Here’s a clear breakdown of Japanese visa statuses, especially useful for people planning to live, study, or work in Japan:
🛂Japanese Visa Status: Types and Requirements
Japanese visas are categorized based on the activity you’ll do in Japan. Each has its own status of residence (在留資格, zairyū shikaku). Here are the major categories:
1. Main Types of Japanese Visa Status
A. Work-Related Visas (就労ビザ)
These allow you to work in Japan under specific professional categories:
- 技術・人文知識・国際業務 (Engineer/Humanities/International Services) For engineers, interpreters, designers, marketers, and similar roles.
- 技能 (Skilled Labour) For chefs, sports instructors, architecture specialists, etc.
- 企業内転勤 (Intra-Company Transferee)For people transferred from a foreign branch to a Japanese office.
- 高度専門職 (Highly Skilled Professional)For advanced-level professionals with a points-based system.
B. Student & Training Visas
- 留学 (Student Visa) For those enrolled in a university, vocational school, or Japanese language school.
- 研修 (Trainee) / 技能実習 (Technical Intern Training) For technical trainees coming for short- to medium-term training programs.
C. Family-Related Visas
- 日本人の配偶者等 (Spouse or Child of a Japanese National)
- 永住者の配偶者等 (Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident)
- 家族滞在 (Dependent Visa)
For family members of foreign residents working or studying in Japan.
D. Long-Term and Permanent Residency
- 永住者 (Permanent Resident) Requires several years of residency, a clean record, and financial stability.
- 定住者 (Long-Term Resident) Granted under special circumstances, like Nikkei (Japanese descendants) or certain family reasons.
E. Other Types
- 観光 (Tourist Visa / Temporary Visitor) Usually 90 days, not permitted to work.
- 特定技能 (Specified Skilled Worker) For sectors with labour shortages (e.g., nursing care, construction, hospitality).
- 文化活動 (Cultural Activities) For unpaid activities such as Japanese arts study or research.
- Specified Skilled Worker (特定技能 – Tokutei Ginō) – For industries like construction, agriculture, and nursing.