Legal / Accounting Services Visa

At a Glance

Item	Details
Visa name	Legal / Accounting Services Visa
Stay period	1, 3, or 5 years
Cost	COE free; visa fee 15,000 JPY
Eligibility timing	After obtaining license and registration
Work rights	Restricted to licensed professional scope
Study rights	Not stated in the source
Medicare / Healthcare	Not stated in the source
Travel facility	Single entry mentioned for issuance
Citizenship path	Not stated in the source
Family sponsorship	Spouse and children (Dependent visa)
Visa record	Clean immigration/professional record required
Renewable	Yes, indefinitely if eligible
Processing time	1 to 3 months

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Purpose & Qualifying Professions

The Legal / Accounting Services visa (法律・会計業務) is a residence status for foreign nationals holding recognized Japanese professional licenses to practice regulated legal, accounting, tax, and related administrative services.

Qualifying professions include:

• Licensed attorneys (bengoshi) and registered foreign lawyers (gaiben / Foreign Legal Consultants)
• Certified Public Accountants (CPA) licensed in Japan
• Tax accountants (zeirishi) registered with the Japan Tax Accountants Association
• Judicial scriveners (shiho shoshi) and administrative scriveners (gyosei shoshi)
• Social insurance and labor consultants (shakai hokenshi / roudou hokenshi)

Eligibility Requirements

• Valid Japanese professional license in the relevant field (or registration as a gaiben for foreign-qualified lawyers).
• Active practice at an established firm or as an independent practitioner.
• Official registration with the relevant professional association in Japan (e.g., Japan Federation of Bar Associations, Japan Institute of Certified Public Accountants, or Japan Federation of Certified Tax Accountants Associations).
• Clean professional and immigration record.
• Valid passport.

Stay & Renewal

• Granted Periods: 1 year, 3 years, or 5 years.
• Extensions: Renewable indefinitely, provided the applicant continues to hold valid licenses and actively practices in the authorized field.

Costs & Fees

• Certificate of Eligibility (COE) Application: Free
• Visa Issuance Fee: 15,000 JPY (single entry, effective July 1, 2026)

Processing Times

General processing takes 1 to 3 months. Average review benchmarks:

• COE (Overseas Application): 13.0 days (30-month average: 33.9 days)
• Change of Status (Within Japan): 93.7 days (30-month average: 65.8 days)
• Extension / Renewal (Within Japan): 57.3 days (30-month average: 46.6 days)

Rights & Conditions

• Permitted Scope: Work activities are strictly limited to legal or accounting services recognized under Japanese law and within the scope of the specific professional license held. Consulting activities are permitted only if they fall within the license scope.
• Scope for Foreign Lawyers (Gaiben): Registered foreign lawyers may handle international law and the law of their qualified home jurisdiction. They cannot practice Japanese law unless they pass the Japanese Bar Examination (司法試験) and complete the Legal Training and Research Institute program.
• Family Members: Spouses and children may apply for a Dependent (Family Stay) visa.
• Transition Pathways: Eligible professionals can earn extra points toward the Highly Skilled Professional visa or apply for Permanent Resident status if conditions are met.

Obligations

• Must maintain active registration with the relevant Japanese professional association.
• Must register an address at the local municipal office within 14 days of arrival in Japan.

Required Documents

• Valid passport.
• Application for Certificate of Eligibility.
• Recent passport-size photograph.
• Copy of Japanese professional license or registration certificate.
• Registration certificate from the relevant professional association.
• Employment contract or practice establishment documents.
• Resume / CV detailing qualifications and work history.
• Office registration or lease agreement (for independent practitioners).

Application Steps

1. Obtain Qualification: Pass the relevant Japanese professional examination (or qualify as a foreign legal consultant).
2. Register: Register with the appropriate Japanese professional association.
3. Secure Work: Obtain employment at a firm or establish an independent practice in Japan.
4. Obtain COE: Apply for a Certificate of Eligibility at the regional Immigration Services Agency (applied for by the sponsor or applicant).
5. Apply for Visa: Submit the issued COE and visa application to a Japanese Embassy or Consulate abroad.
6. Enter Japan: Enter Japan with the visa and register your residential address within 14 days.

Official Resources

• Official Immigration Status Page: Immigration Services Agency of Japan