First, understand the system: you get a status, not just a visa
People say "work visa", but in Japan two things are different. The visa is issued by a Japanese embassy so that you can enter. The status of residence (zairyu shikaku) is what you live under after landing, and it defines what you may do. Your residence card shows it.
The Immigration Services Agency (ISA) groups the statuses into three kinds:
- Statuses that allow work, with restrictions: you may work only in the activity of that status (for example, engineer, interpreter, specified skilled worker in a named field)
- Statuses that do not allow work: student, dependent, cultural activities, short-term stay. Part-time work is possible only with separate permission
- Statuses based on personal status, with no restriction: Permanent Resident, Spouse or Child of Japanese National, Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident, and Long-Term Resident. Any lawful job is allowed, including running a business or working under a contract
So the question "how do I get a work visa?" is really "which status fits my background and the job I want?"
The main routes compared
Requirements below are the public criteria of the ISA as checked on 17 October 2026. Each application is still decided individually.
| Route (status) | Who it fits | Key requirements | What you may do | Family |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services | Graduates and experienced professionals | A contract with an organisation in Japan, plus a degree in a related field (or a qualifying Japanese vocational diploma) or 10 years of related experience. For roles based on foreign culture (translation, overseas sales) 3 years of experience, unless you are a university graduate doing translation, interpreting or language teaching | Professional and office work linked to your field. Not simple labour | Spouse and children as Dependent |
| Specified Skilled Worker (i) | People with practical skills in a field short of workers | A skills test for the field plus a Japanese test (JFT-Basic or JLPT N4 or above), and a direct job offer in one of 19 fields | Work in that field only | Basically not allowed. Total stay limited to 5 years (6 with good reason) |
| Specified Skilled Worker (ii) | Experienced workers, often team leaders | A higher skills test and practical experience (in accommodation: leading other staff). Japanese at B1 level required for applications from abroad from 1 April 2027 | Skilled work in one of 11 fields | Spouse and children allowed if requirements are met. Renewals without limit |
| Highly Skilled Professional | High earners, researchers, senior specialists | 70 points or more on the ISA points table (education, career, salary, Japanese, age and more) | The professional activity, with preferential treatment | Allowed. Faster route to permanent residence |
| Business Manager | People starting or running a company in Japan | Since 16 Oct 2025: ¥30 million capital, at least one full-time employee, Japanese B2 (applicant or employee), a master's degree or 3 years of management experience, and a business plan checked by an expert | Running the business | Allowed as Dependent |
| Spouse or Child of Japanese National / of Permanent Resident | People married to a Japanese citizen or a permanent resident | A genuine marriage, shown with documents and an assessment of the relationship | Any work, no restriction | Children can qualify |
| Long-Term Resident | Mainly descendants of Japanese emigrants, certain family cases | Depends on the category the Minister of Justice designates | Any work, no restriction | Depends on the case |
| Student | Language school, vocational school and university students | Admission and proof of funds | Study. With permission, part-time work up to 28 hours a week (8 hours a day in long school holidays) | Depends on the school; check before you enrol |
| Working holiday (Designated Activities) | Young people from partner countries | A bilateral agreement with your country, age limit (usually up to 30) | Holiday, with work to fund the stay | No |
| Digital nomad (Designated Activities) | Remote workers employed or paid from abroad | Personal annual income of ¥10 million or more, a nationality on the eligible list, medical insurance of ¥10 million or more | Remote work for foreign clients or employers only. Not work for Japanese organisations | Spouse and children possible |
Two practical notes. First, a working holiday or student status does not count as a "work status" toward permanent residence. Second, the digital nomad status lasts up to six months and cannot be extended, so it is a way to try living in Japan, not a way to settle.
Which route fits you: a quick self-check
| Your situation | Route to look at first | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| University degree, and a Japanese company wants to hire you for office, IT, sales or international work | Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services | The employer applies for a Certificate of Eligibility for you |
| No degree, but hands-on experience in hotels, restaurants, care, construction, manufacturing or farming | Specified Skilled Worker (i) | Pass the field test and JFT-Basic or JLPT N4, then find an employer |
| Already studying in Japan | Change from Student to a work status after graduation | Match your job to your major; see hotel jobs and visas for one example |
| Married to a Japanese citizen or a permanent resident | Spouse status (no work restriction) | See what the spouse visa lets a couple do |
| Want to open your own shop or company | Business Manager | Check the ¥30 million rule first: Business Manager after October 2025 |
| Earn ¥10 million+ a year working remotely for clients abroad | Digital nomad (6 months) | Check that your nationality is on the ISA list |
| Already living in Japan for many years | Permanent residence | See permanent residency rules from October 2026 |
What it costs: fees from 1 October 2026
The ISA raised its fees for applications received on or after 1 October 2026. Applications received by 30 September 2026 pay the old fee even if they are approved later.
| Permission | Period granted | Counter | Online |
|---|---|---|---|
| Change of status / extension of stay | 3 months or less | ¥10,000 | ¥10,000 |
| Over 3 months up to 6 months | ¥18,000 | ¥15,000 | |
| Over 6 months, under 1 year | ¥25,000 | ¥21,000 | |
| 1 year | ¥33,000 | ¥27,000 | |
| Over 1 year, under 3 years | ¥48,000 | ¥42,000 | |
| 3 years or more, under 5 years | ¥64,000 | ¥56,000 | |
| 5 years or more | ¥75,000 | ¥65,000 | |
| Permanent residence | — | ¥200,000 | — |
Before the change, a change or extension cost ¥6,000 at the counter (¥5,500 online) and permanent residence ¥10,000. Online payments also carry a small settlement charge. Budget for these when you plan a move, because a couple renewing two statuses every year now pays far more than before.
Common mistakes that cost people their plans
- Taking a job outside your status. An Engineer/Humanities holder working as a full-time waiter, or a student working 35 hours a week, risks refusal at the next renewal. Hotels are a good example: front desk work can fit Engineer/Humanities, but restaurant service and cleaning do not
- Believing an agent who "guarantees" a visa. Only the immigration authorities decide. No company, school or recruiter can guarantee approval, and an offer that does is a warning sign
- Planning a business on the old ¥5 million rule. Many online guides still show it. The current requirement is ¥30 million
- Leaving Japan for long periods. For permanent residence, one trip of six months or more, or a total of two and a half years abroad in the last ten, counts against you
Where this site fits in, honestly
This site introduces a recruitment for pair hotel managers: two people run one business hotel together under a management contract, live in a free apartment inside the hotel, and receive a first-year fee of ¥11.5 million or more for the pair (excluding tax). It is a contract to run the hotel, not employment. Visa support: for applicants who meet the requirements of the Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services status, including people living outside Japan, the hiring company supports the visa application (the selection is online, with only the final interview in person). Both members of the pair are checked individually. Our recruitment service does not file visa applications, and only the immigration authorities decide, so no visa is guaranteed.
Permanent residents, spouses of Japanese nationals or permanent residents, and long-term residents can take part without a status change. If you are abroad or hold another status, the route is Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services: if you meet its requirements (see the table above), the hiring company supports the application. Foreign managers and deputy managers already run hotels at about ten locations. Japanese around JLPT N2 is the guideline for daily operations. The adviser checks your status first, free of charge.
If you fit, see jobs in Japan you apply for as a pair and jobs with free housing.