Japan Work & Long-Stay Visas (2026) | VisaInfoGuide
Visiting Japan for two weeks is one thing. Moving there — even temporarily — is another. Japan's immigration framework is built around sponsorship and purpose. Every long-stay visa is tied to a specific reason to be in Japan — a job, a school, a spouse, a business. You cannot just arrive and figure it out later.
How Japan Long-Stay Visas Work
For stays longer than 90 days, your sponsor in Japan — employer, school, or family member — applies for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) from the Immigration Services Agency of Japan. Once issued (typically 1 to 3 months), the COE is sent to you. You then apply for your visa at the nearest Japanese embassy, submitting the COE with your documents.
Work Visa Types
- Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services — covers software engineers, IT professionals, marketing roles, English teachers at private companies, and translators. Requires a bachelor's degree in a relevant field or 10 years of professional experience.
- Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) — covers 16 designated industries including food service, construction, hospitality, and caregiving. Requires passing a Japanese language test and skills assessment.
- Highly Skilled Professional (HSP) — points-based fast-track for high-earning professionals. Offers a fast path to permanent residency in 1 to 3 years.
- Business Manager Visa — for entrepreneurs. As of October 2025, requires minimum capital of 30 million yen and JLPT N2 language proficiency.
- Digital Nomad Visa — launched 2024. Allows remote workers to live in Japan for up to 6 months. Requires proof of high income (approximately 10 million yen per year) and valid travel insurance.
- Working Holiday Visa — available for citizens of Australia, New Zealand, Canada, UK, Ireland, Germany, France, South Korea, and others. Up to 1 year, age limit typically 18 to 30.
Student and Family Visas
Student Visa: Required for any study program exceeding 90 days. You need an acceptance letter from an accredited institution and proof of financial ability (typically 2 to 3 million yen in savings). Student visa holders can work part-time up to 28 hours per week during term time.
Spouse or Dependent Visa: If you are married to a Japanese citizen or the child of one, you are entitled to a spousal visa. Expect to provide extensive evidence that the relationship is genuine.
Timeline planning: Start the COE process at least 4 to 5 months before your intended arrival in Japan. COE processing takes 1 to 3 months; add visa processing time of about 1 week and your own preparation time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I switch visa categories while inside Japan?
Yes — this is called a change of status of residence and is handled at the local Immigration Services Agency. Common switches include student to work visa for graduating students starting jobs.
Can I apply for permanent residency in Japan?
Yes. Standard permanent residency requires 10 years of continuous residence. The Highly Skilled Professional track can reduce this to 1 to 3 years based on your points score.
Do I need to speak Japanese to get a work visa?
For most work visa categories, Japanese language proficiency is not a legal requirement. The exception is the Business Manager visa, which now mandates JLPT N2 as of October 2025.
Related resources
Matthew Lin
Visa & Travel Writer
Matthew is a seasoned travel writer and visa consultant with over a decade of first-hand experience navigating international travel documentation. He writes to help everyday travelers cut through the confusion and travel with confidence.