All Japan Visas

Complete catalog of all 25 visa types available

Easy

Temporary Visitor

For tourism, visiting relatives, short business trips, or transit.

Duration: Up to 90 days (visa-exempt nationalities) or per visa stamp
Work: None (no employment allowed)
Process: Immediate for visa-waiver entries; 1-2 weeks if visa required
Easy

Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/Int'l Services

For skilled professionals in fields like IT, engineering, finance, humanities, marketing, etc.

Duration: 1, 3 or 5 years (renewable)
Work: Full-time work in the sponsored field (may change jobs within same field)
Process: 1-3 months for Certificate of Eligibility, then a few days for visa issuance
Easy

Intra-company Transferee

For employees sent from an overseas branch to a Japan office of the same company or corporate group.

Duration: 1, 3 or 5 years (renewable)
Work: Work only at the specified company and in roles as approved (no outside work)
Process: 1-3 months for COE, then visa processing
Easy

Instructor

For foreign-language teachers and certain instructors at elementary, junior high, high schools, or other educational institutions (excluding universities).

Duration: 1 or 3 years (renewable)
Work: Teach at the designated school(s); other paid work requires separate permission
Process: 1-2 months for COE/visa
Easy

Professor

For academics engaging in research and teaching at universities or equivalent higher education institutions.

Duration: 1, 3 or 5 years (renewable)
Work: Teaching and research activities at the specified institution; other work would need permission
Process: 1-3 months for COE/visa
Easy

Specified Skilled Worker (i)

For foreign workers in designated industries facing labor shortages (entry-level skilled work). See fields below.

Duration: Renewable up to 5 years total (in increments of 6 months to 1 year)
Work: Work only in the specific industry and job role of sponsorship
Process: 1-3 months for COE/visa (varies by country and scheme)
Easy

Specified Skilled Worker (ii)

For advanced skilled workers in industries with SSW(ii) eligibility (see fields). Allows longer-term stay and family accompaniment.

Duration: 1, 3 or 5 years (indefinitely renewable with no total limit)
Work: Work in the designated SSW(ii)-eligible industry/role
Process: 1-3 months for COE/visa approval
Easy

Artist

For professional artists (musicians, painters, writers, etc.) pursuing paid artistic work in Japan.

Duration: 3 months, 1 year or 3 years (renewable)
Work: Engage in the specified artistic activities (creating art, performances, etc.) for which the visa is granted
Process: 1-3 months
Easy

Journalist

For foreign correspondents and reporters working for overseas media organizations in Japan.

Duration: 1, 3 or 5 years (renewable)
Work: News gathering and reporting activities for the contracted foreign media. (Not allowed to take unrelated jobs.)
Process: 1-2 months
Moderate

Medical Services

For foreign medical professionals (physicians, dentists, nurses, etc.) practicing in Japan.

Duration: 1, 3 or 5 years (renewable)
Work: Practice the licensed medical profession at the designated institution
Process: 2-4 months (often longer due to licensing process)
Easy

Entertainer

For performers, musicians, actors, models, athletes and other entertainment industry professionals coming to Japan for work.

Duration: 15 days, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year or 3 years (depending on the engagement; renewable if long-term)
Work: Restricted to the specific performances or activities outlined in the contract (no unrelated work)
Process: 1-3 months (shorter for brief performance visas)
Moderate

Business Manager

For entrepreneurs, investors, and company managers establishing or running a business in Japan.

Duration: 1, 3 or 5 years (renewable)
Work: Manage and operate the business specified. Cannot take unrelated employment outside the business.
Process: 2-4 months for COE/visa (can vary depending on business setup)
Moderate

Highly Skilled Professional (HSP)

A fast-track work visa for top talent, assessed via a points-based system rewarding education, experience, salary, and achievements.

Duration: 5 years (max duration given up-front; renewable or can transition to PR quickly)
Work: Flexible – can engage in multiple approved activities as long as they align with HSP categories.
Process: 1-2 months (HSP applications are often fast-tracked)
Easy

J-Find (Future Creation Individual)

Designated Activities program for recent graduates of top-100 global universities to job-hunt or prepare a startup in Japan.

Duration: Up to 2 years (typically in 6–12 month increments)
Work: Permitted to work to support job-hunting or business preparation activities
Process: 1-2 months
Easy

Digital Nomad

A 6-month visa for remote workers employed overseas or freelancing for overseas clients, allowing a short-term stay in Japan while working remotely.

Duration: 6 months (non-extendable)
Work: Remote work for overseas employer/clients only (no Japanese clients/employers)
Process: 2-4 weeks
Easy

Student

For students enrolled in Japanese universities, colleges, language schools, or vocational schools for full-time education.

Duration: 6 months up to 4 years (extendable until graduation)
Work: Part-time up to 28 hours/week with work permit (no full-time employment while studying)
Process: 1-3 months for COE, then visa issuance
Easy

Spouse/Child of Japanese National

For foreign spouses or dependent children of Japanese citizens.

Duration: 1, 3 or 5 years (renewable)
Work: Unlimited – can work in any profession or not work
Process: 1-2 months
Easy

Spouse/Child of Permanent Resident

For foreign spouses or children of a foreign national who holds Permanent Resident status in Japan.

Duration: 1, 3 or 5 years (renewable)
Work: Unlimited – no restrictions on type of work or industry
Process: 1-2 months
Easy

Dependent

For the spouse and minor children of foreign nationals residing in Japan under a work/study visa.

Duration: Usually matches the sponsor’s period of stay (up to 5 years, renewable)
Work: Part-time up to 28 hours/week with permission (no full-time work)
Process: 1-2 months
Easy

Working Holiday

A mutual cultural exchange visa for young people (usually 18–30) from partner countries to travel and work in Japan for up to one year.

Duration: Generally 1 year (some programs 6 + 6 months)
Work: Broad, casual work permitted (except in adult entertainment/nightlife sectors)
Process: 2-4 weeks (varies by embassy/consulate)
Moderate

Permanent Resident

An indefinite residence status allowing the holder to live and work in Japan with no time limit or activity restrictions.

Duration: Indefinite (re-entry permit needed if leaving Japan > 1 year)
Work: Unrestricted – any lawful activity or employment
Process: 4-12 months (varies by case/region)
Easy

Cultural Activities

For those coming to Japan to engage in unpaid cultural or artistic activities, or to study Japanese culture in a non-degree capacity.

Duration: 3, 6 months or 1 year initially (often extendable up to ~3 years)
Work: None – paid work is not allowed
Process: 1-2 months
Easy

Designated Activities

A flexible category for specific activities designated by the government that don’t fit other visa types. Each sub-type has its own terms.

Duration: Varies by sub-type (e.g., 6 months, 1 year, up to 5 years in certain cases)
Work: Varies by sub-type (some allow full-time, some part-time, some none)
Process: 1-3 months
Easy

Religious Activities

For foreign religious missionaries or clergy engaged in religious work in Japan, sent by a foreign religious organization.

Duration: 1, 3 or 5 years (renewable)
Work: Limited to religious/missionary work (no secular employment)
Process: 1-2 months
Easy

Long-Term Resident

Special permission for individuals granted residence due to specific circumstances (e.g., persons of Japanese descent up to 3rd generation, certain humanitarian cases).

Duration: Typically 1, 3 or 5 years (renewable)
Work: Unrestricted – can work in any field
Process: 2-6 months