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Types of Working Visas
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Types of Working Visas
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Types of Working Visas
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A Smile on Your Face, a Visa in Your Hand
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Japanese Citizenship
Contrary to popular belief, Japanese citizenship is not some insurmountable peak that only a handful of people can conquer. In fact, the requirements are only slightly more stringent than those of a PR visa. It also comes with significant advantages over the PR visa, such as the right to vote and run for office, and the right to leave Japan for an unlimited number of years (PR holders are limited to 3 years). The main reason why many choose to put off acquiring Japanese citizenship is the requirement for applicants to renounce their previous citizenship(s). The application for Japanese citizenship generally takes 8 months to up to 1.5 years, and the applicant's status of residence must be valid for the entire period, so we strongly recommend starting your application early.
For more information regarding Japanese Citizenship, please contact us for your free consultation.
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Permanent Residence Visa
Often considered the Holy Grail of Japanese visas, the PR Visa is the closest thing to Japanese citizenship and doesn't require you to give up your existing nationality. The processing time for this SOR is understandably very long (4 – 8 months), and your visa status must be valid for entire duration, so we urge PR hopefuls to begin their applications as early as possible.
The PR Visa requires applicants to have lived a certain number of years in Japan (continually). The standard period is 10 years but is shortened considerably for the following visa holders:
Long Term: 5 years
Highly Skilled Professional 70 points: 3 years
Spouse of PR or JP National: 1 year (must be married min. 3 years)
Child of PR of JP National: 1 year
Highly Skilled Professional 80 points: 1 year
As you may have expected, the Permanent Resident Visa has an unusually long list of requirements and documents which can vary greatly based on the applicant’s situation.
For more information regarding the Permanent Residence Visa, please contact us for your free consultation.
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Cultural Activities
If you wish to study or acquire proficiency in Japanese cultural activities, such as calligraphy, Japanese martial arts, Japanese instruments, tea-ceremony etc., this is the visa for you. Please ensure that you have a means of financial support during your studies in Japan (e.g. savings or sponsorship) as this is a non-working visa.
Music: Taiko, shakuhachi, koto, shamisen
Arts and Culture: Calligraphy, doll-making, pottery, flower arrangement, tea ceremony, geisha
Martial Arts: Judo, kendo, aikido, karate, kyudo, jujitsu
For a general list of the basic documents required for the Cultural Activities Visa, please click here.
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*Intern and Domestic Helper fall under Designated Activities Designated Activities Visa
Think of this visa as the “odd one out” or “stop gap” visa. It covers a whole range of activities which seem to share only one common feature: not fitting into other visa categories. As such, although it is technically not classified as a working visa, certain paid jobs and positions (including interns and domestic helpers) are permitted.
The Designated Activities Visa has an unusually long list of requirements and documents which can vary greatly based on the applicant’s situation.
For more information regarding the Designated Activities Visa, please contact us for your free consultation.
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Student Visa
This visa is for students attending academic courses at recognized Japanese educational institutions, such as:
1. 4-year universities and colleges
2. Technical colleges
3. Language schools
4. Art and Design colleges
This visa also covers exchange students and PhDs, and the minimum period is 3 months.
If the course you wish to attend lasts less than 10 weeks, a cultural activity visa is recommended.
For a general list of the basic documents required for the Student Visa, please click here.
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Working Holiday Visa
Presently, Japan has working holiday treaties with the following countries and territories:
Australia, New Zealand, Canada, The Republic of Korea, France, Germany, The United Kingdom, Ireland, Denmark, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Norway, Portugal, Poland, Slovakia, Austria, Hungary, Spain, Argentina, Chile
As the conditions and requirements for the Working Holiday Visa vary depending on your nationality and location, please click on the name of your country above or contact the Japanese embassy in your country for instructions on how to apply for a tourist visa to Japan.
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Tourist Visa
Please click here to find out if you are from a visa-exempt country and what the permitted visa-exempt travel period is.
If you are not from a visa-exempt country, please contact the Japanese embassy in your country for instructions on how to apply for a tourist visa to Japan.
