Japan – Work Permits and Working Legally

Do expats need a work permit to work legally in Japan?

Anyone wishing to work legally in Japan must hold a work-related status of residence, commonly referred to as a “Japan work visa.” There is, strictly speaking, no visa category with that precise official name. The Immigration Services Agency of Japan has instead defined 16 distinct visa types for working purposes, each carrying its own permitted activities and eligibility criteria. The entitlement to work is incorporated directly into the residence status itself, rather than being granted through a separately issued permit document.

You are legally obliged to carry out only the type of work specified in your status of residence; performing activities outside those permissions, or working without any appropriate visa, constitutes a criminal offence. Unlike immigration frameworks in which the employee personally submits a permit application to a government labour authority, Japan’s system places the primary burden on the employer. When a Japanese company agrees to sponsor a foreign national, it is committing to manage the official paperwork needed to secure the employee’s work visa. This requires the employer to submit a Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) application on the employee’s behalf, after which the employee presents the approved CoE at a Japanese embassy or consulate in their home country to obtain the visa itself.

Certain residence categories are exempt from this employer-sponsored requirement. Spouses and children of Japanese nationals, spouses of permanent residents, and long-term residents — a category that includes individuals of Japanese descent and Indochinese refugee settlers — all hold statuses granting broader working rights. Once awarded, permanent residence also entitles the holder to unrestricted employment. Dependant visa holders may apply for separate permission to engage in part-time work for up to 28 hours per week. Japan is not party to any free-movement arrangement comparable to the EU’s freedom of movement or the trans-Tasman travel agreement, meaning no foreign national is entitled to work in Japan on the basis of nationality alone without first securing the correct status of residence.

The Digital Nomad Visa allows remote workers from visa-exempt countries that have a bilateral tax treaty with Japan to reside in the country for a maximum of six months without requiring employer sponsorship. However, this visa is strictly limited to individuals working remotely for overseas employers or clients; it does not authorise any form of local employment within Japan.

What types of work permit are available in Japan?

Japan’s working visas span a wide range of professional and vocational activities. Categories including “Professor,” “Business Manager,” and “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services” each cover specific types of work, with their own eligibility criteria and restrictions on permitted job duties. Applicants must select the status of residence that accurately reflects the work they will be undertaking in Japan. The categories most relevant to expatriates are outlined below.

• Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services (EHI): This category accommodates professionals employed in fields such as information technology, engineering, legal services, education, marketing, translation, and international business. Applicants ordinarily need a four-year university degree or around ten or more years of relevant work experience, along with a Japanese employer willing to act as sponsor.
• Highly Skilled Professional (HSP): This points-based visa awards scores based on factors such as academic qualifications, professional experience, annual salary, and age. Candidates must accumulate at least 70 points to qualify. A significant benefit of this route is expedited eligibility for permanent residency, which can be achieved in as little as one to three years.
• Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) — SSW-1 and SSW-2: Introduced through visa reform legislation in 2019, this category was created to address labour shortages in sectors such as care, construction, hospitality, and manufacturing. It covers 16 designated industries. SSW-1 permits residence for up to five years but does not allow the holder to bring family members to Japan. SSW-2, available in 11 of those industries, permits indefinite renewals and allows family accompaniment.
• Intra-Company Transferee: This status is tailored for employees relocating from an overseas branch or parent company to a Japanese affiliate. The individual must have been employed within the same corporate group for at least one year prior to the transfer, making it a practical option for companies undertaking global expansion.
• Business Manager: Obtaining a Business Manager visa requires investing in a Japanese company. As of October 2025, this means minimum capital of at least ¥30 million and the employment of at least one member of staff, together with a credible business plan. Prospective applicants should verify the most current requirements with the Immigration Services Agency of Japan directly, as these criteria were revised substantially in late 2025.
• Working Holiday: Available only to citizens of countries that hold a working holiday agreement with Japan — including Australia, New Zealand, and Canada, among others — this visa is typically valid for up to one year, allowing the holder to both work and travel. It cannot be renewed and does not constitute a direct pathway to permanent residency.
• Digital Nomad Visa: This category allows remote workers from visa-exempt countries with a bilateral tax agreement to remain in Japan for up to six months without local employer sponsorship. Applicants must demonstrate private health insurance coverage and a minimum annual overseas income of JPY 10 million.
• Permanent Residence (PR): Suited to long-term residents who have lived in Japan for at least 10 years (or three to five years under the HSP pathway), applicants must show good conduct, stable income, and a satisfactory record of tax compliance. Permanent residence carries no fixed expiration date and confers full rights to work and access social welfare.

How do you apply for a work permit in Japan, and how long does it take?

Obtaining a Japanese work visa involves two distinct stages: securing a Certificate of Eligibility and then applying for the visa itself. In contrast to systems where the worker manages all permit paperwork independently, Japan places the initial and most critical stage squarely with the employer. From the point of receiving a job offer to actually arriving in Japan, the entire sequence can realistically span several months, making early preparation essential.

1. Secure a job offer from a registered Japanese employer. Sponsoring organisations must be duly registered companies or institutions in Japan, capable of demonstrating stable operations through documentation such as audited financial records, office lease agreements, and a concrete hiring plan.
2. Employer applies for the Certificate of Eligibility (COE). The COE confirms that the applicant satisfies the entry requirements established by the Immigration Services Agency for the relevant working category. The sponsoring employer files the COE application on the employee’s behalf at the appropriate Regional Immigration Bureau, either directly or through an authorised representative such as an immigration lawyer or administrative scrivener.
3. Await COE approval. A decision is typically issued within one to three months. Upon approval, the COE is posted to the employer, who must then forward the original document to the employee overseas — the visa application cannot proceed without it. Delays at this stage are among the most frequently cited obstacles in the overall process.
4. Apply for the work visa at a Japanese embassy or consulate. Once the employee has the Certificate of Eligibility in hand, they submit a visa application to the Japanese embassy or consulate in their country of current residence, along with all required supporting materials. Applicants from certain countries may use Japan’s eVISA platform to apply online and pay by credit card, simplifying the submission process.
5. Receive the visa and travel to Japan. The embassy or consulate typically processes applications within five working days, though applying one to one-and-a-half months ahead of the intended travel date is advisable. Regardless of any validity period shown on the visa itself, entry into Japan must be made within three months of the date specified on the Certificate of Eligibility.
6. Receive your Residence Card on arrival. On entry at major international airports such as Narita, Haneda, or Kansai, immigration authorities issue a Residence Card. This card serves as official proof of residence status and is required for a wide range of administrative procedures in Japan.
7. Register your address at the local municipal office. Within 14 days of arriving in Japan, new residents must register their address at the relevant local authority and receive their Residence Card (Zairyu Card). Failure to meet this deadline can result in legal complications.

The entire process from job offer to arriving in Japan can extend up to six months in some cases. No standard fast-track processing service exists for ordinary work visas, though the Highly Skilled Professional points system is designed to expedite procedures for qualifying applicants. The most common source of delay is the document preparation stage — accuracy consistently matters more than speed when assembling the application package.

What documents do expats need to apply for a work permit in Japan?

Both the applicant and the sponsoring employer must supply documentation during the application process. The precise requirements differ depending on the visa category, so it is important to confirm the specific checklist with the Immigration Services Agency of Japan or the relevant Japanese embassy or consulate before proceeding.

Documents typically required from the applicant:

• Valid passport
• Completed visa application form
• Passport-sized photographs
• Original Certificate of Eligibility (issued to the sponsoring employer and forwarded to the applicant)
• Academic qualifications, university degree certificates, or professional credentials
• Evidence of relevant work experience, such as a curriculum vitae or reference letters from previous employers
• For SSW visa applicants: documentation from the sponsoring employer confirming a skills examination result of 70 points or above, demonstrating the applicant’s requisite competence level

Documents typically required from the employer for the COE application:

• Company registration certificate, tax withholding reports, and recent financial statements
• A signed employment contract or formal offer letter specifying the role, salary, and proposed start date
• Supporting materials demonstrating the company’s legitimate and ongoing business activities
• Evidence that the position satisfies Japan’s immigration requirements and that the applicant holds the qualifications or experience appropriate to that particular role

It is important to understand that a Japanese work visa does not grant the holder the freedom to undertake any type of work. Every status of residence strictly defines the range of permitted activities, and submitting an application under the wrong category can result in refusal or difficulties at renewal. The duties described in employer documentation must correspond precisely to the visa category being sought. Depending on the nature of the role, applicants may also be asked to submit additional supporting materials.

What does a work permit cost in Japan?

Japan’s work visa fees are comparatively modest when set against those of many other countries, though costs arise at multiple points throughout the process and should be planned for by both the employer and the applicant.

Consular visa fees vary by country and application type but generally fall within the range of ¥3,000 to ¥6,000 (roughly $20 to $40 USD as of August 2025). Where a third-party service handles the submission, additional processing charges may apply. Renewal applications at an Immigration Bureau require a ¥4,000 revenue stamp plus modest photo and tax certificate costs; visa stickers obtained through an overseas consulate are priced similarly.

Employer-side costs encompass the administrative work of preparing the COE application, including drafting employment contracts, gathering corporate documentation, and engaging professional representatives where necessary. These costs must be borne by the employer and cannot lawfully be transferred to the employee. Japan’s labour legislation and internationally recognised best-practice standards expressly prohibit employers from charging workers for recruitment or visa sponsorship expenses — any request for the employee to fund their own COE process should be treated as a serious warning sign.

Applicants may also face personal out-of-pocket expenses for professional document translation, notarisation of academic certificates, and, where applicable for specific visa categories, the cost of required medical examinations. Always confirm the current fee schedule with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan or the relevant embassy, as these figures are subject to periodic revision.

Can expats change jobs or employers while on a work permit in Japan?

Whether changing jobs on a Japanese work visa is straightforward depends heavily on which status of residence you hold. Some categories allow a degree of flexibility, while others are tightly linked to a specific employer or sector. Knowing these distinctions thoroughly before accepting a new position or resigning from your current one is strongly advisable.

For most standard work visas, such as those under the Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services category, the status of residence is associated with the role and employer named in the original COE application. Moving to a new employer in the same occupational field may allow you to continue working under your existing visa until renewal, but you are required to notify the Immigration Services Agency of the change. Switching to a job that falls under a different occupational category, however, necessitates a formal application to change your status of residence.

The EHI visa offers more flexibility than some categories: employees can move to a new employer without having to restart the visa application process from scratch, provided the new role falls within the same category of permitted activities. The Highly Skilled Professional visa similarly offers a degree of portability within its defined scope. The Specified Skilled Worker status, by contrast, is tied to both a designated industry sector and a specific employer, making transitions between roles considerably more complicated.

All holders of work visas are required to carry their Residence Card at all times and to update their records when changing either address or employer. If employment comes to an end before the visa expires, it may be possible to apply for a “designated activity” status granting an additional six months in which to seek new employment in Japan. Prompt notification to the Immigration Services Agency of any change in employment circumstances is obligatory — failure to report such changes can constitute a breach of residence conditions.

What are the penalties for working illegally in Japan?

Japan enforces its immigration laws rigorously, and the consequences for those found to be working without proper authorisation — as well as for employers who knowingly facilitate illegal work — can be severe. The penalties in place for both workers and employers are designed to deter the unlawful employment of foreign nationals.

Penalties for workers: A foreign national who engages in activities beyond those authorised by their status of residence, without having obtained the necessary permission, may face imprisonment of up to one year, a fine of up to ¥2,000,000, or both. Where an individual is convicted of such activities and sentenced to imprisonment without labour or a more serious penalty, deportation may also be imposed as an administrative measure. Deportation involves the compulsory removal of the individual from Japan.

Penalties for employers: Companies found to be employing foreign nationals who lack the appropriate status of residence may face imprisonment of up to three years, a fine of up to ¥3 million, or a combination of both. From June 2025, the maximum penalty thresholds were increased to five years’ imprisonment and fines of up to ¥5 million.

Long-term consequences: Allowing a valid visa to lapse without renewal transforms lawful residence into an illegal stay, exposing the worker to deportation and the employer to fines or prosecution. Following deportation or a directed departure from Japan, individuals are generally prohibited from re-entering the country for a specified period. Overstaying or working unlawfully can result in financial penalties of several thousand dollars and, in certain circumstances, re-entry bans lasting up to ten years or imposed indefinitely. Any immigration violation can also materially impair — or permanently foreclose — future applications for long-term visas, permanent residency, or naturalisation in Japan.

Under the Employment Countermeasures Law, employers are required to report the name, residence status, period of permitted stay, and nationality of every non-Japanese national they hire or whose employment they terminate, submitting this information to the relevant public employment security office. Failure to fulfil this reporting obligation is itself a criminal offence.

Where can expats find reliable and up-to-date information on work permits in Japan?

Japan’s immigration regulations, fee schedules, and processing timelines are revised with some regularity. It is therefore essential to consult authoritative official sources rather than relying on commercial third-party websites or online discussion forums. The principal official bodies are listed below.

• Immigration Services Agency of Japan (ISA): Operating under the Ministry of Justice, the ISA is the central authority responsible for overseeing the entry, departure, and residency of foreign nationals in Japan. Its website at www.moj.go.jp/isa provides application forms, procedural guidance, and residence status requirement checklists.
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (MOFA): Work visas are issued by Japanese diplomatic missions overseas under MOFA’s authority, upon presentation of a COE issued by the ISA. MOFA’s visa information pages at mofa.go.jp set out all long-stay and working visa categories available to foreign nationals.
• Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW): For medium-skilled and vocational worker categories, the MHLW and relevant sector ministries play a role in approvals. The MHLW’s guidance on labour standards and working conditions is particularly important for prospective Specified Skilled Worker applicants.
• Japanese embassies and consulates: While the COE application is lodged by the sponsoring employer at a Regional Immigration Bureau in Japan, the visa sticker itself is issued by the Japanese embassy or consulate in the applicant’s country of residence. Employers, educational institutions, and qualifying family members may all serve as sponsors. Each embassy or consulate publishes its own application forms, appointment booking details, and any country-specific requirements on its official website.

When researching Japanese work permit requirements, approach commercial immigration service provider websites with appropriate caution. Although these may provide useful background orientation, fees, income thresholds, and processing timelines are subject to change, and unofficial sources can quickly become outdated. Japan’s visa processes are clearly defined but strictly applied, and recent policy changes mean that requirements continue to evolve. Always confirm specific figures — including applicable fees and salary benchmarks — directly with the ISA, MOFA, or a licensed immigration professional (gyoseishoshi or bengoshi) practising in Japan.

Frequently asked questions

Can I start work in Japan as soon as I arrive on a work visa?

Once your visa has been approved and stamped in your passport, you are entitled to enter Japan and begin employment. On arrival at a major international airport such as Narita or Haneda, you will receive both a landing permit and a Residence Card. You must also register your residential address at your local municipal office within 14 days of arriving in Japan.

Does my employer need a special licence to sponsor my work visa in Japan?

There is no general licensing or registration requirement imposed on sponsoring employers across most visa categories. The sole exception applies to employers taking on foreign nationals under the Specified Skilled Worker status, who must register as members of the relevant industry association with the appropriate supervising authority. For all other visa categories, employers are expected to demonstrate legitimate, financially stable business operations when filing the COE application.

Is there a minimum salary requirement for a Japan work visa?

No official statutory minimum salary is prescribed for most Japanese work visas. However, immigration authorities assess whether the proposed remuneration is broadly comparable to what a Japanese national would receive in an equivalent role. Employers should be prepared to justify compensation levels during the review process. A monthly salary in excess of ¥200,000 is widely referenced as a practical baseline, though applicants should verify current expectations directly with the ISA.

Can dependants of work visa holders work in Japan?

Dependants are not permitted to work in Japan by default. However, eligible family members — including spouses — may apply to the Immigration Bureau for separate authorisation to undertake part-time work. Once that permission is granted, they may work for up to 28 hours per week while remaining compliant with Japanese immigration rules.

How long is a Japan work visa valid for?

Work visa validity periods range from three months to five years, with the specific duration depending on the visa category and the individual applicant’s circumstances. Highly skilled professionals commonly receive longer initial periods. Renewals are available and are typically granted for periods of one to five years. The Specified Skilled Worker SSW-2 status and Permanent Residence may both be renewed on an ongoing basis without a fixed upper limit.

Can I apply for a Japan work visa without a job offer?

In virtually all cases, a job offer from a sponsoring employer in Japan is an absolute prerequisite. The COE process requires a sponsor, and without one, the standard work visa route is inaccessible. The Digital Nomad Visa represents the main exception, as it does not require local sponsorship — however, it expressly prohibits locally-sourced employment and cannot be renewed.

What happens if my work visa application is refused?

Applicants have the option to appeal a refusal or to submit a fresh application, but the underlying reasons for the rejection must be resolved first. Common grounds for refusal include a mismatch between the stated job duties and the visa category applied for, incomplete or inconsistent documentation, or concerns about the employer’s financial standing. Applying under the wrong category or providing inaccurate descriptions of the role can cause delays or outright rejection. Consulting a licensed immigration lawyer in Japan before making a subsequent application is strongly recommended.

Does working illegally in Japan affect future immigration applications?

Yes, the consequences can be both immediate and long-lasting. Undertaking work outside the scope of a permitted activity — particularly where income is received — constitutes grounds for deportation. A deportation record results in a re-entry ban, and any person convicted of a Japanese legal violation and sentenced to one year or more of imprisonment may be permanently refused entry. A history of immigration breaches can severely compromise, or entirely eliminate, future prospects for long-term residency or naturalisation in Japan.