Status of Residence
Visas that can work and can’t work
Visas allowing you to work in Japan
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Highly Skilled Professional Visa
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Work Visa
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General Visa
e.g. Student Visa -
Specified Visa
Including Working Holiday, and Spouse or Child of Japanese National (SCJN) -
Start-up Visa
Where a prefecture wishes to help a business starting up. This visa applies to applicants that are suported by local government in specific industry field. -
Diplomatic Visa
Visas that DO NOT allow you to work in Japan
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Short-Term Stay Visa
e.g. for tourism, visiting relatives etc., you cannot carry out activities you will recieve a reward for. -
Medical Stay Visa
i.e. foreign patients and their companion visiting Japan to receive treatment
About the Visa
Visas allowing you to work in Japan
- Renewal of Status of Residence to keep working in Japan (“Renewal and Change of Status of Residence“). There are time limits and processing times, apply early as the government department is very strict.
- If you want to work but your current visa does not allow it you can apply for “Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted under the Status of Residence Previously Granted“.
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In the following cases you would not need to apply for this permission:
- If the activity is without pay e.g. as a volunteer
- If it is a one time only activity e.g. you help a friend for one day only as an interpreter
- If your status of residence is a Permanent Resident (PR), Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident (SCPR), Spouse or Child of Japanese National (SCJN), or Long-Term Resident (LTR)
- If the activity is recognised in a current residence visa e.g. if your visa is as a specialist in International Services and you provide interpreter services in your weekend