Japan · Work Visa
Work permit categories, eligibility, sponsorship, application steps, and processing times.
Official route — published facts
Read off the responsible authority's own page. Only what it publishes appears here — a field we could not confirm is left out rather than estimated.
- Route
- Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services (技術・人文知識・国際業務)
- Employer sponsorship
- Required — an employer must sponsor or nominate you
- Maximum stay
- 5 years, 3 years, 1 year or 3 months (period granted per application)
- Annual cap
- No published cap found — this is not the same as the route being uncapped.
The employer in Japan applies for a Certificate of Eligibility before the visa itself is applied for at an embassy or consulate.
Official page: Immigration Services Agency of Japan (ISA) ↗ · Read 2026-08
AI-drafted, editorially reviewed. Confirm specifics with the official authority.
Foreigners work in Japan on a status of residence matching the job — most commonly 'Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services'. You usually need a Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) obtained by the employer before applying for the visa. The Immigration Services Agency oversees the system.
Work status and residence are administered by the Immigration Services Agency (under the Ministry of Justice); visas are issued by Japanese embassies after a Certificate of Eligibility is obtained.
- Working in Japan requires an appropriate status of residence matching the job (e.g. Engineer/Specialist in Humanities).
- An employer typically applies for a Certificate of Eligibility before the visa is issued.
- The Highly Skilled Professional system offers preferential treatment by points.
- 1
Secure a job and status of residence
Secure a job with a Japanese employer and identify the correct work status of residence (such as Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services, Highly Skilled Professional, or Specified Skilled Worker).
- 2
Employer applies for a Certificate of Eligibility
The employer (or an agent) applies to the Immigration Services Agency for a Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) on your behalf.
- 3
Apply for the visa at the mission
With the CoE, apply for the work visa at a Japanese embassy or consulate.
- 4
Enter Japan and get your residence card
Enter Japan; you receive a residence card (zairyū card) at the airport.
- 5
Register your address and enrol in insurance
Register your address at the municipal office and enrol in health and pension insurance.
- 6
Renew or change status
Renew the period of stay before it expires, or change status; long-term residents may pursue permanent residence.
- Job offer + correct work status of residence identified
- Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) via the employer
- Work visa application at the mission
- Residence card (zairyū card) on entry
- Address registration at the municipal office
- Health + pension insurance enrolment
- Period-of-stay renewal tracked
- PR pathway considered
- Immigration Services Agency of Japan
Status of residence and immigration.
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs — Visa
Visa issuance at embassies and consulates.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Certificate of Eligibility (CoE)?
The CoE is a document the employer obtains from immigration in Japan confirming you meet the requirements; it makes the visa application at a Japanese consulate much faster.
Do I need a university degree?
Many skilled statuses expect a relevant degree or equivalent experience, though requirements vary by status of residence.
Can I switch jobs on a work visa?
Often yes, if the new job fits your status of residence; a notification to immigration is required, and some changes need a new status.
Government portals
- Prime Minister's Office of Japan — Official site of Japan's Prime Minister — cabinet policies, press conferences, policy statements
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan — Japan visa applications, overseas safety info, consular services, and diplomatic policy
- Immigration Services Agency of Japan — Residence status, work visas, permanent residency, and naturalization in Japan
- National Tax Agency (Japan) — Income tax, corporate tax, consumption tax filing and e-Tax online submission