Skilled Labor Visa

At a Glance

Item	Details
Visa Name	Skilled Labor Visa (技能)
Stay	1, 3, or 5 years (renewable)
Cost	Free for COE; 15,000 JPY visa fee
Eligibility Timing	Typically 10 years experience; 5 for chefs
Work Rights	Restricted to permitted specialized skilled field
Study	Not stated in the source
Medicare	Not stated in the source
Travel Facility	Not stated in the source
Citizenship	Not stated in the source
Family Sponsorship	Spouse and children eligible (Dependent visa)
Visa Record	Certificate of Eligibility and visa sticker
Processing Time	COE: 1–3 months (avg. 97.1 days)

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Purpose & Overview

The Skilled Labor visa allows foreign nationals with practical, hands-on mastery in specialized trades or artisanal crafts to work in Japan. Unlike visas requiring university degrees, this status is based on demonstrated years of professional experience.

Common qualifying professions include:

• Foreign and ethnic cuisine chefs (e.g., Chinese, French, Thai, Korean, Indian, or Japanese cuisine specialists)
• Aircraft pilots and navigators
• Aircraft maintenance engineers
• Sports coaches and instructors with recognized professional credentials
• Skilled craftspeople (e.g., jewelers, glassblowers, gem engravers)
• Animal trainers and handlers
• Building technicians

Official details can be accessed via the Immigration Services Agency of Japan.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Experience: Standard requirement of 10 years of relevant professional experience. Foreign cuisine chefs may qualify with as few as 5 years of specialized training and experience.
• Employment: Must have a valid employment contract from a Japanese employer.
• Skill Level: The trade must require technical skills not easily sourced from the domestic Japanese labor market.
• Certifications: Must hold relevant trade licenses, apprenticeship records, or certifications where applicable.
• Passport: Valid passport required.

Stay and Renewal

• Duration: Granted for 1, 3, or 5 years per single period of residence.
• Renewal: Renewable indefinitely, provided employment continues in the same specialized field.
• Transition Paths: Holders may switch to a Business Manager visa (e.g., to open a restaurant) or apply for Permanent Resident status if applicable conditions are met.

Costs & Fees

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

Processing Times

• COE (Overseas Application): Typically 1–3 months (Ministry of Justice average: 97.1 days).
• Change of Status (Within Japan): Average 28.6 days.
• Renewal / Extension: Average 32.5 days.

Work Rights & Conditions

• Employment is restricted to the specific skilled labor field authorized under the status.
• Changing employers is permitted only within the same skill field. If changing to an unrelated field, a change of visa status is required.

Family Provisions

The visa holder's spouse and children may apply to reside in Japan under a Dependent (Family Stay) visa.

Holder Obligations

• Municipal Registration: Register local residential address at the municipality within 14 days of entering Japan.
• Job Changes: Notify the Immigration Services Agency within 14 days of changing employers.

Required Documents

• Valid passport
• Application form for Certificate of Eligibility
• Recent passport-size photograph
• Employment contract from the Japanese employer
• Description of the work to be performed in Japan
• Employer’s Japanese company registration documents
• Detailed proof of work experience (employment records, certificates from previous employers, award certificates, photos)
• Relevant licenses, training certificates, or apprenticeship records

Application Steps

1. Job Offer: Secure an employment contract requiring your trade skills from a sponsor in Japan.
2. Document Preparation: Gather verifiable proof of required professional experience and qualifications.
3. COE Application: The employer submits the COE application to the regional Immigration Services Agency in Japan.
4. Visa Application: After the COE is issued, submit it alongside the visa application to the local Japanese Embassy or Consulate overseas.
5. Entry & Registration: Receive the visa, enter Japan, and register your address at the local municipal office within 14 days.

Important Warnings

• Strict Experience Verification: The 10-year experience requirement is strictly scrutinized. Reliable, detailed documentation (e.g., previous employment certificates, photos, awards) must be provided.
• Rejection Risks: Falsifying employment history or years of experience is a common ground for application refusal.
• Chef Applications: Ethnic cuisine chefs represent the highest volume of applications, leading to high competition and strict assessment of authentic expertise.