Visas

Which status of residence fits you, and how to get it

Visas

Business Manager Visa

What it now takes to get Japan's Business Manager status — capital, premises, staffing and business-plan requirements, and who this route still makes sense for.

Visas

Change of Status

How the change-of-status procedure works — timing, documents, working while it processes, and the transitions that succeed or fail most often.

Visas

Dependent Visa

How the Dependent (family stay) status works — who can sponsor, financial requirements, the 28-hour work rule and upgrade paths for working spouses.

Visas

Designated Activities

What the Designated Activities status covers — post-graduation job hunting, digital nomads, startup founders, and the other special cases immigration handles through this flexible category.

Visas

Engineer / Humanities Visa

Japan's main work visa for degree holders — requirements, eligible jobs, visa periods, and how it compares to other work visas.

Visas

Highly Skilled Professional

How Japan's HSP points system works — scoring 70+ points, the preferential treatments, HSP (ii), J-Skip, and permanent residency in 1–3 years.

Visas

Permanent Residency

The real requirements for Japanese permanent residency — the 10-year rule and its exceptions, what examiners audit, processing times and how PR can still be lost.

Visas

SSW (i) in Detail

The Specified Skilled Worker (i) status explained — the 5-year cap, mandatory employer support plan, job change rules and what happens when time runs out.

Visas

SSW (ii) in Detail

How Specified Skilled Worker (ii) works — who can take the advanced exam, which fields are covered, family sponsorship and the path to permanent residency.

Visas

Specified Skilled Worker

Who qualifies for Japan's Specified Skilled Worker visa, the skills and Japanese tests required, and the application process step by step.

Visas

Spouse Visa

How the spouse visa works — unrestricted work rights, the evidence immigration expects, what happens after divorce, and the accelerated permanent residency path.

Visas

Student Visa

How to get a student visa for a Japanese language school, vocational school or university, and the rules for working part-time while you study.

Visas

Technical Intern Training

Japan's Technical Intern Training Program explained — structure, restrictions, the transition to the new Employment for Skill Development system, and how it connects to SSW.

Visas

Work Visa Overview

A map of Japan's main work visas — Engineer/Humanities, Specified Skilled Worker, Highly Skilled Professional and more — and how to pick the right route.

Visas

Working Holiday

Which countries have working holiday agreements with Japan, age and application rules, job restrictions, and how to use the year strategically.