Imiatlas

🇯🇵 Japan

Japan Work Visa: requirements and how to apply

Japan has 2 work visa routes: Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services, Highly Skilled Professional (高度専門職 - HSP).

Official Japan work visa page

Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services

The most common standard Japanese work visa for corporate, tech, teaching, and translation roles.

Typical duration
1, 3, or 5 years
Path to permanent residency
Permanent residency after 10 continuous years (or 1-3 years under HSP points)

Main requirements

  • Degree in relevant field or 10 years experience
  • Binding Japanese employment contract

Official page

Highly Skilled Professional (高度専門職 - HSP)

Points-based status (evaluating education, salary, age, JLPT level) offering preferential immigration privileges.

Typical duration
5 years
Path to permanent residency
Fast-track Permanent Residency in 3 years (70 points) or just 1 year (80+ points)

Main requirements

  • Score ≥ 70 or 80 points on HSP evaluation matrix

Official page

Documents usually needed for Japan

  • Certificate of Eligibility (COE) issued by Japanese Immigration Bureau before consular filing
  • Recognized university degree or equivalent 10+ years professional experience
  • For Digital Nomad Visa: annual foreign income ≥ ¥10,000,000 JPY (~$68,000 USD) and private health insurance
  • Passport valid for at least 6 months and a compliant photo (make yours here)

Application steps

  1. 1

    Certificate of Eligibility (COE) Petition

    Sponsoring entity or legal representative submits COE application to Regional Immigration Bureau in Japan.

    1 - 3 months

  2. 2

    Consular Visa Exchange

    Present approved physical or electronic COE to the local Japanese Embassy/Consulate.

    3 - 7 business days

  3. 3

    Airport Landing & Residence Card (在留カード)

    Receive Zairyu Card at major international airports (Narita, Haneda, Kansai) and register address at the Ward Office (区役所).

    Immediate upon landing

Other ways to move to Japan

Find a licensed adviser

For advice on your own case, use a licensed immigration lawyer or adviser. Always check they are registered before you pay anyone. Imiatlas does not refer or review cases.

Look for a lawyer registered with the national bar association or law society in Japan. The official immigration website explains any rules on who may represent applicants.

Immigration Services Agency of Japan (出入国在留管理庁)

General information to help you research, not legal advice. Rules change often: always confirm with Immigration Services Agency of Japan (出入国在留管理庁) on the official website before applying.