So, what conditions do we need to meet to get working visa in Japan?

photo by VVA

The employment of foreign nationals by Japanese corporation has been increasing in recent years. In October 2016, the number of reported employment of foreign nationals hit a million. It is still a small number compared to other countries that enforce active immigration policy, however, it is obvious that more Japanese companies are enthusiastic to employ foreign workers lately. One thing to remember is, all foreign residents must have work permit to work in Japan except for those who are on Permanent Resident or Spouse or Child of Japanese National that has no restriction to work. So, what are the conditions to get working visa in Japan?

Visas to work in Japan

Among all status of residence Japanese government grants to foreign nationals, there are 17 of so called working visa: Professor, Artist, Religious Activities, Journalist, Highly Skilled Professional, Business Manager, Legal/Accounting Services, Medical Services, Researcher, Instructor, Engineer, Specialist in Humanities/International Services, Intra-company Transferee, Entertainer, Technical Intern Training. Especially, Specialist in Humanities/International Services including translator, interpreter and language teacher, Engineer including system engineer and Highly Skilled Professional including chef of foreign cuisines are highly demanded.

All these visa categories require highly advanced knowledges and skills. This is because work visas are only issued for foreign nationals who are superior to Japanese nationals who have the same abilities that means, you can’t get work visa in order to do labor work or simple office works which require no qualifications.

Tip1: Adequate qualification and work experience

First of all, you must have an appropriate qualification and/or work experience to work in Japan when applying for working visa. For example, valid Japanese qualification or license is required for status of residence such as Medical Services, Legal/Accounting Services. Also, an applicant must meet conditions including academic qualifications in the area that requires expertise of humanities. Furthermore, except for new graduates of tertiary education institutions who apply for working visa, all applicants who intend to work in Japan must have adequate work experience in the area of their profession (length of professional experience vary depending on the type of visa you intend to apply for).

※Even though you are a new graduate of tertiary education institution, you must have a valid Japanese qualification or license if required.
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Tip 2: Existing employment contract

Previously mentioned 17 areas of status of residence are approved under the condition that an applicant already have a place to work. No matter if you find a job in Japan from overseas or after you graduate university in Japan, you must have a signed employment contract before you apply for working visa.

Can foreigners run their own businesses in Japan?

The most likely question here is, whether or not a foreigner can have working visa to work as a business owner. You might think the answer is NO as an applicant must have an employment contract. Actually, they can be granted with Business Manager visa to run a business if they meet the criteria. However, the applicant must prove a stability of the business if the subjected business is already exist, or provide a credible management plan convincing the new business will have continuous profits. In addition, if the visa application is to launch of a new business, the applicant himself must have sufficient funds to cover all the start-up cost. Frankly speaking, getting Business Manager visa is not an easy task in the first place. It is indisputable that it is extremely harder for a new graduate who wish to start business in Japan.

Tip 3: Ability of Japanese language

When you apply for working visa of Japan, there is no requirement to prove your ability of Japanese language. But as previously mentioned, having a valid employment contract is one of the most important conditions to get working visa. That means, you must have adequate communication skill in Japanese language to meet your employer’s requirement. For example, if you wish to work as a nurse or teacher that has a many opportunities to contact with ordinary Japanese people on everyday basis, you must be able to pass your expertise to your clients in Japanese. It is more than likely that you fail to get a job in Japan if you cannot communicate in Japanese, even though you have adequate academic qualification or license. It can’t be better than you have a good Japanese language skill as Japan is still in a monolingual society.

Tip 4: Good personality

Upon application of every status of residence of Japan, you are asked if you have ever convicted within or without Japan, and if you have ever been deported from any country in the past. Your application will not necessarily be rejected due to having a criminal record in the past, however, having no conviction or no deportation experience is still important element to be granted with status of residence.
※This condition applies to application for all status of residence.

All the best in your future endeavor

Yes, getting working visa is a little harder than getting Temporary Visitor visa, but your application will be granted as long as you meet all the conditions. The first thing you have to meet is that you have adequate qualification, license and expertise to start working in Japan immediately. If you think this is you, why don’t you think about starting a career in Japan?