Work & Visa
Clear guides to Japanese visas and work permits, each linked to official sources and dated when last checked.
6 guides
Visa Guide
Permanent residence removes limits on your work and your period of stay. Usually you need 10 years in Japan, including 5 years on a work or residence status, a clean record, taxes, pension and health insurance paid on time, and a household income at the Japanese average for your household size. From 1 October 2026 the fee is ¥200,000.
Visa Guide
If you live in Japan on a work or study status such as Engineer/Humanities, Student or SSW (ii), your legal spouse and children can join you on the Dependent status. You must be able to support them. They can work up to 28 hours a week with permission.
Visa Guide
The Student status covers universities, colleges, vocational schools and Japanese-language schools. Your school applies for a Certificate of Eligibility, you get the visa at home, and in Japan you can work up to 28 hours a week with permission (8 hours a day in long school holidays).
Visa Guide
This is the most common work visa for graduates: engineering, IT, business, marketing, translation and similar specialist jobs. You need a related degree (or 10 years' experience; 3 years for international-services work), a contract with a Japanese organisation, and pay equal to a Japanese employee.
Visa Guide
Technical Intern Training (TITP) is being replaced. From 1 April 2027, new workers come under Employment for Skill Development (ESD): 3 years of work and training that leads to SSW (i). TITP continues only for trainees already in Japan, or whose plans are applied for by 31 March 2027 and who start by 30 June 2027.
Visa Guide
Specified Skilled Worker (i) lets you work full-time in a labour-shortage field after you pass a skills test and a Japanese test (JFT-Basic or JLPT N4). You can stay up to 5 years in total. SSW (ii) has no total limit, and your spouse and children can join you if you meet the requirements.
