How to obtain Japanese Visa

Since November 2007 the immigration authority of Japan has newly introduced a Visa Extension for Entrepreneurs. That is, those foreign graduates who will establish incorporation in Japan could be permitted to extend their visa up to 180 days even after graduation from universities etc. in Japan for preparation to newly launch business in Japan.

The detail of this arrangement is as follows.

Visa Extension for Graduate Entrepreneurs

* Statuses of residence to which the Ministerial Ordinance to Provide for Criteria for Landing Permission does apply.
The Immigration Control Act stipulates the basic legal framework for foreigners staying in Japan in terms of status of residence and also, regarding several types of status of residence, stipulates further that criteria established by an ordinance of the Ministry of Justice in consideration of the impact on Japan's industry and general welfare shall apply as a condition for granting landing permission.
These conditions for granting landing permission are stated in the Ministerial Ordinance to Provide for Criteria pursuant to Article 7, Paragraph 1 (2) of the Immigration Control Act (Ministry of Justice Ordinance No. 16 of May 24, 1990).
For the criteria for each status of residence, refer to the page(s) indicated below the term of residence.

VISA CATEGORY: DIPLOMATIC VISA

Diplomat

during mission

Activities on the part of constituent members of diplomatic missions or consular offices of foreign governments hosted by the Government of Japan, and activities on the part of their family members belonging to the same household.

Activities on the part of those who are provided with similar privileges and/or immunities as are given to diplomatic missions in accordance with treaties or international customary practices (for example, heads of state, ministers, and parliamentary speakers of foreign countries; the secretary general of the United Nations; the secretary generals of specialized agencies of the United Nations; etc.), and activities on the part of their family members belonging to the same household.

VISA CATEGORIY: SPECIFIED VISA

Status of residence	term of residence	Activities authorized to engage in
Spouse or Child of Japanese National	3 years or 1 year	Spouses of Japanese nationals, children adopted by Japanese nationals in accordance with the provisions of Article 817-2 of the Civil Code (Law No. 89 of 1896), or those born as children of Japanese nationals.
Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident	3 years or 1 year	Spouses of those who stay with Permanent Resident status or those who are Special Permanent Residents as described in the Special Law on Immigration Control, which covers those who have lost Japanese nationality through a peace treaty between Japan and another nation, or those born as children of Permanent or Special Permanent Residents.
Long-term Resident	3 years, 1 year, 6 months, or a designated period of less than 3 years	Refugees as stipulated by the convention relating to the Status of Refugees, Indochinese refugee settlers, second- and third-generation Japanese settlers, etc.

Status of residence

term of residence

Activities authorized to engage in

Status of residence	term of residence	Activities authorized to engage in
Permanent Resident	indefinite	Those who are granted permanent residence by tbe Minister of Justice. Application for Permanent Resident status is not possible at overseas Japanese diplomatic establishments.

If a foreigner wishes to enter Japan for activities other than those described in section A, he or she will need a diplomatic visa, official visa, working visa, general visa, or specified visa. Naturally, foreigners who enter Japan having acquired a working visa are able to work in Japan. Typical types of employment include the long-term assignment to Japan of foreign company personnel; employment in Japanese companies to make use of the foreigner's knowledge of other countries; entertainment activities, such as concerts, theater, and sports; and educational activities, such as foreign-language teaching.
It is also possible to get permission for long-term stays for some activities that meet certain criteria, such as Japanese university or college education or company training, although work is not permitted in these cases. Permission for long-term residence in Japan is also granted in the case of spouses of Japanese nationals and others who settle in Japan.
When applying for a visa for the above-mentioned activities, it is advisable to apply in Japan beforehand for a Certificate of Eligibility. If a foreigner submits a visa application to an embassy or consulate together with a Certificate of Eligibility, he or she will be able to obtain a visa in a shorter time than applicants without such a certificate.
Foreigners can apply for a visa without such a certificate at an embassy or consulate in the case of long-term stays also. But if the purpose of the stay is work, the application documents might be forwarded to a regional immigration authority in Japan for screening. In this case applicants are advised to leave plenty of time for their application to be processed.

(c) Whether work is permitted or not depends on the contents of individual permits

Short-term stays refer to temporary visits of up to 90 days for such purposes as sightseeing; sports; convalescence; visits to relatives, friends, or acquaintances; amateur participation in athletic meetings or other contests; business trips (such as market surveys, business liaison, business talks, signing contracts, and after-sale service for machinery imported into Japan); and friendship visits. These activities require either a temporary visa or transit visa. (However, this category excludes profit-making operations and paid activities.)

To apply for a visa, the applicant must apply in person to an embassy or consulate. There is no system by which a proxy can carry out the application procedures in Japan.
When applying for a visa at an embassy or consulate, the documents to be submitted or shown differ according to the purposes of the visit, so please make inquiries to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or an embassy or consulate beforehand and then apply with the necessary documents.
When applying for a visa at an embassy or consulate, you might be requested to submit documents in addition to those mentioned in this pamphlet. Also, please note that applications might not be accepted if documents are inadequate.
There are three processes of visa application, as shown in the accompanying diagram. In principle, applications usually follow the first process. The second and third processes are used when necessary.
Japan has seven types of visa, including two types of visa for short-term stays. Working visas are issued for 14 statuses of residence. There are also cases where a visa is not necessary for landing permission. Purposes for entering Japan are broadly divided into those requiring short-term stays, such as tourism, and other purposes, such as work, necessitating long-term stays. Visa applications for these two categories are explained in sections A and B below, respectively.

Short-term Stays (Excluding Work)

A Certificate of Eligibility is issued before a visa application by a regional immigration authority under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Justice as evidence that the applicant fulfills various conditions of the Immigration Control Act, including those certifying that the activity in which the foreigner wishes to engage in Japan is valid and comes under a status of residence (excluding Temporary Visitor Status).
The Certificate of Eligibility has the advantage of reducing the time required to obtain a visa and complete immigration procedures, since a foreigner in possession of such a certificate can probably acquire a visa at an embassy or consulate without any inquiries being made to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and, by showing the certificate to the immigration officer, obtain landing permission more easily.
Please note, however, that even if a foreigner possesses a Certificate of Eligibility, an embassy or consulate will not issue a visa in certain circumstances -for example, if there has been a change in the situation since the issue of the certificate (such as the company that was planning to hire the foreigner deciding not to do so because of business difficulties) or if it becomes evident that the documents submitted to obtain the certificate were false.
There are two processes for acquiring a Certificate of Eligibility, as shown in the accompanying diagram. An application is usually made by a proxy in Japan at the nearest regional immigration authority to the proxy's place of residence in Japan. The second process is limited to special cases, such as applicants who happen to be residing in Japan and are prepared to leave the country to apply for a visa.
For more details concerning the acquisition of a Certificate of Eligibility and the time required, please inquire at the nearest regional immigration authority.

VISA CATEGORY: WORKING VISA

At present Japan has two types of visa: a seal type, in which a visa seal is stuck inside the passport, and a stamp type, in which a visa stamp is marked in the passport. The seal type is used by overseas Japanese diplomatic establishments that issue a large number of visas, as in the Republic of Korea, Hong Kong, Thailand, and the Philippines.
Other Japanese diplomatic establishments use the stamp-type visa.
In the case of foreigners who do not possess a passport that is recognized as valid by the Japanese Government, such as stateless persons, Japan issues a special "travel document for aliens."

Status of residence	term of residence	Activities authorized to engage in
Cultural Activities	1 year or 6 months	Academic or artistic activities that provide no income, activities for the purpose of pursuing specific studies on Japanese culture or arts, or activities for the purpose of learning and acquiring skills in Japanese culture or arts under the guidance of experts (for example, ikebana, tea ceremony, judo, etc.).
College Student *	2 years or 1 year	Activities to receive education at colleges or equivalent educational institutions, specialized courses of study at miscellaneous schools (senshu gakko), educational institutions designated for preparing persons who have completed 12 years of education at schools in foreign countries to enter college, or technical colleges (koto senmon gakko). Applicants must fulfill certain conditions regarding ability to pay living expenses, etc.
Precollege Student *	1 year or 6 months	Activities to receive education at high schools, high school courses of schools for the blind or of handicapped children's schools, higher or general courses of miscellaneous schools (kakushu gakko and senshu gakko), or of other educational institutions that are equivalent to kakushu gakko schools in facilities and curriculum. Applicants must fulfill certain conditions regarding ability to pay living expenses, etc.
Training	1 year or 6 months	Activities to learn and acquire technology, skills, or knowledge at public or private organizations in Japan (including not only training in industrial techniques and skills but also administrative training in local governments and other public bodies and clerical training to acquire knowledge).
Family stays*	3 years, 2 years, 1 year, 6 months or 3 months	Daily living activities on the part of the spouse or unmarried minor child of those who stay in Japan with a status of residence mentioned in Table (a) (excluding Diplomat and Official) or with a Cultural Activities or College Student status of residence.

Outline of Japanese visa

Status of residence	term of residence	Activities authorized to engage in
Professor	3 years or 1 year	Activities for research, research guidance, or education as professor, assistant professor, or assistant, etc. at universities, equivalent educational institutions, or technical colleges (koto senmon gakko).
Artist	3 years or 1 yea	Activities for the arts that provide income, including those carried out by composers, songwriters, artists, sculptors, craftspeople, photographers, etc.
Religious Activities	3 years or 1 year	Missionary and other religious activities conducted by members of foreign religious organizations.
Journalist	3 years or 1 year	News coverage and other journalistic activities conducted on the basis of a contract with a foreign journalistic organization, such as a foreign newspaper company, news agency, broadcasting station, documentary movie company, etc. (Specifically, activities carried out by newspaper journalists, magazine journalists, report writers, editorial chiefs, editors, media photographers, television and radio announcers, etc., including freelancers.)
Investor/ Business Manager * >> More details	3 years or 1 year	Activities to commence the operation of international trade or other business, to invest in international trade or other business and to operate or manage that business, or to operate or manage international trade or other business on behalf of foreign nationals (including foreign corporations) who have begun such an operation or have invested in such a business. The business in question must meet certain conditions of scale. Applicants who wish to engage in business management must fulfill certain conditions concerning work status and personal history.
Legal/ Accounting Services *	3 years or 1 year	Activities to engage in legal or accounting business. Applicants must be attorneys or public accountants certified to perform their duties in Japan, or those with other legal qualifications recognized by Japan.
Medical Services *	3 years or 1 year	Activities to engage in medical treatment service. Applicants must be physicians, dentists, or those with other medical qualifications, and must be qualified under Japanese law and fulfill certain conditions concerning work status, etc.
Researcher *	3 years or 1 year	Activities to engage in examinations, surveys, research, etc. on the basis of a contract with a public or private organization in Japan. Applicants must fulfill certain conditions concerning personal history and work status.
Instructor *	3 years or 1 year	Activities to engage in language instruction and other education at elementary schools, junior high schools, senior high schools, schools for the blind, handicapped children's schools, miscellaneous schools (kakushu gakko and senshu gakko), or other educational institutions equivalent to kakushu gakko in facilities and curriculum.
Engineer *	3 years or 1 year	Activities to engage in service that requires technological skill and/or knowledge pertinent to physical science, engineering, or other natural science fields, on the basis of a contract with a public or private organization in Japan. Applicants must fulfill certain conditions concerning personal history and work status.
Specialist in Humanities/ International Services *	3 years or 1 year	Activities to engage in service that requires knowledge pertinent to jurisprudence, economics, sociology, or other human science fields. Activities to engage in service that requires specific ways of thought or sensitivity based on experience with foreign culture, such as interpreting, translation, copywriting, fashion design, interior design, sales, overseas business, information processing, international finance, design, or public relations and advertising based on a contract with a public or private organization in Japan. Applicants must fulfill certain conditions concerning personal history and work status.
Intracompany Transferee *	3 years or 1 year	Activities on the part of personnel who are transferred to business offices in Japan for a limited period of time from business offices that are established in foreign countries by public or private organizations with head offices, branch offices, or other business offices in Japan and who engage at these business offices in the activities described in the "Engineer" or "Specialist in Humanities/International Services" sections of this table. Applicants must fulfill certain conditions concerning personal history and work status.
Entertainer	1 year, 6 months, or 3 months	Activities to engage in theatrical performances, arts, song, dance, musical performances, sports, or any other show business. Applicants must fulfill certain conditions concerning personal history, work status, and form of entertainment. Activities such as the production of television programs or movies, the photographing of models, etc. Applicants must fulfill certain conditions concerning work status.
Skilled Labor *	3 years or 1 year	Activities to engage in service that requires industrial techniques or skills belonging to special fields on the basis of a contract with a public or private organization in Japan. Applicants must fulfill certain conditions concerning personal history and work status.

2. Conditions to be eligible as an applicant
Those foreign graduates who wish to obtain a permission for Visa Extension for Graduate Entrepreneurs need to meet the following conditions.
a) You must be a graduate from university or graduate school in Japan (excluded junior colleges)
b) Having good grades/conduct upon examinations/activities in the school with recommendation from the school and having already been in preparation for business start-up while you are studying in the school
c) Having prepared a business plan and a commercial registration or some documents else to testify the description of your business and will make an application to obtain an Investor/Business Management visa having established your company
d) You (or someone who support you) must be able to afford to bear all the expenses of your stay in Japan (excluded ones for your business as separately mentioned below)
e) Having got JPY 5 million or more in cash or loan from banks etc., as the fund for your business start-up
f) Having procured an office, shops etc. as the space to operate your business
g) You need to have got either of the below-mentioned supports from the university such as;
- Supports for entrepreneurs such as seminars, meeting with companies etc.
- Help to draw up a business plan
- Supports in finance, office rent etc. such as subsidy, reference to venture capitals, office provision by business incubators
h) You must have kept the needful such as money, air ticket etc. to assure that you can leave Japan in case you failed in actually starting the business within 180 days

3. Duty of university
- The university must check every month and prepare documents to the immigration authority to testify that the foreign graduate has been truly in the activities for business start-up in the last 90 days when renewing this Visa Extension for Entrepreneurs
- In case the university found that foreign graduates are not actually working on the business start-up activities or failing in actually starting the business she must report the case to the immigration authority and help the foreign graduate to leave Japan

4. Family of the foreign graduates
Family of the foreign graduates can also make application to change their Dependant visa to a Temporary Visitor visa during the granted period to start the business.

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VISA CATEGORY: SPECIFIED VISA

Temporary Visitor

15 days

Activities are limited to sightseeing, leisure, and rest. Applicants must be foreigners traveling to a foreign country from another foreign country via Japan who wish to stay in Japan for a short period (up to 15 days).

VISA CATEGORY: TRANSIT VISA

(b) Statuses of residence not permitting work

VISA CATEGORY: TEMPORARY VISITOR'S VISA

Status of residence	term of residence	Activities authorized to engage in
Temporary Visitor	90 days or 15 days	Sightseeing; recreation; sports; visiting relatives, friends, or acquaintances; visiting a sick person; attending a wedding or funeral ceremony; participating in athletic tournaments, contests, etc. as an amateur; business purposes (such as market research, business liaison, business consultations, signing a contract, or providing after-sale service for imported machinery); inspecting or visiting plants, trade fairs, etc.; attending lectures, explanatory meetings, etc.; academic surveys or research presentations; religious pilgrimages or visits; friendship visits to sister cities, sister schools, etc.; or other similar activities during a short period of stay in Japan.

(a) Statuses of residence permitting work

2. Statuses of residence without restrictions on activities in Japan

VISA CATEGORY: OFFICIAL VISA

Work and Long-term Stays

- Quote -
Source: Website of MOFA (The Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

VISA CATEGORY: GENERAL VISA

Official

during mission

Activities on the part of those who engage in official business of foreign governments or international organizations recognized by the Government of Japan, and activities on the part of their family members belonging to the same household.

1. Statuses of residence for engaging in specified activities in Japan

B. Categories of Visa and Scope of Each Status of Residence

Japan has 7 categories of visa. Visas are issued according to the purpose of the foreigner's visit. The following tables show the visa category, the corresponding status of residence and term of residence, and the range of foreigners who are permitted to enter Japan under each category.

* Working Holiday Agreements: Based on bilateral agreements, working holiday programs permit young people (between 18 and 30 years of age) from the countries concerned who are visiting a partner country on vacation to engage in work there so as to supplement their funds to travel and stay in that country, thereby providing them with an opportunity to get to know that country's culture and general lifestyle. At present Japan has such working holiday agreements with five countries: Australia, Canada, France, New Zealand, and the Republic of Korea.

Meanwhile, those types of status residence with which you shall no longer have any restriction on business activities in Japan are 1) Permanent Residency, 2) Spouse of Japanese, 3) Spouse of foreigners who have a permanent residency, 4) Naturalization to Japanese, so that no need to obtain an Investor / Business Manager visa.

In case you need to obtain an Investor / Business Management visa, your company must have been legally registered prior to your application for the visa. Also, your company must have employed 2 or above full-time employees together with annual investment JPY 5 million or above. However, those companies just newly been established could be exempted from this regulation of 2 or above full-time employees if it had invested JPY 5 million or above as an initial investment. Beside, the office of your company must have been separated from your residence for business purpose only.

1. Description
If you have been studying in a university or a graduate school in Japan and are planning to newly incorporate and start your business in Japan directly after your graduation from school, you may be eligible for this Visa Extension for Entrepreneurs. This Visa Extension is to let you extend your visa up to 180 days after graduation having temporally changed your College Student visa to a Temporary Visitor visa in the aim to help you for the incorporation procedures and other business start-up preparations.

Designated Activities

3 years, 1 year, 6 months, or a designated period of less than 1 year

Activities that are specifically designated by the Minister of Justice for foreign individuals. (For example, activities on the part of foreigners who wish to enter Japan as personal help privately employed by diplomats, consular representatives, etc.; foreigners who wish to enter Japan under bilateral working holiday agreements*; foreigners who are employed by companies, etc. and are active as athletes in amateur sports and their dependent spouses and children; foreign lawyers engaged in international arbitration affairs, etc. university students engaged in internship activities.)

Activities authorized to engage in

Activities authorized to engage in

Activities authorized to engage in

Activities authorized to engage in

Outline of Japanese visa

Activities authorized to engage in

B. Categories of Visa and Scope of Each Status of Residence

A. Types of Visa