FAQ

This FAQ responds mainly to questions about work permit visas. If you have any other questions or require further information, please feel free to ask.

Q. We are thinking about employing foreign nationals in Japan: how should we proceed with visa applications?

A. To submit for examination of compliance with the status of residence conditions in effect for the work in which the foreign nationals will be engaged, it is necessary to apply to the regional immigration bureau to issue a certificate of eligibility (COE). Once the COE is issued, you send it to the foreign national, and the person makes the application and receives the relevant visa at an overseas diplomatic mission (embassy or consulate); with this visa the employee can land in Japan.

Q. To be transferred to the Japanese head office, what do I need to do to establish a status of residence?

A. When an employee has worked continuously for more than one year in a foreign subsidiary, overseas branch, or other relevant company, the person qualifies for applying to acquire status of residence as an intra-company transferee. As explained in the preceding answer, a COE has to be applied for and issued, then you follow the same procedures as above.

Q. We’re thinking about employing programmers and engineers from overseas but we don’t understand what documents are required or the procedural flow.

A. A person employed in duties that require technology or knowledge pertaining to physical science, engineering, or in the realm of other natural sciences needs to apply for the engineer status of residence. This applies to persons with college diplomas, specialist qualifications, or IT qualifications specified in bulletin, or other qualifications. The company that hires the foreign national has to sign an employment contract and prepare the required documents specified by the relevant ordinances, and apply for and be issued with a COE from the regional immigration bureau and then follow procedures as mentioned above.

Q. My current status of residence qualification of intra-company transferee was granted when I was resident head of the company’s local office, however, now the office has been established as a Japanese corporation, and now I am the representative director and president of this local subsidiary. What do I need to do about my visa?

A. To perform management duties as representative director of the company, you need to change the status of residence to investor / business manager.

Q. We employed a foreign national who had worked for another company with engineer status of residence, and the remaining period of stay is more than two years. Is it OK to let the person work for us?

A. To obtain a commitment to work in your company, you can apply for a certificate of authorized employment from the regional immigration bureau. This application is not strictly required, but it will be proof of permission to change occupation.

Q. We are going to invite an engineer from our overseas business partner to work in a collaborative manner with us for six months; can we apply for an engineer visa? We will pay to the business partner fees for the services consigned.

A. As a basis for determining the residence qualification appropriate for an engineer visa, a contract between the engineer and a public or private organization in Japan is required. According to Japanese labor laws, collaborative working constitutes employment for appointed duties, consequently, if it is arranged so that part of the money paid to the business partner is paid in Japan to the engineer and an employment contract is concluded, the conditions for an engineer visa will be met.

Q. Do you charge for consultation?

A. Initial inquiries by phone or e-mail are free of charge. If the second and subsequent contacts lead to a request for services, you will not be charged consultation fees.

Q. If our company keeps on using your services, is there a discount?

A. If the work is not a single case, a discount is given for ongoing, repeated requests for services.

Q. I made an application on my own and it was turned down. I’m wondering if you could help me in my reapplication.

A. Would you first check why the regional immigration bureau refused permission, so that we can speculate about the outcome of reapplying. If necessary, we can accompany you (for a fee) to the hearing. When we think that there is a possibility of being granted permission by a reapplication that would correct the cause for the refusal, we can support you through the procedures.

Q. I live here on a working visa, but in my home country my parents have reached an advanced age and need looking after. I have heard that there is no such thing as a parent visa, but is there any way for my parents to stay in Japan over the long term?

A. If you do not have other relatives in your home country, chronic diseases of old age may provide humanitarian reasons for granting a designated activities (exceptional) visa. To apply, after your parents come to Japan on a short-stay visa, the next thing to do is to make an application for a change in status of residence.

Q. I am undergoing treatment for a lifestyle disease and, because Japan has the best treatment for this condition, I would like to get treated at a Japanese hospital. Since treatment requires more than three months of hospitalization, how would I go about getting a visa to stay in Japan for that period?

A. To stay in Japan for longer than 90 days to receive treatment in hospital, it is possible to apply for a designated activities (medical stay) visa. Before coming to Japan, the procedures involve first applying for and being issued with a certificate of eligibility (COE), then, after securing a designated activities (medical stay) visa at an overseas Japanese embassy or consulate, you will be allowed to enter Japan.