For businesses looking to hire foreign nationals, and for foreign nationals looking to work in Japan.
The term “work visa” covers a wide range of residence statuses depending on the occupation and employment type. As a registered immigration procedure specialist (gyoseishoshi), our office provides comprehensive support for complex work-related residence status applications, including direct submission to the Immigration Services Agency on your behalf.
Initial consultations are free of charge. Please feel free to get in touch.
What Are Work-Related Residence Statuses?
Among the various “residence statuses” required to live and work in Japan, those that permit employment are collectively referred to as “work-related residence statuses.” The applicable status differs depending on the type of work and job duties, and choosing the correct residence status is the first step toward obtaining approval.
Major Work-Related Residence Statuses
| Residence Status | Eligible Occupations |
|---|---|
| Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services (Gijinkoku) | Engineers, interpreters, designers, sales, planning, accounting, office positions |
| Specified Skilled Worker (Type 1 & Type 2) | 14 sectors including nursing care, food service, construction, agriculture, hospitality, and manufacturing |
| Technical Intern Training | Trainees acquiring vocational skills |
| Highly Skilled Professional | Personnel with advanced academic or specialist expertise |
| Business Manager | Company executives and management personnel |
| Intra-company Transferee | Employees transferring from an overseas affiliated company |
| Entertainer | Theater, music, sports, and similar activities |
| Professor / Researcher | University faculty, researchers |
| Medical Services | Physicians, nurses, and related professionals |
| Instructor | Teachers at junior high schools, high schools, and similar institutions |
| Nursing Care | Holders of the certified care worker (kaigo fukushishi) qualification |
Each residence status has requirements relating to job duties, educational background, and work history. Applying under the wrong status can result in a denial, making it essential to verify eligibility in advance.
3 Reasons Clients Choose Our Office
1. Direct Submission by a Registered Immigration Procedure Specialist
We can submit applications to the Immigration Services Agency directly on behalf of the foreign national or the employing company. There is no need for multiple visits to the immigration office, saving valuable time for your business.
2. Support in 5 Languages
We provide services in Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese. We can communicate smoothly with both foreign national applicants and employing companies in their respective languages.
3. End-to-End Support from Pre-Hire to Ongoing Management
- Pre-hire visa eligibility assessment
- Application for Certificate of Eligibility (for sponsoring candidates from overseas)
- Application for change of residence status
- Application for extension of period of stay
- Future support for transition to permanent residence or naturalization
Do Any of These Concerns Apply to You?
- You want to hire a foreign national but are unsure which residence status applies
- You want to bring a foreign national currently overseas to Japan
- You want to confirm whether a particular job is permitted under the current visa
- A visa renewal is coming up but you are unsure of the process
- A previous application was denied and you want to try again
Application Process
Step 1: Free Consultation
Please contact us by phone or via the inquiry form. We will review your situation and recommend the most appropriate residence status. The initial consultation is free of charge.
Step 2: Required Documents Guidance & Fee Estimate
We will provide you with a list of required documents for your specific application and a quote for our professional fees.
Step 3: Document Preparation
Based on the information provided by the client, our office will prepare the complete set of application documents.
Step 4: Submission to the Immigration Services Agency
As a registered immigration procedure specialist, our office submits the application directly to the Immigration Services Agency. The applicant does not need to appear in person.
Step 5: Review & Decision Notification
The review result is typically notified within 1 to 3 months. If approved, the applicant will receive their residence card and may begin work.
Estimated Timeline & Fees
| Application Type | Government Fee | Estimated Professional Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Application for Certificate of Eligibility | Free | From ¥132,000 |
| Application for Extension of Period of Stay | ¥5,500 | From ¥88,000 |
| Application for Change of Residence Status | ¥5,500 | From ¥132,000 |
※ The fees above are estimates only. For full details, please refer to our fee schedule or book a free consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions About Recruitment & Hiring
Q. Can a foreign national without a university degree still obtain a work-related residence status?
A. Yes. Certain statuses such as Specified Skilled Worker, Technical Intern Training, and Entertainer have no educational requirement. For Gijinkoku, 10 or more years of relevant practical experience may substitute for a degree in some cases.
Q. Can a graduate of a vocational school obtain a work-related residence status?
A. Yes. Graduates holding a “Specialized Diploma” (Senmonshi) or “Advanced Specialized Diploma” (Kodo Senmonshi) from a vocational school are eligible for Gijinkoku. The relevance of the field of study to the job duties is an important factor.
Q. Are there any salary requirements?
A. The general principle is that the salary must be equivalent to or higher than what a Japanese national would receive for the same work.
Questions About the Application Process
Q. What is the process for hiring a foreign national currently living overseas?
A. You will need to file an “Application for Certificate of Eligibility.” Once issued, the certificate is sent to the applicant overseas, who then obtains a visa at the nearest Japanese embassy or consulate before entering Japan.
Q. How long does the process take from application to approval?
A. Approximately 1 to 3 months for a Certificate of Eligibility, and 2 weeks to 2 months for renewals or changes of status.
Q. What happens if the application is denied?
A. We will review the reasons for the denial together with you and explore the possibility of reapplication.
Questions After Employment
Q. Does a company have any reporting obligations after hiring a foreign national?
A. Yes. Upon commencement of employment, companies are required to submit a “Notification of Foreign National Employment Status” to Hello Work (Public Employment Security Office). The same notification is required upon separation from employment.
Q. What should be done when a foreign national employee resigns?
A. The foreign national must submit a “Notification Regarding the Contracting Organization” to the immigration authorities within 14 days of resignation. If they remain unemployed for 3 months or more, their residence status may be subject to revocation.
Related Visas & Services
- Technical Intern Training
- Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services (Gijinkoku)
- Highly Skilled Professional
- Residence Status: Business Manager
- Permanent Residence Application
Contact Us
For inquiries regarding work-related residence statuses and foreign national employment, please contact us by phone or via the inquiry form. Initial consultations are free of charge.
📞 06-6949-8756 Business hours: Weekdays 9:00–17:00 (Thursday 9:00–13:00) Inquiry Form →