Detailed Explanation of All 16 Types of Visas

A visa is an “entry permit” issued by the destination country. The type of visa varies depending on the purpose of entry, and obtaining a work visa is necessary for working abroad.

In Japan, there are 16 types of work visas in total, and foreign workers are allowed to engage in activities related to the visa they have obtained.

🎯 What is a Work Visa?

Among the residence statuses required for foreigners to stay in Japan, a work visa is applied for when employment or long-term stay is necessary.

📋 All 16 Types of Work Visas Explained

There are a total of 16 types of work visas. Below, we will introduce each type along with examples of industries and typical durations of stay.

1Professor

This visa can be obtained to conduct teaching and educational activities at universities, vocational schools, and other educational institutions in Japan.

📅 Period of Stay: 5 years, 3 years, 1 year, or 3 months

👨‍🏫 University Professor
👩‍🏫 Associate Professor
🎓 Researcher Assistant

2Artist

This visa can be obtained to engage in artistic activities that generate income.

📅 Period of Stay: 5 years, 3 years, 1 year, or 3 months

🎵 Composer
📸 Photographer
🎨 Painter

3Religious Activities

This visa can be obtained to engage in missionary work or other religious activities in Japan.

📅 Period of Stay: 5 years, 3 years, 1 year, or 3 months

🙏 Monk
✝️ Bishop
📿 Missionary

4Journalist

This visa can be obtained by foreign media personnel, such as staff from overseas television stations, who come to Japan to conduct news coverage and related activities.

📅 Period of Stay: 5 years, 3 years, 1 year, or 3 months

📰 Newspaper Reporter
📷 Cameraman
🎙️ Announcer

5Investor/Business Manager

This visa can be obtained to manage or operate a business in Japan.

📅Period of Stay: 5 years, 3 years, 1 year, 6 months, 4 months, or 3 months

👔 CEO
💼 Company Executive
📊 Company Auditor

6Legal/Accounting Services

This visa can be obtained by qualified professionals such as lawyers and certified public accountants to engage in legal and accounting work.

📅 Period of Stay: 5 years, 3 years, 1 year, or 3 months

⚖️ Lawyer
💰 Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
📋 Tax Accountant

7Medical Services

This visa can be obtained by qualified individuals to engage in medical-related work in Japan.

📅 Period of Stay: 5 years, 3 years, 1 year, or 3 months

👨‍⚕️ Medical Doctor (MD)
💊 Pharmacist
👩‍⚕️ Nurse

8Research Activities

This visa can be obtained to conduct research activities under a contract with a Japanese institution.

📅Period of Stay: 5 years, 3 years, 1 year, or 3 months

🔬 Researcher
📊 Investigator

9Educational

This visa can be obtained to engage in educational activities at elementary schools, junior high schools, and other equivalent educational institutions.

📅 Period of Stay: 5 years, 3 years, 1 year, or 3 months

📚 Elementary School Teacher
📖 Middle School Teacher
🎓 High School Teacher

10Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services

This visa can be obtained to engage in specialized professional work. It is one of the most commonly applied-for work visas.

📅 Period of Stay: 5 years, 3 years, 1 year, or 3 months

📈 Sales Job
📢 Public Relations (PR)
🔧 Product Development
💻 IT Engineer
🗣️ Interpreter
⌨️ Programmer

11Intra-company Transferee

This visa can be obtained to work in Japan due to personnel transfers or relocations within the company.

📅 Period of Stay: 5 years, 3 years, 1 year, or 3 months

🏢Intra-company Transfer Employee

12Caregiver

This visa can be obtained to work in caregiving duties or provide caregiving instruction based on a contract with public or private institutions in Japan.

📅Period of Stay: 5 years, 3 years, 1 year, or 3 months

🤝 Certified Care Worker

13Entertainer

This visa can be obtained to engage in entertainment activities such as theater performances, sports, and other performing arts.

📅 Period of Stay: 3 years, 1 year, 6 months, 3 months, or 30 days

🎭 Actor
⚽ Athlete
📸 Model

14Skilled Labor

This visa can be obtained to perform skilled work in specialized fields based on a contract with public or private institutions in Japan.

📅Period of Stay: 5 years, 3 years, 1 year, or 3 months

🍳 Chef
✈️ Pilot
🔨 Metalworking Craftsman

15Specified Skilled Worker

This visa can be obtained to work in one of the 12 designated industries facing labor shortages, such as agriculture, food service, and automobile maintenance.

📅Period of Stay:

Type 1: 1 year, 6 months, or 4 months

Type 2: 3 years, 1 year, or 6 months

🧹 Building Cleaning
🌾 Agriculture
🍽️ Food Service (Cooking and Serving)

16Technical Intern

This visa is for trainees accepted through supervising organizations. It aims to transfer skills and knowledge to developing countries.

📅 Period of Stay: As designated by the Minister of Justice

🌾 Agriculture
🔨 Carpentry
🏭 Factory Work

📝 How to Apply for and Obtain a Work Visa

Applying for a work visa requires submissions both from the Japanese side and from the foreign worker’s home country. It is important to understand the detailed procedures involved in obtaining the Certificate of Eligibility (COE) and the work visa.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Work Visas

Q： Can a foreigner be hired as a part-time worker under a work visa?

A：It is not possible to apply for a work visa for part-time employment alone. A foreigner must be employed as a full-time regular employee. They may engage in part-time work or side jobs on their days off, but these activities must fall within the scope permitted by their work visa.

Q：Can a foreign worker be hired at a lower salary than a Japanese worker?

A： According to the law, foreign workers must be paid wages equal to or higher than those of Japanese workers. Article 3 of the Labor Standards Act states that employers shall not discriminate in wages, working hours, or other working conditions based on nationality, creed, or social status.

Q： If a foreign worker leaves the company before the visa expires, do they have to return the work visa?

A： The work visa belongs to the individual, so even if they quit their job before the visa expires, they are not required to return it immediately. If they find a new job within three months after resignation, they can retain their work visa. However, engaging in work outside the scope of their permitted visa status is considered “activities not permitted under the status of residence” and is illegal, so caution is necessary.

For your first foreign talent recruitment, trust U-Match

At U-Match, you can receive advice from staff with extensive experience living in Japan and from companies actively hiring foreign workers. Please feel free to contact us anytime.

日本の就労ビザガイド - 全16種類完全解説