When it comes to studying abroad, career development and job options, we often weigh up the working environment and benefits offered by different countries. Amid shifting social attitudes in the post-pandemic era, Japan may emerge as a highly sought-after destination amid this complex decision-making process.

Faced with a growing and severe labour shortage, the Japanese government has expanded its recruitment of foreign nationals. This means more foreign work permits and job opportunities across all sectors became available in 2024. This trend is not short-term; it will continue for a relatively long period into the future.

Therefore, taking this opportunity, we will walk you through the different types of Japan’s Certificates of Eligibility for residence visas.

Student Visa

Studying abroad is one of the primary pathways for young people to go to Japan.

Advantages: Applications are relatively easier. Since January 1, 2015, student visas are no longer limited to older students such as those in high schools and universities. School-age children and teenagers, including primary and secondary school students, are also eligible to apply for student visas to study in Japan.

Disadvantages: As the name suggests, the reason the Japanese government permits your stay in Japan is for 'study'.

The student visa is granted fundamentally for the purpose of 'study', so it is a status of residence with no permission for regular employment. However, to help international students integrate into Japanese society and understand local culture and customs through social practice, they may apply for the Permission to Engage in Activities Outside the Status of Residence. Holders of this permit can take up extra-status activities such as part-time work for a maximum of 28 hours per week.

Skilled Labor Visa

The Skilled Labor Visa is available only for people with specific skills including chefs, sculptors and carpenters.

Advantages: There is no need to bear the high costs of studying abroad. Holders can start working immediately after arriving in Japan and earn a relatively high income.

Disadvantages: Applicants must be employed by a registered Japanese enterprise (e.g., a Japanese restaurant hiring chefs, a construction company hiring carpenters) to be eligible for entry. Without proper channels, the chance of securing such employment remains low.

Specified Skilled Worker Visa

Specified Skilled Worker Visa Type 1 covers a total of 14 sectors, as listed below:

Nursing care, building cleaning, construction, machinery parts and dies manufacturing, industrial machinery manufacturing, electrical, electronics and information industries, shipbuilding and marine engineering, automobile maintenance, aviation, accommodation services, agriculture, fisheries and aquaculture, food and beverage processing, and food service industry.

Three of these sectors, namely 'machinery parts and dies manufacturing', 'industrial machinery manufacturing' and 'electrical, electronics and information industries', were consolidated in May 2022 into one single sector: 'manufacturing related to machinery parts and dies, industrial machinery, electrical, electronics and information technology'.

Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services Visa

This visa category was formed by merging the former 'Engineer Visa' and 'Specialist in Humanities / International Services Visa'. After April 1, 2015, the two were combined under the unified name of the Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services Visa, commonly known as the regular work visa.

Advantages: Generally speaking, this is the final status of residence for most international students in Japan. Obtaining this visa marks the end of their studies and entry into Japan’s workforce. Holders can enjoy the same salary package and working conditions as Japanese nationals.

Disadvantages: Although this visa offers a broader scope of eligible occupations compared to the Skilled Labor Visa mentioned above, various restrictions still apply.

This visa is available to the spouses and children of individuals holding valid long-term residence status in Japan.

Advantages: The application process is relatively straightforward. It enables family reunification, and holders may apply for the Permission to Engage in Activities Outside the Status of Residence. It is a very family-friendly visa category.

Disadvantages: The principal applicant must hold a valid long-term residence visa for Japan, such as the Business Manager Visa or Highly Skilled Professional Visa. Similar to the student visa, holders can only work part-time for up to 28 hours per week.

Spouse of Japanese National or Permanent Resident Visa

。As the name suggests, this visa is available to those who marry a Japanese national or a Japanese permanent resident.

Advantages: There are almost no restrictions. Holders may engage in any lawful activities, making it a visa with a very high degree of freedom. In terms of rights, holders enjoy nearly all the same social rights as Japanese citizens, except the right to vote and stand for election.

Disadvantages: The visa can only be obtained through marriage to a Japanese national or permanent resident. This status will be revoked upon divorce.

Whether the marriage is genuine or a sham, marrying a Japanese national solely for the purpose of moving to Japan may bring an uncomfortable sense of dependence. In Japan, sham marriages between foreigners and Japanese nationals constitute the offence of using falsified notarized documents (family registry originals), which carries criminal liability. If convicted, offenders face imprisonment of up to 5 years or a fine of up to 500,000 Japanese yen. Beyond legal penalties, offenders may be deported, their Spouse of Japanese National or Permanent Resident Visa revoked, and they will find it extremely difficult to enter Japan in the future.

Long-term Resident Visa

People often confuse the Long-term Resident Visa with the Permanent Resident Visa. Although the two visas bear many similarities, they are fundamentally different. Holders of the Long-term Resident Visa are mainly Chinese relatives of Japanese orphans left behind in China after WWII, as well as children from previous marriages of persons remarried to Japanese nationals.

Advantages: There are no restrictions on types of employment or working hours. Holders enjoy almost all social rights equal to Japanese citizens, except the right to vote and stand for election.

Disadvantages: The visa must be renewed at the Immigration Services Agency every three years. In addition, if the person the long-term resident is dependent on loses their residence status, the long-term resident will lose their residence status as well.

Highly Skilled Professional Visa

This visa category was newly introduced in 2015. Simply put, the Highly Skilled Professional Visa is a higher-tier work visa. It was developed by integrating and optimizing previous visa categories for highly educated applicants such as researchers, educators and professors coming to Japan.

Advantages: Once granted, applicants obtain residence status in Japan, paving the way for permanent residency. Holders can join Japan’s social insurance system and enjoy equal national treatment in medical care, childbirth, pension and other benefits. Eligible applicants can apply for Japanese permanent residency in as little as one year.

Disadvantages: Applicants need advanced academic qualifications, professional background, or work experience as corporate executives and must meet corresponding criteria.

Permanent Resident Visa

。Holders of this visa are entitled to permanent residence in Japan. Many applicants obtain other types of visas with the ultimate goal of acquiring Permanent Resident Visa status.

Advantages: Holders enjoy the same social rights and national-level benefits as Japanese citizens, except for the right to vote and stand for election. They can receive highly favourable terms when applying for housing loans or services from any credit institution.

Business Manager Visa

The Immigration Services Agency of Japan established the Japan Investment and Business Manager Visa to encourage foreigners to start businesses and settle in Japan. In April 2015, Japan relaxed restrictions on foreign entrepreneurs to attract overseas investment. The Japan Investment and Business Visa was renamed the Business Manager Visa. Foreign nationals who set up a company in Japan are eligible to apply for this visa. After obtaining the Business Manager Visa, applicants will acquire residence status in Japan, which opens the path to permanent residency or Japanese citizenship.

Advantages: Applicants may apply once they establish a company in Japan and conduct relevant business operations, with a relatively high approval rate. The visa grants residence status in Japan and leads to permanent residency or naturalisation. Meanwhile, foreign investors can join Japan’s social insurance system and enjoy the same benefits as Japanese nationals in medical care, childbirth, pensions and other areas. Holders can renew their visa by meeting required revenue and tax obligations. After residing in Japan for the required number of years, they may apply for permanent residency or naturalisation.