Japan
Explore Japan visa types and immigration requirements.
19 visa types · 11 guides · 10 forms
Immigration to Japan — at a glance
Japan's immigration system is administered by the Immigration Services Agency (ISA, an external bureau of the Ministry of Justice) and operates around a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) workflow. For almost every long-stay route — work, study, family, business — a sponsor in Japan first applies to the local Regional Immigration Bureau for a COE, and only then does the applicant take the COE to a Japanese consulate abroad to convert it into a visa. The COE step usually takes longer than the visa stamp, and most refusals happen at this stage.
Most foreign workers fall under one of the three salaried-employee Status of Residence categories: Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services (the most common); Highly Skilled Professional (HSP), an 80-point system that opens up a fast-track to permanent residence; and Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) in industries with documented labour shortages. Students enter on a Student status with university-issued COEs; spouses of Japanese nationals or permanent residents fall under Spouse or Child of Japanese National. Each status has its own permitted activity scope, and changing scope outside the permission requires either a status-of-residence change or an Activity Outside Status authorisation.
Japan stands out for two reasons. First, almost every administrative step inside Japan is tied to a Residence Card (Zairyū card), issued at the airport on arrival for stays longer than three months. Second, the Highly Skilled Professional system rewards high-income, English-speaking, and STEM-credentialed applicants with Permanent Residence in as little as 1 year (J-Skip route, introduced 2023) or 3 years on the standard HSP track. The guides in this hub focus on the COE evidence, point-test optimisation, and city-level address-registration steps that most influence outcomes.
Each route hinges on a sponsor in Japan filing a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) with the Regional Immigration Bureau before any consular visa can be stamped. The COE step is where most refusals happen, not at the visa stage; once the COE is issued, the consular interview is largely a verification step. After arrival, every long-stay foreigner must register their address at the city or ward office (shiyakusho or kuyakusho) within 14 days, enrol in National Health Insurance, and obtain a My Number tax ID — the My Number is now required for most employer onboarding, bank account opening, and tax filings.
Main pathways into Japan
Pick your route by purpose: short-term tourism (visa-exempt or single-entry visa), employer-sponsored work, study, family, or HSP / J-Skip / J-Find for high-skilled and recent graduate talent. The COE process is the same regardless of route, but the evidence varies dramatically by status of residence.
- Short-Term Stay visa90-day visit for tourism or short business; many nationalities are visa-exempt under the visa-waiver list.
- Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International ServicesMost common employer-sponsored work status; degree-relevant role required.
- Highly Skilled Professional (HSP) — Activities A/B/C80-point status with fast-track PR and dependent advantages.
- J-Skip (Special HSP)Income-based gate (≥¥20M/yr or ¥40M with academic role); PR in as little as 1 year.
- J-FindUp to 2 years of job-search residence for graduates of top-200 global universities.
- Student visaFor full-time enrolment at a recognised institution; allows up to 28h/week of part-time work.
Key facts about Japan immigration
Quick reference for the agencies, currencies, and rules that govern most applications.
As of
Issuing authority
Immigration Services Agency of Japan (ISA), Ministry of Justice
Currency
JPY (¥)
COE / visa workflow
Sponsor files COE in Japan → consulate issues visa abroad → Residence Card on arrival.
Typical work-permit COE processing
1–3 months at most Regional Immigration Bureaus
Residence Card
Issued at airport on entry; replaces older Alien Registration Card.
Permanent residence
10 years standard; 3 years on HSP; 1–3 years on J-Skip.
Citizenship
Generally 5 years of continuous residence; dual citizenship not officially permitted.
Typical fees and processing windows (Japan)
Indicative ranges drawn from official authority pages. Confirm the exact figures on the agency website before applying.
As of
| Pathway | Typical fee | Typical processing |
|---|---|---|
| Short-Term Stay visa | ¥3,000 single-entry; ¥6,000 multiple-entry | 5 business days standard at most posts |
| COE — Engineer / Specialist in Humanities | Free during the COE application; visa stamping fee at consulate | 1–3 months at the Regional Immigration Bureau |
| COE — Highly Skilled Professional | Free; ¥4,000 visa stamp | 1–3 months; HSP applications often prioritised |
| Student visa COE | Free during COE; ¥3,000 single-entry visa fee | 1–2 months from school sponsor to COE issuance |
| Permanent residence application | ¥8,000 | 4–12 months typical from filing |
Start with your goal
Choose what you want to do in Japan and get a tailored guide.
Explore visa types
19 visa types with step-by-step guides, requirements, and official sources.
Which Japanese route fits your situation?
Pick the situation that best matches you to see the most common starting point in Japan.
Situation 1
I have a Japanese employer offering a degree-relevant role.
Most candidates qualify for the Engineer / Specialist in Humanities status. Run an HSP point check first — if you reach 70+ points, apply under HSP for a longer initial stay and the 3-year PR track.
Situation 2
I earn ¥20M+ and want a 1-year fast track to permanent residence.
Apply through the J-Skip Special HSP route. Confirm your annual income passes the threshold and that your role/employer documents support a "Highly Specialised Professional" classification.
Situation 3
I just graduated from a top-200 global university and want time to job-hunt in Japan.
Use the J-Find route for up to 2 years of residence while you search. Convert to an HSP or Engineer / Specialist status once you have an offer.
Situation 4
I am admitted to a Japanese language school or university.
Apply for a Student visa with a school-issued COE. Plan for the 28-hour weekly part-time work limit and budget for tuition payment ahead of arrival.
Situation 5
I am the spouse of a Japanese national or permanent resident.
Apply for the Spouse or Child of Japanese National status, which allows full work and shortens the path to PR. Marriage certificate and proof of cohabitation are the central evidence.
Recent Japan immigration updates
Editorial summaries of policy changes our team has tracked. Always confirm details with the relevant agency before submitting an application.
Online residence permit application expanded
ISA expanded its online portal to accept renewals and changes for additional Status of Residence categories, reducing the need for in-person Regional Immigration Bureau visits.
Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) industry list grew
Cabinet decisions added road-passenger transport, rail, forestry, and timber to SSW categories, raising the total number of qualifying industries.
Japan immigration FAQ
The questions readers ask most about applying to live, work, study, and visit Japan.
What is a Certificate of Eligibility (COE)?
The COE is a pre-issued document from the Japanese Immigration Services Agency confirming that an applicant meets the requirements for a particular Status of Residence. The applicant's sponsor in Japan (employer, university, or family member) files the COE application; once issued, the COE is sent to the applicant abroad, who then applies for the visa stamp at a Japanese consulate. Most refusals happen at the COE stage, not at the visa stage.
How does the Highly Skilled Professional points system work?
HSP scores points across academic background, professional experience, age, salary, Japanese language ability, university quality, and research achievements. Reaching 70 points unlocks the HSP status of residence with multiple advantages: a longer initial period of stay, multiple permitted activities, dependent work permission, and PR eligibility after 3 years. Reaching 80 points cuts that to 1 year on the standard track and ties into the J-Skip route.
What is J-Skip and J-Find?
J-Skip is a fast-track route for very high-skilled / high-income workers (annual income ≥¥20M or ≥¥40M with an academic background and relevant work experience). J-Find is a job-search route giving up to 2 years of residence to recent graduates from top-200 global universities. Both were introduced in April 2023 to attract globally mobile talent.
Can my spouse work on my Japan work visa?
Most spouses of Engineer / Specialist visa holders enter on a Dependant status, which does not by default allow work. To work, your spouse must apply for an Activity Outside Status permission, which limits work to 28 hours per week. By contrast, HSP-A/B/C dependants can work full-time once they have applied for a Designated Activities permission, and HSP holders can also bring parents in some circumstances.
How long until I qualify for permanent residence in Japan?
Standard permanent residence requires 10 continuous years of residence with at least 5 years on a work or stable status. The HSP fast-track shortens this to 3 years, and J-Skip applicants with sufficient income can qualify in 1 year. Spouses of Japanese nationals/PRs typically qualify after 3 years of marriage and 1 year of residence in Japan.
Do I need to register my address?
Yes. Within 14 days of moving in to a Japanese residence, you must register at the local city or ward office (shiyakusho or kuyakusho). The address is recorded on your Residence Card and links you to national health insurance, the My Number tax ID system, and pension enrolment.
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