Japan visa pathways and migration community

Artist Visa (芸術)

A residence status for professional creative artists—including painters, sculptors, composers, writers, and architects—who reside in Japan to pursue original artistic creation while earning income from their work. Granted for periods of 1, 3, or 5 years.

Business Manager Visa (経営・管理)

The Business Manager visa is designed for foreign entrepreneurs, investors, and executives starting, investing in, or managing a business in Japan. It grants a single residence period of up to 5 years (4 months, 1 year, 3 years, or 5 years) and is renewable indefinitely if requirements are maintained. Holders are authorized exclusively to manage their enterprise and may not work as regular employees for other companies.

Study

Cultural Activities Visa

The Cultural Activities visa allows foreign nationals to stay in Japan for up to 3 years to engage in unpaid academic research or study traditional Japanese arts and culture, such as tea ceremony, ikebana, calligraphy, and martial arts, under the guidance of recognized experts or institutions.

Designated Activities Visa (特定活動)

Japan's umbrella residence status for specific activities defined by Ministry of Justice Notice or individual designation, covering over 20 sub-types such as digital nomads, working holidays, J-Find, medical stays, and EPA caregivers. Stay periods range from 3 months to 5 years depending on the designated sub-type.

Educator Visa (教育)

The Educator visa (教育) is a Japanese residence status for foreign nationals employed to teach at primary, secondary, or equivalent educational institutions in Japan, including elementary, junior high, high, and special support schools. It is commonly used by foreign language teachers and Assistant Language Teachers (ALTs).

Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services (技術・人文知識・国際業務)

A Japanese work visa for professionals in technical fields, humanities, or international business. It permits foreign nationals with a relevant university degree or 10 years of qualifying work experience to engage in specialized non-manual roles such as software engineering, translation, marketing, and business liaison. It is issued for periods up to 5 years and can be renewed indefinitely.

Entertainer Visa (興行)

The Entertainer visa is designed for professional performers—including musicians, actors, dancers, athletes, and models—contracted for paid entertainment engagements in Japan. It grants a single residence period of up to 3 years and requires residence status (Zairyu Shikaku).

Family

Family Stay (Dependent) Visa

Allows spouses and unmarried minor children of foreign nationals legally residing in Japan on work, study, or other long-term visas to live in Japan. The period of stay is tied to the principal visa holder. Full-time work is not permitted, but part-time work up to 28 hours per week is allowed upon obtaining separate permission.

Intra-Company Transferee Visa

The Intra-Company Transferee visa allows employees of multinational corporations to transfer from an overseas office to a Japanese branch, subsidiary, or affiliate. It requires at least one year of continuous prior employment at the sending company, managerial or specialist duties matching the qualifying scope, and a salary comparable to equivalent Japanese employees. Granted for periods of up to 5 years and renewable.

Journalist Visa

The Journalist visa (報道) is a residence status for foreign media professionals (including correspondents, broadcast journalists, photojournalists, cameramen, and editors) under contract with overseas news organizations to conduct news reporting and media work in Japan. It is granted for periods of 1, 3, or 5 years and is renewable.

Legal / Accounting Services Visa

A visa for foreign nationals holding Japanese professional licenses to practice in regulated fields such as law, accounting, tax advisory, and related legal-administrative services in Japan. Valid for 1 to 5 years and renewable.

Long-Term Resident (定住者)

A discretionary residence status granted by Japan's Minister of Justice for individuals with special ties to Japan, including third-generation Japanese descendants (Nikkei), divorced or widowed spouses of Japanese nationals, and recognized refugees. It allows unrestricted employment and a single residence period of up to 5 years, which is renewable.

Medical Services Visa (医療)

A residence status for foreign nationals licensed to practice medicine, dentistry, nursing, pharmacy, or other regulated healthcare professions in Japan. Applicants must hold a valid Japanese professional license, typically obtained by passing Japanese national licensing examinations, and have an employment contract or practice agreement with a recognized Japanese medical institution.

Nursing Care Visa

The Nursing Care visa allows foreign nationals who hold Japan's national Certified Care Worker (Kaigo Fukushishi) qualification to work as caregivers at Japanese nursing homes and care facilities. It is granted for periods of up to 5 years and is renewable indefinitely.

Official Visa

A Japanese status of residence for individuals engaged in official duties for a foreign government or international organization approved by the Japanese government, or members of the same household (excluding those with Diplomatic status). Granted periods of stay are 5 years, 3 years, 1 year, 3 months, 30 days, or 15 days.

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Permanent Resident Visa

Permanent residency grants indefinite residence rights in Japan with no work or activity restrictions. Standard eligibility requires 10 years of continuous residence (including 5 years on a qualifying work or residence visa), good conduct, financial stability, and compliant tax and social insurance payments. Accelerated pathways exist for spouses of Japanese nationals and Highly Skilled Professionals. The status is permanent, with residence card renewal required every 7 years.

Professor Visa

The Professor visa is a Japanese residence status for foreign nationals appointed to teach or conduct research at Japanese universities, junior colleges, or colleges of technology. It is granted for periods ranging from 3 months up to 5 years and is renewable.

Religious Activities Visa

The Religious Activities visa is a residence status for clergy, missionaries, and religious leaders dispatched by an overseas religious organization to engage in missionary work, ministry, religious ceremonies, or religious education in Japan.

Researcher Visa

The Researcher visa (研究) is for foreign nationals engaged in pure research activities at Japanese universities (non-teaching), public research institutes, or private company R&D departments. Issued for up to 5 years and renewable, it requires relevant academic credentials (typically a master's or doctorate) or equivalent experience and an employment contract with a Japanese organization.

Visit

Short-Term Stay Visa (Tourism / Business)

The Short-Term Stay Visa allows foreign nationals to visit Japan for tourism, business meetings, cultural exchange, or family visits for up to 90 days. It does not require a Certificate of Eligibility or residence status, and paid work is strictly prohibited.

Skilled Labor Visa

The Skilled Labor visa allows foreign nationals with specialized practical experience in specific trades—such as ethnic cuisine chefs, aircraft pilots, sports coaches, animal trainers, and traditional craftspeople—to live and work in Japan under an employment contract with a Japanese employer.

Specified Skilled Worker Visa (Type 1 & Type 2)

The Specified Skilled Worker visa allows foreign nationals to work in Japan across designated labor-shortage sectors. Type 1 grants up to 5 years of stay without family accompaniment and requires skills and JLPT N4 tests. Type 2 is for higher-skilled workers, allows indefinite renewals and family sponsorship, and provides a pathway to permanent residency.

Family

Spouse / Child of Japanese National Visa

The Spouse / Child of Japanese National visa allows foreign spouses, biological children, and legally adopted children of Japanese citizens to reside in Japan. It grants full work freedom without occupational restrictions, validity periods up to 5 years, and an accelerated pathway to permanent residency after 3 years of marriage and 1 year of residence in Japan.

Family

Spouse / Child of Permanent Resident Visa

The Spouse / Child of Permanent Resident visa allows foreign spouses and minor children of Japanese permanent residents to live and work in Japan with no employment restrictions. It offers residence periods ranging from 6 months to 5 years and is renewable indefinitely as long as requirements are met.