Work Visa - Japan

Long-stay employment visas sponsored by a Japanese employer.

Purpose & who it’s for

Residence for foreign nationals sponsored by a Japanese employer to perform professional work (engineers, IT, researchers, teachers, skilled trades, ICT transferees, business managers, etc.).

Main sub-categories

Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services
Skilled Labor (chefs, construction specialists, craft professions)
Intra-Company Transferee
Business Manager (founding or running a company)
Professor, Researcher, Medical/Legal professions (regulated roles require credential checks)

Key requirement: Certificate of Eligibility (COE)

Most work visas require a COE issued by Japanese immigration before applying for a visa; the employer/sponsor typically files the COE on the applicant’s behalf.

Documents requirements

Signed employment contract or appointment letter with role, salary, start date.
Employer letter confirming COE sponsorship.
Passport and recent photos.
Academic certificates, professional licenses, CV, recommendation letters.
Police clearance and health checks if requested.
Company documents where relevant (registration, financials, office lease for Business Manager/ICT).

Processing & timeline

Employer applies for COE → after issuance, apply for visa at consulate.
Upon entry, receive residence card at the airport or local office.
COE processing may take weeks to a few months depending on case and workload.

Duration & renewal

Typical validity: 1, 3, or 5 years depending on job, contract, and sponsor.
Renewable before expiry if employment continues and conditions persist.

Work rights & family

Work for the sponsoring employer in the authorized role.
Spouse/children may qualify for Dependent visas; rules vary by category.

Changing jobs & status

Changing employer usually requires notifying immigration and sometimes a new COE/approval, especially if the role category changes.
Switching can be smoother if the new role matches the current status of residence.