Expanding business operations to Japan will help you establish new relationships and enter a previously untapped market. However, an expansion also means you need to hire a full team or transfer some of your parent company’s employees to Japan. You also need to learn how to get a work visa for every single employee that’s not from Japan.
Types of work visas in Japan
Japan has close to 30 different work permits and long-term visas based on the expatriate’s job requirements and reason for moving to Japan. There are specific work visas for various occupation, including options for artists, instructors, journalists, professors, skilled laborers, and more. The type of permit an employee applies for will determine how long they can remain in Japan. Typically, the length ranges from 3 months to 5 years.
In addition to the work permits for various occupations, Japan recently introduced specific skills visas, including:
- Specified Skilled Worker Visa SSW-2: This visa is for workers going to Japan to fill employment gaps in certain labor sectors. Japan hopes it will bring approximately 500,000 new workers to the country by 2025.
- Specified Skills Visa 1-SSV1: Only workers in specific industries, such as shipbuilding, agriculture, nursing care, among others, can apply for this visa. It requires Japanese language tests and technical exams. The visa is valid for 1 year and renewable for up to 5 years. If an applicant wants to stay longer than 5 years, they will need to apply for the Visa 2-SSV2.
- Specified Skills Visa 2-SSV2: Applicants can renew this visa indefinitely and bring their family members to Japan. Individuals currently living and working in Japan under a Visa 1-SSV1 can apply for this specific visa only after they get a higher level of specialization in their field.
Requirements to obtain Japan work visas
Individuals coming to Japan for any other reason besides tourism must get a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) before obtaining a work permit or visa. The COE will state that an applicant is legally able to visit Japan for work, family, or another qualifying reason. The visa application process requires this certificate, so employees must have it before taking any further steps.
Remember that specific requirements can vary from visa to visa. For example, individuals may need to provide a CV and original university degree or certificate to obtain a work visa in Japan. Other common requirements include a:
- Job offer from a Japan-based company
- Passport
- Visa application form
- Photograph
Application process
The first step to applying for a work visa in Japan is finding a sponsor, which is typically an employer. The individual or local sponsoring organization must apply to the Regional Immigration Services Bureau to get the COE. The application process for the COE includes:
- Submitting a completed application form
- Submitting a 4cm x 3cm photograph
- Providing a return mail envelope with a JPY 392 stamp
- Putting together all supporting documents
- Submitting a letter of guarantee
If your team members is applying for a specified skills visa, they must submit a points calculation as well. The points system will rate applicants based on their skills, and they’ll need more than 70 points to be considered for a visa. As an employer, you also need to prepare certain documents for the visa application process, including:
- Letter of guarantee
- Invitation letter
- List of visa applicants
- Details of your company or organization
- Itinerary in Japan
Other important considerations
Applicants must pay a fee for the type of working visa they’re applying for. The fee depends on the type of visa, the applicant’s nationality, and whether they want a single- or multiple-entry process. Usually, a single-entry visa is about JPY 3,000 and a multiple-entry visa is JPY 6,000.
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For this particular location, G-P may offer support processing certain work visas and permits. Contact us today to assess your specific needs.