What Is a Work Visa in Japan?
A Legal Professional Explains Requirements and How to Obtain One

What Is a Work Visa in Japan?

Japan’s work visa system includes multiple residence statuses, each designed for specific types of professional activities.
Because the requirements differ depending on the applicant’s background, job duties, and employer, many people find the system difficult to navigate.

This article provides a clear explanation of
・What a “work visa” is under Japanese immigration law
・How work visas are categorized
・Application requirements
・The general process for obtaining a work visa
・The information is based on practical experience from a law firm specializing in visa applications.

Difference Between a Visa and a Residence Status

Many people use the term “visa” to refer to what is actually a residence status. In many countries, visas and residence statuses are not clearly distinguished, and the type of visa itself indicates the purpose of stay. Japan, however, treats them as separate concepts.

Visa
A visa is an official authorization issued by a Japanese embassy or consulate abroad, confirming that the applicant’s purpose of entry and identity have been reviewed. A visa does not guarantee entry; final permission is granted at immigration inspection upon arrival.

Residence Status
Residence status defines what activities a foreign national is legally allowed to engage in while staying in Japan. While the visa is the “entry permit,” the residence status is the “content” that determines lawful activities during the stay.

Work Visas Required to Work in Japan

The Immigration Services Agency categorizes residence statuses into

・ Work‑related statuses
・Non‑work statuses
・Residence statuses

In this article, “residence status” is referred to as visa, and “work‑related residence statuses” are referred to as work visas.

Japan has 29 visa types, of which 19 are work visas. Foreign nationals who wish to work in Japan must obtain one of these work visas.
Some residence‑based visas also allow employment.

General Requirements for Work Visa Applications

Valid Passport

A valid passport with sufficient remaining validity is required. For Certificate of Eligibility (COE) applications filed while the applicant is abroad, a copy of the photo page is submitted. Naturally, forged passports are not accepted.

Inviting Organization or Local Supporter

The inviting organization is the company in Japan that intends to employ the foreign national.
For most work visas, the employer acts as the inviting organization.

For the Business Manager Visa, the situation differs
・If the applicant will be hired as a manager, the employer is the inviting organization.
・If the applicant will establish a company from abroad, there is no inviting organization.

In such cases, a local supporter in Japan is often needed to assist with
・Office lease contracts
・Capital remittance
・Company registration procedures

Proof of Financial Ability

Applicants must demonstrate the ability to cover
・ Living expenses
・Housing costs
・Return travel expenses

Documents may include
・Bank balance certificates
・Employment contracts
・Salary statements

Health Condition

For the Specified Skilled Worker visa category, the landing requirements ordinance explicitly states that applicants must be in good health. In practice, immigration authorities may request health‑related documents for other work visa categories as well. Maintaining good health is therefore an important factor for ensuring a stable life and employment in Japan.

Additionally, Japan has introduced pre‑entry tuberculosis (TB) screening for certain nationalities. The TB screening system has already begun for applicants from the Philippines, Nepal, and Vietnam.
This policy was introduced in response to the increasing number of TB cases among foreign‑born residents, and the system was officially launched during 2025.

Lawful Stay and Criminal Record

Applicants must disclose any history of
・Overstay
・Illegal employment
・Traffic violations
・Criminal convictions

Immigration reviews all past offenses, regardless of country or time elapsed. A criminal record does not automatically prevent approval, but screening becomes stricter. Consulting a professional is recommended.

Specific Requirements for Major Work Visa Categories

Among employment‑based visas, we will look at the specific application requirements for the two categories that receive the most inquiries: Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services Visa and “Business Manager Visa

Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services (Gijinkoku) Visa

This visa category allows foreign nationals to work in Japan under an employment contract with a Japanese company, engaging in
・Technical / engineering work
・Humanities‑related professional work
・International services that require foreign language or cultural expertise
It is one of the most common work visas and requires that the applicant’s academic background or professional experience be directly related to the job duties.

Business Manager Visa

The Business Manager Visa allows foreign nationals to
・Establish and operate a business in Japan as an owner or representative, or
・Work as a manager or executive (e.g., director, department head) at a Japanese company.
Both entrepreneurs and hired managers fall under this visa category.

Comparison of Requirements: Gijinkoku Visa vs. Business Manager Visa

Below is a structured comparison of the main requirements for both visa categories.

Practical Process: From Company Establishment to Obtaining the Business Manager Visa

Following the regulatory amendment implemented in October 2025, the screening standards for the Business Manager Visa were significantly revised. As a result, the traditional approach—establishing a company and immediately proceeding to the visa application—is no longer feasible in many cases.
Under the new standards, applicants are required to demonstrate:
・A business structure supported by 30 million yen in capital,
・At least three years of experience in business management or administration, and
・The employment of at least one full‑time staff member.
For many applicants, both in Japan and overseas, these requirements represent a substantial burden and typically require a considerable preparation period.
Securing a full‑time employee is particularly challenging for applicants who reside overseas, due to distance, limited access to local information, and practical constraints. This has become one of the most notable hurdles in real‑world practice.
Given these circumstances, the practical and realistic approach after the amendment is to proceed step‑by‑step, moving from company establishment to visa application through a staged process. The following section outlines this updated workflow.

Step 1: Company Establishment (With Available Capital)

Many applicants cannot prepare the full 30 million yen capital required under the new standards at the outset. Therefore, it is common to establish the company first with the capital currently available.
Company establishment is possible even if the representative remains overseas, using short‑term stays to complete necessary procedures.

Step 2: Preparation Period (Short‑Term Stay for Setup)

After establishing the company, applicants typically secure a preparation period to build the business foundation before applying for the visa.

During this period, they work on
・Hiring at least one full‑time employee
・Building an operational structure
・Developing and executing the business plan
・Raising additional capital if needed
・Accumulating business performance (sales, contracts, etc.)

These elements directly affect visa eligibility.

Step 3: Meeting the Requirements (Building the Necessary Structure)

To qualify for the Business Manager Visa, applicants must meet the following

・ A business structure supported by 30 million yen in capital
・At least 3 years of management experience
・At least one full‑time employee
・Documentation proving business feasibility and continuity
・Evidence of actual business operations

Because these requirements cannot be met immediately after company establishment, the previous “establish → apply” model is no longer viable.

Step 4: Applying for the Business Manager Visa

Once all requirements are met, the applicant can proceed with the visa application.

New Standard Flow (Post‑2025 Amendment)
Company Establishment → Business Foundation → Meeting Requirements → Visa Application

This staged process is now the realistic pathway for obtaining the Business Manager Visa.

Applying for Gijinkoku Visa and Business Manager Visa at the Same Time

What “Simultaneous Application” Means

“Simultaneous application” does **not** mean that one person can apply for both visas at once.
Instead, it refers to situations where
・Applicant A applies for the Business Manager Visa
・Applicant B applies for the Gijinkoku Visa to work at A’s newly established company
Both applications can be submitted during the same period.

Applying for Gijinkoku Visa Without Waiting for Business Manager Visa Approval

It is possible to apply for the Gijinkoku Visa without waiting for the Business Manager Visa to be approved. This can shorten the overall processing timeline.

Important Points When Applying Simultaneously

・ Both visas may be approved.
・If the Business Manager Visa is denied, the related Gijinkoku Visa application may also be affected and could be denied.
・If multiple Gijinkoku Visa applicants apply, some may be approved while others are denied.
Applicants should proceed with these risks in mind.

Important Compliance Points for Work Visa Holders

Consistency Between Job Description and Application Documents

For work visa applications, the job description must be fully consistent across all submitted documents.

Immigration examines whether the applicant’s actual duties match the legal definition of the visa category.
The following items must align perfectly
・The “Detailed Description of Activities” section in the visa application form
・The job duties listed in the employment contract or labor conditions notice
・The job description document (not legally required, but practically essential)

Any inconsistency may cause immigration to doubt the authenticity of the applicant’s duties, which can negatively affect screening.

Social Insurance and Labor Insurance Obligations

Foreign nationals with work visas must be enrolled in Japan’s social and labor insurance systems, just like Japanese employees.
“Foreign nationals do not need to join” is incorrect and may negatively affect visa screening.

Social Insurance includes
・Health Insurance
・Employees’ Pension Insurance
・Long‑Term Care Insurance (for ages 40–64)

Labor Insurance includes
・Employment Insurance
・Workers’ Accident Compensation Insurance

Immigration may review whether the employer is properly enrolled and compliant with Japanese law.

Resident Tax Obligations

Foreign nationals living in Japan must pay resident tax.

Immigration often requires
・Taxation Certificate (shows annual income)
・Tax Payment Certificate (shows payment status)
These documents are issued by the municipality where the applicant lived on January 1 of the relevant year.

Important points
・Certificates must show no unpaid tax (except future installments not yet due).
・ Payment status may take several days to update after payment.
・Certificates must be issued within three months of submission.

Certificate of Authorized Employment

A Certificate of Authorized Employment clarifies
・Whether the foreign national is legally allowed to work
・ What types of work are permitted under their residence status

It is issued upon application by the foreign national and helps both employers and employees confirm eligibility. Employers cannot refuse employment solely because the applicant does not have this certificate.

Notifications by the Foreign National (Change of Contracting or Activity Organization)

Foreign nationals must submit a notification within 14 days when
・Their employment contract ends (resignation, termination, company closure)
・They sign a new employment contract
・Their employer changes its name or address
・They change activity organizations (for Business Manager, Professor, Medical Services, etc.)

Different forms exist depending on the visa category
・Contracting Organization Notification Form
(Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services, Highly Skilled Professional, Researcher, Care Worker, Entertainer, Skilled Labor, Specified Skilled Worker)
・Activity Organization Notification Form

(Business Manager, Professor, Highly Skilled Professional (Type H), Legal/Accounting Services, Medical Services, Education, Intra‑Company Transferee, Technical Intern Training, Student, Trainee)

Failure to submit this notification is a legal violation, so it must be handled with care.
If the notification is forgotten or delayed, it may negatively affect the screening process at the time of visa renewal.

Notifications by the Employer

Employers must also submit notifications within 14 days when
・ A foreign employee begins or ends employment
・A foreign employee fails to join after receiving a job offer
・Employment ends for any reason

Notifications cannot be submitted in advance using future dates. If the deadline is missed, employers must submit the notification as soon as possible.

Crime of Promoting Illegal Employment

Illegal employment occurs when a foreign national works in violation of immigration law, such as
・Working while overstaying
・ Working without permission (e.g., students without work authorization)
・ Working beyond permitted hours or outside authorized activities
・ Working in a role not covered by their visa category
The crime of promoting illegal employment applies when
・Employers hire foreign nationals who lack work authorization
・ Individuals assist or facilitate illegal employment
Penalties include
・Up to 3 years imprisonment
・Up to 3 million yen in fines
・Or both
Foreign nationals may also face deportation or entry bans.

Summary

Why Professional Support Is Recommended

Work visa applications involve complex requirements for both employers and applicants.
Key challenges include
・Determining the correct visa category
・Ensuring relevance between background and job duties
・Maintaining perfect consistency across all documents
・Handling cases involving criminal history
・Understanding business feasibility requirements (Business Manager Visa)
Professional support significantly reduces the risk of mistakes and denial.

Full Support for the Step‑by‑Step Process Toward the Business Manager Visa

2Since the October 2025 amendment, the Business Manager Visa requires a staged approach
Company Establishment → Business Foundation → Meeting Requirements → Visa Application

Our firm provides comprehensive support, including
・ Company establishment and optimal structuring
・ Planning the preparation period
・Assistance with hiring full‑time employees
・Support for raising additional capital and building business performance
・Detailed assessment of visa eligibility
・Execution of the Business Manager Visa application
We also assist applicants who are overseas or new to entrepreneurship in Japan, providing actionable plans tailored to their situation.

Visa Application Support Services

First & Tandem Sprint Law Office offers free consultations for foreign nationals seeking assistance with visa matters in Japan. Our support covers the entire process—from proper preparation of application documents to legal guidance and the development of the most effective application strategy.
All members of our team are certified Administrative Scriveners (Gyoseishoshi) and work under the supervision of our attorneys.We are professionals with extensive expertise in visa applications, foreign employee management, labor matters, and contract law.
You can consult us with confidence.

Contacting First & TandemSprint LPC

First & TandemSprint LPC offers free consultations for foreign nationals seeking visas.

Our services include
・ Document preparation
・Legal guidance
・Strategic planning for successful applications
All staff members are certified Administrative Scriveners and work under attorney supervision.

The contents of this article are based on laws and information as of August 2026.
This article is intended for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. We strive to provide accurate information; however, we do not guarantee the accuracy of the contents.

Author: ONO, Tomohiro
Attorney at Law
First & TandemSprint LPC