Visa pathways
Find the pathway that fits your next step.
Explore visa pathways.
29 pathways found
JapanArtist Visa (芸術)
Visa pathway
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. Grante…
View pathwayBusiness Manager Visa (経営・管理)
Visa pathway
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,…
View pathwayCultural Activities Visa
Visa pathway
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, a…
View pathwayDesignated Activities Visa (特定活動)
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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 E…
View pathwayEducator Visa (教育)
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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 s…
View pathwayEngineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services (技術・人文知識・国際業務)
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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 spe…
View pathwayEntertainer Visa (興行)
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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…
View pathwayFamily Stay (Dependent) Visa
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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 wor…
View pathwayIntra-Company Transferee Visa
Visa pathway
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 emplo…
View pathwayJournalist Visa
Visa pathway
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 t…
View pathwayLegal / Accounting Services Visa
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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 re…
View pathwayLong-Term Resident (定住者)
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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 nation…
View pathwayMedical Services Visa (医療)
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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, typica…
View pathwayNursing Care Visa
Visa pathway
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 perio…
View pathwayOfficial Visa
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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…
View pathwayPermanent Resident Visa
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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 v…
View pathwayProfessor Visa
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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…
View pathwayReligious Activities Visa
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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 religi…
View pathwayResearcher Visa
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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…
View pathwayShort-Term Stay Visa (Tourism / Business)
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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…
View pathwaySkilled Labor Visa
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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 liv…
View pathwaySpecified Skilled Worker Visa (Type 1 & Type 2)
Visa pathway
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…
View pathwaySpouse / Child of Japanese National Visa
Visa pathway
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 restriction…
View pathwaySpouse / Child of Permanent Resident Visa
Visa pathway
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…
View pathwayStartup Visa (Program to Promote Startup Businesses by Foreign Nationals)
Subclass Designated Activities
A preparatory residence status valid for up to two years that allows foreign entrepreneurs to enter Japan and prepare business operations, secure funding, and establish a company before transitioning to a Business Manage…
View pathwayStatus of Residence: Highly Skilled Professional
Visa pathway
Japan's Highly Skilled Professional status is a points-based residence status for foreign nationals with advanced specialized abilities in academic research, advanced technical fields, or business management. It includes…
View pathwayStudent visa (留学)
Visa pathway
The Student visa allows foreign nationals to study at Japanese universities, graduate schools, language schools, vocational schools, or accredited institutions. Residence periods range up to 4 years and 3 months and can…
View pathwayTechnical Intern Training Visa
Visa pathway
A technical transfer program allowing workers from partner countries to acquire vocational skills at Japanese host companies for up to 5 years across three stages (Type 1, Type 2, and Type 3). The status is strictly tied…
View pathwayTrainee Visa
Visa pathway
The Trainee visa is a Japanese residence status for foreign nationals participating in structured educational or technical training programs at Japanese companies or organizations. It covers non-remunerated, observationa…
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