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Visa＆License in Japan

Sending an Employee to a Company in Japan

Demand of the labor force from abroad is expected to rise continuously along with

the aging of the Japanese society.
When a foreigner works in Japan, s/he needs to apply for the proper type of working visa.

In Japan, foreign workers are protected from unfair exploitation by employers and thus there is a common requirement for each working visa.

A foreign worker cannot engage in general manual work and should be paid no less compensation than what a Japanese citizen would receive for the comparable job.

This page shows the list of working visa in Japan. If you are thinking to make application for working visa in Japan, this page should tell you which one you are eligible to apply for.

Visa Category

・Specialist in Humanities/International Services Visa

・Engineer Visa

・Skilled Labour Visa

・Investor/Business Manager Visa

・Intra-Company Transferee Visa

・Entertainer Visa

・Professor Visa

・Artist Visa

・Journalist Visa

・Legal and Accounting Services Visa

・Medical Services Visa

・Researcher Visa

・Instructor Visa

Specialist in Humanities/International Services Visa

Visa for Specialist in humanities/International Services is required where

the applicant engages in services which require knowledge of law, economics, sociology or other human science fields or to engage in services which require specific ways of thought or sensitivity based on experience with foreign culture.

Common types of job:

Translator, Interpreter, Trader, Language instructor, Financial advisor, Sales, Designer, etc

There are two categories for this visa.

Category	Requirements
Specialist in Humanities	⇒The applicant will engage in activity that　requires knowledge of law, economics, sociology, or other human science fields. ⇒The applicant’s major in university, college or vocational course is related to the activity s/he will engage in. Alternatively, the applicant can show that s/he has more than 10 years of experience. ⇒The applicant should receive no less compensation than what a Japanese citizen would receive for the comparable job.
International Services	⇒The applicant engages in services that require specific ways of thought or sensitivity based on experience with foreign culture. E.g. Interpreting, Translation, Copywriting, Design, Sales, Trades, Information Finance, or Public relations and Advertising. ⇒The applicant must have more than 3 years of work experience. No experience is needed when the applicant has graduated from university and plans to engage in interpreting and translation services. ⇒The applicant should receive no less salary than what a Japanese national would have received for the comparable job.

Period of Stay

⇒　1 year or 3 years

For further questions and inquiries, please contact us using the contact form.

Engineer Visa

Visa for engineer is required when;

⇒The applicant engages in services which require technology and/or knowledge of physical science, engineering or other natural science fields.

Common types of job:

Programmer, IT engineer, Network Engineer, Machine designer, Data processor, System analyst, Architect, etc.

Requirement

⇒The applicant should receive no less compensation than what a Japanese citizen would have received for the comparable job.

⇒　The applicant should receive no less salary than what a Japanese citizen

　　 would have received for the comparable job.

Period of Stay

⇒　1 year or 3 years

For further questions and inquiries, please contact us from contact form.

Skilled Labor Visa

Visa for skilled labor is required when;

⇒The applicant will engage in service that requires industrial techniques or skills belonging to special fields

Common types of job:

Chef, Architect, Sports instructor, Wine sommelier, Jewelry processor, Animal trainer, Mining Engineers, marine geologist, etc.

Requirements;

⇒The applicant should receive no less salary than what a Japanese citizen would have received for the comparable job.

⇒The applicant must have a few years of experience depending on the service and industry his or her skills are contributed to. The list of criteria is as follows; 　　

GUIDELINE

Occupation	Minimum years of experience required
Chef	10 years
Architect, Constructor	10 years
Manufacturer or Repairer of foreign products	10 years
Processor for jewelry, fur, and precious metals	10 years
Animal trainer	10 years
Oil driller, Mining Engineers, Marine Geologist	10 years
Aircraft pilot	1,000 hours experience in piloting an aircraft
Sports Instructor	3years
Wine Sommelier	5years

Period of Stay

⇒　1 year or 3 years

For further questions and inquiries, please contact us using the contact form.

Investor/Business Manager Visa

Investor/Business Manager Visa is required

1. To start or run a company.

2. To invest in a business and run a company.

Common types of job:

President, Director, Auditor, General manager, Factory manager and Branch manager, etc. (A person who actually carries out central administrative and managerial roles.)

There are 2 categories for this visa.

Requirements for Investor Category

Requirements

Descriptions

An OFFICE should be secured in Japan.

⇒The applicant should set up a business office which is separated from living space.

⇒Ideally, the lease term should be longer than 2 years.

⇒It should properly function as an operating business office. It should accommodate staff (if any), computers, Fax, phones and other office equipment. Please bear in mind that pictures and floor map of the office will be required to submit to the Immigration Bureau.

5 million Japanese yen should be invested to your business

⇒Preferably as a share capital of a company.

⇒It should be personally provided by the applicant him/herself.

⇒Alternatively, the applicant can employ 2 people who reside in Japan. Please bear in mind that hiring 2 full-time workers normally cost approximately 5 million yen for 1 year. On the other hand, the share capital of 5 million yen can be utilized for the business purpose.

They are merely statutory requirements.

IN PRACTICE, you need to tackle many more underlying problems.

Because Investor/Business Manager Visa is the only visa which does not require specific academic qualification or work experience, the Immigration Bureau has laid down strict regulations on its permission.

Recently, we receive many inquires regarding setting up a company and getting Investor/Business Manager Visa.

Before you launch your business and make application for visa, please consider if you qualify the following Actual Requirements;

1. You must have an address in Japan (if you are abroad, you need to visit Japan once to make alien registration with the local ward office in order to set up an office.)

2. You have specific business plan to start a company. Investor visa may seem an easy choice when you cannot find a job.

【Please think CAREFULLY before you leap】

The Immigration Bureau does not grant you an Investor/Business Manager Visa if you cannot prove that your new business is prospective.

In order to show that you are a good entrepreneur, you need to draw up an innovative, successful yet REALISTIC business plan.

It has to be realistic because when you renew your visa next year, the Immigration Bureau checks the business plan you submitted last year to see if your business is going accordingly.

(Please note that the given period of stay for Investor/Business Manager Visa is usually 1 year on the first attempt.)

Keys to apply and keep renewing visa are Sustainability and Stability.

You do not want to submit an over-the-top business plan but it is also true that every great business starts with a great business plan.

Our specialists are here to write a business plan you wish to launch, set up a company and make application for Investor/Business Manager Visa!

Requirements for Business Manager Category

Requirements

Descriptions

The applicant engages in administrative or managerial roles.

⇒The applicant needs to have at least 3 years of experience in administrative and managerial roles. If you majored management, administration or any subject to that effect, the period of time you studied will be calculated into the years of experience

⇒The applicant should receive no less compensation than what a Japanese citizen would have received for the comparable job.

Period of Stay

⇒　1 year or 3 years

For further questions and inquiries, please contact us using the contact form.

Intra-Company Transferee Visa

Intra-Company Transferee visa is required when;
⇒The applicant is transferred to a business office in Japan for a limited period of time.

Requirement
⇒The employee has worked abroad for the company for at least 1 year immediately prior to the transfer to Japan while engaging in services which fall under the categories of "Engineer" or "Specialist in Humanities/International".

⇒The applicant should receive no less salary than what a Japanese national would have received for the comparable job.

Period of Stay

⇒　1 year or 3 years

For further questions and inquiries, please contact us from contact form.

Entertainer Visa

The process of obtaining an entertainer visa has become more complex and time-consuming as the immigration office has recently tightened the visa regulation.

We understand the vital importance of obtaining the visa without delay for the event/performance/competition to be held.

Our support staff can offer you extensive experience and expertise in obtaining an entertainment visa.

Visa for Entertainer visa is required when;

⇒　your activities engage in theatrical performances, musical performances,

　　 sports or any other form of show business. E.g. composers, dancers,

　　 artists, fashion models, photographers, athletes, actors etc.

Occupation	Minimum years of experience required
Requirements for the applicant	Either the applicant has spent a minimum of 2 years at a foreign educational institution studying subjects relevant to the type of performance in which s/he wishes to engage in Japan or s/he has a minimum of 2 years of experience outside of Japan in the type of performance in which s/he wishes to engage.
	Entertainer visa holder must not take part in “serving the customers?E (E.g. where the hall accommodates serving/hosting facilities, there must be at least 5 employees at the facility whose duties are primarily for the purpose of “serving the customers)
	The applicant is to receive no less compensation than what a Japanese national would receive for the comparable work.
Requirements for the inviting organization	The operator or the manager should have at least 3 years of experience in the show business involving foreign nationals.
	The organization must employ at least 5 full-time employees in Japan.
	The organization has properly made payment to foreign entertainers as specified in the contract in the past 3 years.
	The operator and all full-time employees of the organization must not have been found guilty of committing “any crime?Eas specified under Article 73, Paragraph 2 of the Immigration Control Act or Article 6 or 12 of the Anti-prostitution Law 1956. Alternatively, the operator, manager or other full-time employees must not have committed any collective or customary violent offence provided for by Article 5 of the Enforcement Regulations of the Law on Control and Improvement of Amusement and Entertainment Businesses.
Requirements for the facility	Attendance of the performance must not be limited to any specific groups or individuals.
	There must be a stage of at least 13 square meters.
	Where the hall accommodates serving/hosting facilities, there must be at least 5 employees at the facility whose duties are primarily the “serving of customers?E
	There must be a waiting room for the entertainers of at least 9 square meters (if the number of entertainers is greater than 5, there must be an additional 1.6 square meters for every extra entertainer).
	There must be at least 5 employees at the facility.
	The operator or other full-time employees of the facility must not have been found guilty of committing any crime under Article 73, Paragraph 2 of the Immigration Control Act or Article 6 or 12 of the Anti-prostitution Law. Alternatively, the operator, manager, or other full-time employees must not have committed any collective or customary violent offense provided for by Article 5 of the Enforcement Regulations of the Law on Control and Improvement of Amusement and Entertainment Businesses.

Dancer, singer, choreographer, instructor, actor/actress, other performers, fashion model and athlete (to engage in public entertainment other than theatrical or musical performances)
Requirements for the applicant	The applicant is to engage in one of the following activities; 1. Activities relating to advertisement of goods or business. 2. Activities relating to production of broadcast programs (including cable broadcast programs) or movies. 3. Activities relating to taking of commercial-use photographs. 4. Activities relating to recording of commercial-use records.
	The applicant is to receive no less salary than what a Japanese national would receive for comparable work.
	The operator or the manager should have at least 3 years?Eexperience in the show business involving foreign nationals.
	The organization must employ at least 5 full-time employees in Japan.
	The organization has properly made payment to foreign entertainers as specified in contracts in the past 3 years.
Requirements for the inviting organization	The operator and all full-time employees of the organization must not have been found guilty of committing “any crime?Eas specified under Article 73, Paragraph 2 of the Immigration Control Act or Article 6 or 12 of the Anti-prostitution Law 1956. Alternatively, the operator, manager or other full-time employees must not have committed any collective or customary violent offence provided for by Article 5 of the Enforcement Regulations of the Law on Control and Improvement of Amusement and Entertainment Businesses.

Professional athlete(to participate in a athletic competition)
Requirements for the applicant	The applicant is to perform at an athletic competition as an individual or as part of a team.
	The applicant is to receive no less salary than what a Japanese national would receive for comparable work.
Requirements for the inviting organization	The operator or the manager should have at least 3 years?Eexperience in the show business involving foreign nationals.
	The organization must employ at least 5 full-time employees in Japan.
	The organization has properly made payment to foreign athletes as specified in contracts in the past 3 years.
	The operator and all full-time employees of the organization must not have been found guilty of committing “any crime?Eas specified under Article 73, Paragraph 2 of the Immigration Control Act or Article 6 or 12 of the Anti-prostitution Law 1956. Alternatively, the operator, manager or other full-time employees must not have committed any collective or customary violent offence provided for by Article 5 of the Enforcement Regulations of the Law on Control and Improvement of Amusement and Entertainment Businesses.

Period of Stay

⇒　15 days, 3 months, 6 months and 1 year

For further questions and inquiries, please contact us from contact form.

Professor Visa

Professor visa is required where;
⇒the applicant engages in activities for research, guidance of research or education at a college, an equivalent educational institutions or a college of technology (kotosenmongakko).

Requirement

⇒The applicant should be able to prove that activities he will engage in Japan are genuine.

Note:
The applicant will be required to provide documents such as employment contract and certificate of employment.

Period of Stay

⇒　1 year or 3 years

For further questions and inquiries, please contact us from contact form.

Artist Visa

Artist visa is required where;
⇁Ethe applicant engages in activities for the arts that provide income, including music, the fine arts, literature, etc. (except for the activities listed in the "Entertainer" section.)

Requirement

The applicant should be able to prove that activities he will engage in Japan are genuine.

Note:
The applicant should be able to prove that s/he is sufficiently regarded as Artist.
Documents and materials which should be provided to the Immigration Bureau vary depending on the field of art.
Ex. Certificates of awards, articles, recommendation letter, portfolio, etc.

Period of Stay

⇒　1 year or 3 years

For further questions and inquiries, please contact us from contact form.

Journalist Visa

Journalist visa is required where;
⇒The applicant engages in news coverage and other journalistic activities conducted based on a contract with a foreign journalistic organization.

Requirement
⇒The applicant should be legally employed by a foreign journalist organization.
⇁EThe employment contract with a foreign journalist organization includes full-time, contract-based, entrustment and other types of employment and should be a continuous contract with a particular journalistic organization.

Note:
Other activities such as creating TV programmres and productions which are not directly related to the journalistic activities are NOT permitted.

Period of Stay

⇒　1 year or 3 years

For further questions and inquiries, please contact us from contact form.

Legal and Accounting Services Visa

Legal and Accounting Services visa is required where;
⇒The applicant engages in activities to engage in legal or accounting business, which is required to be carried out by registered foreign lawyers (Gaikokuhojimubengoshi) or certified public accountants (Gaikokukoninkaikeishi) or those with other legal qualifications.

Requirement
⇒The applicant should have one of the following qualifications

・Lawyer (Bengoshi)
・Foreign lawyer (Gaikokuhou bengoshi)
・Judicial scrivener (Shihoshoshi)
・Public accountant (Konin Kaikeishi)
・Foreign public accountant (Gaikoku Konin Kaikeishi)
・Public tax accountant (Zeirishi)
・Administrative scrivener (Gyoseishoshi)
・Social insurance and labor consultant (Shakai Hoken Roumushi)
・Land and house investigator (Tochi kaoku chousashi)
・Patent attorney (Benrishi)
・Other certified qualifications

⇒The applicant should engage in the above activities which the applicant is legally entitled to carry out.

Period of Stay

⇒　1 year or 3 years

For further questions and inquiries, please contact us from contact form.

Medical Services Visa

Medical Services visa is required where;
⇒The applicant engages in activities to engage in medical treatment services, which are required to be undertaken by physicians, dentists or those with other legal qualifications.

Requirement
⇒The applicant has studied medical science or dentistry and graduated from a university in Japan and will engage in relevant training/activities within 6 years from graduation.
⇒The applicant has studied medical science or dentistry and graduated from a university in Japan will engage in medical service and dentistry at a hospital or clinic where it is difficult to secure sufficient numbers of physicians or dentists and is in need of physicians or dentists.
⇒A hygienist, midwife, nurse or trainee nurse will engage in their major field. Please note that the applicant should engage within 4 years of graduation or completion of a course.
⇒Where a pharmacist, dental hygienist, radiologist, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, orthotist, clinical engineer or orthotist will engage in the field of their major, s/he should be　invited by a medical organization or pharmacy in Japan.

Period of Stay

⇒　1 year or 3 years

For further questions and inquiries, please contact us from contact form.

Researcher

Researcher visa is required where;
⇒the applicant engages in activities to engage in research based on a contract with a public or private organization in Japan (except for the activities listed in the "Professor" section.)

Requirement
⇒The applicant has studied and graduated from a university or other equivalent educational institutions.
⇒Where the applicant will engage in research at the same university or other equivalent educational institutions, s/he needs to have a master’s degree or more than 3 years of researching experience (researching experience at post-graduate degree would be calculated into the 3 years) in the same institution.
⇒Or, the applicant has more than 10 years of researching experience (researching experience at a research institute at a university would be calculated into the 10 years)

Period of Stay

⇒　1 year or 3 years

For further questions and inquiries, please contact us from contact form.

Instructor Visa

Instructor visa is required where;
⇒the applicant engages in activities to engage in language instruction and other education at an elementary school, lower secondary school, upper secondary school, secondary educational school (chugakko), school for special needs education, advanced vocational school (senshugakko), vocational school (kakushugakko) or other educational institution equivalent to a vocational school in facilities and curriculum.

Requirement
⇒the applicant has graduated from a university or other equivalent educational institutions or has relevant teaching qualification
⇁EWhen teaching a foreign language, s/he has been educated in the said language for more than 12 years.
⇁EWhen teaching the other subject, the applicant should have more than 5 years of experience in teaching the subject.

Sending an Employee to a Company in Japan

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