Work permit visa

In the Immigration Act, because the activities of foreign nationals are regulated by the status of residence system, foreign nationals can do only activities permitted within the scope of their status of residence (visa).

For foreign nationals who want to enter Japan, the purpose of that entry (residence) must fall under one of the statuses of residence specified in the Immigration Act, and a certificate of eligibility (COE) is a document to prove that you have already been authorized by the Minister of Justice; for someone to be employed in Japan, this document is acquired and an application is made for the appropriate work permit visa at an overseas diplomatic mission (embassy or consulate).

When an authorized application is made, documentation must be submitted to prove that the purpose of entering the country complies with a status of residence as laid down in the Immigration Act (specified by Ministry of Justice ordinance).

As professionals with expert and current knowledge of the Immigration Act, ordinances, and bulletin, we are able to promptly and accurately inform you of which documents are required and, in most cases our clients receive a COE issued after a minimum screening period.

After entering Japan on a work permit visa, you may need to extend your status of residence, change your status of residence, or apply for a re-entry permit, and for any type of application during your residence in Japan, we provide a prompt and accurate response.

There are a total of 16 types of work permit visa (residence status) including investor / business manager, intra-company transferee, engineer, specialist in humanities / international services, skilled labor, and cultural activities. The most common types of work permit visa acquired by foreign nationals are listed below.

• Investor / business manager – agency management, administrative work, etc.
• Intra-company transferee – transfer from overseas headquarters or branch, etc. to work in Japan
• Specialist in humanities / international services – engage in work such as sales, purchasing, finance, or translation/interpreting that involves humanities or international service expertise
• Engineer – engaged in technical work such as systems engineering or mechanical design engineering
• Skilled labor – engaged in work, such as cooking foreign food, that requires experience and expertise

Since details and criteria of status of residence are stipulated in the Immigration Act, ordinances, and bulletin, according to which eligibility for and conformity to a status of residence are evaluated, it is important to collect the necessary documents that comply with current laws and regulations. In practice, the items listed below are typically examined.

• The applicant’s employment history, education, and evidence of the stability, ongoing viability, profitability, and justification of hiring at the employing company, etc.
• Whether or not the applicant has the skill and competence (education, job experience, IT qualifications, etc.) to carry out his or her duties
• Remuneration of the applicant