremony, calligraphy, martial arts, and traditional crafts under professional guidance.
JapanDependent Visa
Spouse or child of a foreign national residing in Japan on a qualifying visa status.
JapanDesignated Activities (EPA Nurse / Care Worker Candidate)
This visa is designed for candidate nurses and care workers from partner countries (Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam) to work and train in Japan under a bilateral Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA). The goal is to enable candidates to obtain Japanese national licenses (Kangoshi for nurses or Kaigofukushishi for care workers) while working under supervision.
JapanDesignated Activities (Housekeeper / Domestic Helper)
This visa allows foreign housekeepers, nannies, or domestic helpers to be privately employed by qualifying foreign residents in Japan (such as diplomats, business managers, or highly skilled professionals).
JapanDesignated Activities (Job Hunting for International Graduates)
This status of residence allows international graduates of Japanese universities, junior colleges, and vocational schools to remain in Japan for up to one year to continue their job search after graduation.
JapanDesignated Activities (Long Stay for Sightseeing and Recreation)
This visa (officially Designated Activities No. 40 for the main applicant and No. 41 for the accompanying spouse) is designed for high-net-worth individuals from visa-exempt countries to stay in Japan for extended tourism and recreation.
JapanDesignated Activities (No. 46 - Japanese University Graduates)
This visa (特定活動告示46号) is a work visa for foreign graduates of Japanese universities with high Japanese language proficiency, allowing them to engage in a wide range of service, hospitality, and manufacturing roles that are typically restricted under traditional work visas.
JapanDesignated Activities (Prospective Employee / Job Offer Holder)
This status of residence allows international graduates who have received a confirmed job offer to remain in Japan during the waiting period before their employment officially begins.
JapanDesignated Activities (特定活動)
Flexible catch-all residency category for individuals whose activities fall outside standard visa types, with stay periods of 3 months to 5 years set individually.
JapanDigital Nomad Visa (Designated Activities)
Live in Japan up to 6 months as a remote worker for an overseas employer or clients, with annual income of at least JPY 10M and private health cover.
JapanDiplomat (外交)
Status of residence for accredited diplomatic agents, consular officers, and their household dependents assigned to an official mission in Japan.
JapanEmployment for Skill Development Visa (育成就労)
Three-year employer-sponsored training visa for foreign workers aged 18 or over in 17 labor-shortage sectors, leading toward permanent residency.
JapanEngineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services
Employment in engineering, IT, sciences, humanities, foreign languages, business, law, or marketing.
JapanEntertainer Visa
Work visa for professional performers, artists, athletes, and entertainers. For concerts, theatrical performances, sports competitions, and entertainment activities.
JapanHighly Skilled Professional Visa
Points-based visa with fast-track to permanent residence (1-3 years) for highly qualified professionals.
JapanInstructor (教育)
Renewable work status for qualified teachers and language instructors employed at School Education Act schools in Japan, with family accompaniment options.
JapanJournalist (報道)
Renewable long-term status for foreign reporters, editors, and photographers employed by overseas news organizations covering stories in Japan.
JapanLegal Services Visa
Work visa for foreign lawyers and legal professionals. For attorneys and legal specialists providing legal services in Japan.
JapanLegal/Accounting Services Visa
For foreign-qualified professionals (attorneys, CPAs, etc.) to practice their profession in Japan.
JapanLong-Term Resident Visa
Visa for individuals with special connections to Japan, including children of Japanese nationals and refugees.
JapanMedical Services Visa
Work visa for qualified healthcare professionals. For doctors, nurses, dentists, pharmacists, and other medical specialists. Requires relevant professional license.
JapanOfficial (公用)
Fee-exempt residence status for administrative, technical, and support staff of foreign governments or international organizations on official duty in Japan, plus family members.
JapanPermanent Resident (永住者)
Indefinite residency status for foreign nationals who have lived in Japan long-term and meet income and conduct requirements, with no employment restrictions.
JapanProfessor Visa
Work visa for university professors and academics. For teaching, research guidance, and education at universities and higher institutions in Japan.
JapanReligious Activities Visa
Visa for religious workers and missionaries. For priests, pastors, monks, nuns, and other formal religious personnel dispatched by overseas religious organizations.
JapanResearcher Visa
Work visa for researchers conducting research activities at Japanese organizations. For non-academic research institutions, corporate R&D, and government research facilities.
JapanSkilled Labor (技能)
Renewable work status for highly experienced vocational specialists such as chefs, pilots, coaches, and sommeliers holding a Japanese job offer.
JapanSpecial Permanent Resident (特別永住者)
A special permanent resident status granted mainly to those who have been residing in Japan due to historical circumstances dating back to before World War II, and to their descendants.
JapanSpecified Skilled Worker 1 (Tokutei Ginou 1)
Work visa for skilled workers in 16 designated industries requiring Japanese language and skills tests.
JapanSpouse of Japanese National Visa
Visa for spouses of Japanese nationals, with full work rights and path to permanent residence.
JapanSpouse or Child of Permanent Resident (永住者の配偶者等)
Renewable up to five-year status for spouses and biological children of foreign permanent residents in Japan, with unrestricted work rights.
JapanStartup Visa
Visa for entrepreneurs starting innovative businesses in participating Japanese municipalities.
JapanStudent Visa (Ryugaku)
Full-time study at a Japanese educational institution. Language schools to graduate programs.
JapanTechnical Intern Training (技能実習)
A program designed to transfer skills, technologies, or knowledge from Japan to developing regions by allowing foreign nationals to work as interns in Japanese host organizations.
JapanTemporary Visitor
Tourism, family visits, short business, conferences. Up to 90 days visa-free for 70+ nationalities.
JapanTraining/Internship Visa
Visa for international interns and trainees. For university students completing internships and technical training programs. Requires agreement between host company and sending university.
JapanVisa for Medical Stay (医療滞在査証)
This visa is issued to foreign patients wishing to visit Japan for medical purposes and their accompanying person(s).
JapanWorking Holiday Visa
Visa for young adults (18-30) from partner countries to work and travel in Japan for up to 1 year.
Japanjp-hsp2 — Highly Skilled Professional (ii) (高度専門職2号)
This status of residence is for foreign nationals who have engaged in activities as a Highly Skilled Professional (i) for three years or more, granting an indefinite period of stay.
Japanjp-j-find — Designated Activities (J-Find)
For recent graduates of top global universities to engage in job-hunting or business preparation in Japan.
Japanjp-j-skip — Special Highly Skilled Professional (J-Skip)
A fast-track visa for top-tier professionals (researchers, engineers, managers) to bypass the standard points system.
Japanjp-ssw2 — Specified Skilled Worker 2 (SSW2)
For foreign workers with advanced skills in specific industrial fields (e.g., construction, shipbuilding, manufacturing).
Japanjp-transit — Transit Visa (通過査証)
The Transit Visa is designed for foreign nationals transiting through Japan to another country who wish to leave the airport transit area for up to 15 days.
Japan介護 — Nursing Care (介護)
Renewable work status for certified care workers holding the Kaigo Fukushishi qualification employed at licensed nursing care facilities in Japan.
Japan企業内転勤 — Intra-Company Transferee Visa
Work visa for employees transferred from foreign headquarters to Japan branch.
Japan研修 — Trainee (研修)
Non-renewable, one-year residence status for foreign nationals sent by an overseas organization to attend structured, non-remunerative training at a Japanese partner institution.
Japan経営・管理 — Business Manager Visa
Starting or managing a business in Japan with sufficient capital (typically ¥5M+) and a physical office.