Work visas in Japan: An employer’s guide

Keeping up with Japan's complex regulations around work visas and permits can be daunting for employers. Japanese law requires that employers obtain the appropriate work visa before hiring a non-citizen to perform any type of paid labor in Japan .

This can be complicated and time-consuming, so businesses need to understand their legal obligations ahead of time. Failure to comply with immigration laws in Japan can lead to the employer facing fines, penalties, or legal disputes.

That's why it's useful to have an expert partner on board while managing the Japan work visa application process for international employees . A global HR service like Remote can help you hire or relocate employees in Japan quickly and compliantly.

In this guide, we'll explain the basics of visa application process in Japan, the various steps you need to take to acquire a Japan work visa, and how you can use an EOR to make the process smooth and seamless.

Work visas in Japan: why it matters

In Japan specifically, working on tourist visas can often be illegal — governments are starting to enforce this legislation more as remote work becomes increasingly popular with digital nomads . While working remotely in Japan, you may need additional documents such as resident paperwork to prove your authorization to work in the country.

If caught without having adequately complied with laws regarding permits and employment-related activity, then employers could potentially face hefty fines or even jail time, depending upon national jurisdictions.

Employers thus need to stay vigilant and make sure they ensure ongoing compliance with immigration laws and regulations in Japan.

What are the eligibility requirements for a work visa in Japan?

Foreign workers must obtain a Certificate of Eligibility from Japan's Ministry of Justice to get a valid work visa. This certification stands as evidence that an individual has the legal capacity to stay in Japan due to employment, family matters, or another legitimate reason.

You will need this document when applying for the visa itself, so it must be secured before beginning the procedure. The application process may differ depending on which kind of permit needs to be acquired.

To get a Certificate of Eligibility, you will need to submit an application to the Immigration Services Agency of Japan on the employee's behalf.

Once you have acquired the Certificate of Eligibility, you must send it to your employee, who can then begin the work visa application process.

What are the long-stay visa types in Japan?

Some long-term visa types in Japan come with longer stays by default:

Each visa type has its own specific eligibility criteria based on relevant factors, such as your employee's role, experience, and background.

• Work visa: This long-term visa type is for anyone entering the country to do a job, normally requiring an employment permit. Japan offers several categories of work visas depending on the type of employment. Common categories include visas for highly skilled professionals, engineers, researchers, business managers, and language instructors. Each category has its own eligibility requirements and conditions for renewal. Choosing the correct visa category is the first step toward legally working and residing in Japan.
• General visa: This visa is designed for mid- to long-term stays (longer than 90 days) and usually requires sponsorship or a clear purpose like study, training, or cultural engagement.
• Highly skilled professional visa: This visa type is for individuals who possess skills and qualifications that are highly in demand. It lasts for five years. Note that the entry requirements for this visa depend on a range of factors, such as salary, experience, and your team member's nationality.
• Specified visa: A more specific long-stay residency that applies only when doing certain activities like research, study abroad programs, and the like. You also need extra paperwork from the relevant organizations related to your field or industry upon application approval before taking up residence within the country via this visa.
• Start-up visa: This is an attractive incentive, especially for those wanting to set up their own company in Japan. It allows widespread access into any industry space instead of just one sector specified under other visa types. This visa comes with access to grants, subsidies, asset guarantees, and opportunity prospects while residing within Japan's borders.
• Intra-company transferee visa: This is for employees who are transferring from overseas to the Japanese branch of your company. It may be ideal if you are looking to relocate an existing employee.
  
  

You can see a full list of valid working visas for foreign workers on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) website.

Residence card requirements in Japan

When granted a work visa, foreign nationals also receive a Residence Card (Zairyu Card) upon arrival in Japan. This card is an official form of identification that confirms visa status, work eligibility, and length of stay. Employees must carry their residence card at all times and update it when changing address or employer. Employers are responsible for ensuring that foreign staff maintain a valid residence card to remain compliant with Japanese immigration laws.

How to apply for a Japan work visa?

Once you've acquired the Certificate of Eligibility and identified the most suitable visa to apply for, your team member can begin the application process.

To do this, they must apply to the Japanese embassy or consulate in their current country of residence. The application should consist of the following documents:

• The Certificate of Eligibility
• A completed visa application form
• Passport and photocopies
• Passport photos
• The employment contract (and any other supporting documents)
• Any relevant qualification certificates
  
  

Your team member may also be requested to submit additional documents, depending on their role.

Who needs a work authorization check in Japan?

Japanese citizens are, by default, eligible to work in Japan (even if they currently live abroad), as are:

• Permanent residents
• Long-term residents
• Spouses or children of Japanese citizens
• Spouses or children of Japanese permanent residents
  
  

If your team member is not any of the above, then they will need to acquire a valid work permit.

Remote is devoted to making the work permit process for employees moving to Japan as straightforward and quick as possible. All paperwork can be managed electronically via our online platform and shared securely with HR teams or third parties if need be. We perform a comprehensive examination of an employee's rights and qualifications, issuing permission swiftly when they meet the criteria set by local regulations.

Do non-citizens need a working visa in Japan?

Anyone from overseas planning to work in Japan must fulfill the requirements of its immigration laws and regulations. The most common way is for foreign nationals to obtain a points-based visa or apply for one related to their industry.

In either case, you need an employer based in Japan that sponsors and supports your application for a work permit. This could be challenging if it's your first time entering the Japanese market.

Does Japan offer a digital nomad visa?

In April 2024, Japan introduced a Digital Nomad Visa for remote workers earning at least ten million yen annually. This visa allows eligible individuals to work remotely in Japan for up to six months, after which they must wait another six months to reapply. It offers a valuable opportunity for professionals to experience Japan while continuing their remote work.

Check out Japan's Immigration Services Agency for more information.

To work in Japan, you will need a sponsor — usually your employer. This person has to submit a Certificate of Eligibility application (as explained above) to the local immigration office on your behalf. Unfortunately, it could take up to three months until the certificate is approved and valid for another three months.

The sponsoring company also needs several items ready before they apply:

• Letters of guarantee
• Invitations issued specifically for potential employees
• An applicant list designating who is being considered as well as important details about their business operations in Japan
• An itinerary containing specific dates for the applicant's stay in Japan

Depending on which type of visa you are applying for, the documents needed may vary. Once all relevant documents have been collected, the sponsor can then submit their formal application at an appropriate immigration office or embassy abroad.

Instead of handling all the administrative work yourself, why not save yourself the hassle and let Remote sponsor the employee's Japan work visa for you? Remote's relocation services can make the process of employee work visa sponsorship seamless.

Why use an employer of record to hire in Japan?

Even if employees are eligible to work in Japan, your company must be able to compliantly hire and pay them in Japan. So, you either have to open your own legal entity in the country or use an EOR to hire team members for you.

Save yourself time and effort by relying on a reliable EOR to do the hard work for you. Learn more about how international hiring can become simple if you use an EOR.

Navigating visas and work permits in Japan with Remote

Sorting out relevant work permits and staying compliant with immigration laws in Japan while hiring in the country is no mean feat. And, as you can see, there's a lot of administrative work involved. Not to mention, there are compliance and permanent establishment risks that can land you in trouble.

As well as helping you manage the team's onboarding, taxes, benefits , and payroll in Japan, Remote can support you with the employees' relocation process. Our comprehensive relocation services cover:

• Visa guidance and sponsorship
• Local immigration and tax guidance
• Relocation and settling-in assistance
• Ongoing compliance with labor laws and tax regulations.
  
  

Download Remote's Relocation Guide for insights on how you can successfully relocate members of your team. Or book a consultation with our team to get the process moving today.