I’m the representative of Kisaragi Immigration Support Office.
In my twenties, I lived in several countries, working in agriculture and the tourism industry, and had many opportunities to connect with people from diverse backgrounds. These experiences inspired me to support foreign nationals taking on new challenges in Japan, which led me to become a certified immigration legal specialist (Gyoseishoshi).
I am a registered member of the Aichi Prefecture Administrative Scriveners Association (Registration No. 22200630).
For foreigners to stay in Japan, they must obtain permission that matches their purpose of stay.
This is called a “status of residence,” and it is commonly referred to as a visa.
In this article, we will organize and introduce the 29 types of status of residence in Japan. We will provide clear explanations of the 19 types of work visas, 5 types of non-work visas, the designated activities visa, and the 4 types of residence visas with no work restrictions, covering the activities allowed and eligible individuals for each category.
Table of Contents
There Are 29 Types of Visas (Status of Residence) in Total
Foreigners living in Japan are required to obtain one of the statuses of residence specified in the Immigration Control Act.
As of October 2025, there are 29 types of status of residence in total, each with different scopes of activities and periods of stay.
Additionally, statuses of residence are sometimes classified into four categories based on their purpose: work visas, non-work visas, designated activities visas, and residence visas.
List of Statuses of Residence
Work Visas
Diplomat, Official, 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, Nursing Care, Entertainer, Skilled Labor, Specified Skilled Worker, Technical Intern Training
Non-Work Visas
Cultural Activities, Temporary Visitor, Student, Trainee, Dependent
Designated Activities Visa
Designated Activities
Residence Visas
Permanent Resident, Spouse or Child of Japanese National, Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident, Long-Term Resident
It should be noted that while visa and status of residence are technically different concepts, the term “visa” is commonly used to refer to statuses of residence, such as “permanent resident visa,” “work visa,” and “student visa.” In this article, we will also use the term “visa” in the same manner.
There Are 19 Types of Work Visas
Work visas are statuses of residence that allow foreigners to engage in paid employment in Japan, and they are divided into 19 types in total.
Each status of residence has specifically defined scopes of permitted activities, and the type of work visa to be obtained and the examination criteria vary depending on the occupation and job duties.
Diplomat
The Diplomat status of residence is granted to diplomatic officials such as ambassadors, ministers, consuls-general, and members of delegations from foreign governments, as well as their family members.
The period of stay is defined as “the period during which diplomatic activities are conducted,” and unlike regular statuses of residence, it is not limited by a specific number of years.
Foreigners with this status of residence are not classified as mid- to long-term residents even if their stay extends for a long period, and therefore they are not eligible to receive a residence card.
Official
The Official status of residence is granted to staff members working at foreign diplomatic missions abroad, individuals dispatched on official business by international organizations, and their family members.
While similar to the Diplomat status of residence, the Official status has a set period of stay, with a maximum period of up to 5 years granted, and permission for extension must be obtained before the expiration date.
Foreigners staying with this status of residence are not classified as mid- to long-term residents and therefore are not eligible to receive a residence card.
Professor
The Professor status of residence is granted to individuals who conduct research, education, or research guidance at universities in Japan, equivalent educational institutions, or colleges of technology.
The period of stay is determined based on factors such as the planned employment period, with a maximum period of 5 years granted at one time.
Artist
The Artist status of residence is granted to composers, painters, writers, and other artists who engage in artistic activities such as music, fine arts, and literature in Japan.
This status of residence permits income-generating activities in music, fine arts, literature, and other artistic fields.
The period of stay is determined based on the nature of the activities and the stability of the residence situation, with a maximum period of up to 5 years granted at one time.
Religious Activities
The Religious Activities status of residence is granted to missionaries, monks, and other religious workers dispatched by foreign religious organizations to engage in missionary work or religious practices in Japan.
Eligible individuals for this status of residence include missionaries, pastors, priests, monks, clergy, bishops, and shrine priests.
The period of stay is determined based on the nature of the activities, with a maximum period of up to 5 years granted at one time.
Journalist
The Journalist status of residence is granted to reporters, camera operators, and other media professionals under contract with foreign press organizations who engage in news gathering and reporting activities in Japan.
Eligible occupations include reporters for newspapers and magazines, camera operators, editors, announcers, and correspondents.
The period of stay is determined based on the nature of the activities and the planned duration of stay, with a maximum period of up to 5 years granted at one time.
Highly Skilled Professional
The Highly Skilled Professional status of residence is granted to foreigners who are recognized as highly skilled personnel through a points-based system that evaluates their educational background, work experience, annual income, and other criteria.
This status of residence has three categories based on the type of activity: Highly Skilled Professional in Advanced Academic Research Activities, Highly Skilled Professional in Advanced Specialized/Technical Activities, and Highly Skilled Professional in Advanced Business Management Activities.
Additionally, each category has both No. 1 and No. 2 statuses of residence. No. 1 allows a stay of up to 5 years, while No. 2 permits an indefinite period of stay.
A key feature of the Highly Skilled Professional status is that it offers multiple preferential measures, including shortened requirements for permanent residence permission and the ability to be accompanied by parents and domestic helpers.
Business Manager
The Business Manager status of residence is granted to business owners who manage companies and other entities, as well as to management-level positions such as branch managers and executive officers.
Upon obtaining this status of residence, individuals are permitted to engage in trade, operation of various businesses, or management duties within Japan.
The period of stay is determined based on the business plan and planned duration of stay, with a maximum period of 5 years granted at one time.
Legal/Accounting Services
The Legal/Accounting Services status of residence is granted to individuals who engage in work that requires legal or accounting qualifications.
Eligible professions include 11 types: attorneys, judicial scriveners, land and house investigators, registered foreign lawyers, certified public accountants, foreign certified public accountants, tax accountants, certified social insurance labor consultants, patent attorneys, maritime procedures commissioners, and administrative scriveners.
The period of stay is determined based on the planned duration of stay and the stability of the work, with a maximum period of up to 5 years that may be granted.
Medical Services
The Medical Services status of residence is a status of residence for qualified foreign medical professionals such as physicians, dentists, and nurses to work in Japan.
Eligible professions include physicians, dentists, pharmacists, public health nurses, midwives, nurses, assistant nurses, dental hygienists, radiological technologists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, certified orthoptists, clinical engineers, and prosthetists and orthotists.
The period of stay is determined based on the planned duration of stay and the stability of residence, with a maximum period of 5 years granted at one time.
Researcher
The Researcher status of residence is granted to researchers who are affiliated with government agencies, private companies, or other organizations and engage in research activities within Japan.
Eligible individuals for this status of residence are those who engage in research activities based on contracts with public institutions or companies.
Those who conduct research activities as professors at universities are not eligible for this status of residence.
The maximum period granted at one time is 5 years, and if an extension is needed, an application for extension of period of stay must be filed.
Instructor
The Instructor status of residence is granted to foreigners who provide language education or other classes at elementary schools, junior high schools, high schools, special needs schools, and similar institutions.
Teaching at language schools operated by private companies is not included in this status and is instead classified under Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services.
The period of stay is determined through individual examination, with a maximum period of 5 years granted at one time.
Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services
The Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services status of residence is granted to individuals who engage in “work that applies academic knowledge in science or humanities” or “work that utilizes foreign language skills or sensibilities based on foreign culture.”
The types of work permitted under this status of residence are wide-ranging and include engineers in fields such as mechanical engineering, interpreters, designers, language teachers at private companies, marketing professionals, and many others.
Due to the broad range of eligible occupations, many foreign workers currently obtain this status of residence to work in Japan.
The period of stay is determined based on factors such as company size, residence status, and work performance, with a maximum period of 5 years granted at one time.
The Intra-company Transferee status of residence is granted to foreigners who are transferred for a certain period from an overseas office to a head office, branch office, or other business location in Japan.
The activities permitted are the same as those under Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services, and individuals may only engage in work that requires specialized skills.
The maximum period of stay granted at one time is 5 years, and it is determined based on factors such as the designated transfer period.
Nursing Care
The Nursing Care status of residence is a status of residence for individuals who hold the certified care worker qualification to engage in nursing care work or nursing care instruction based on contracts with nursing care facilities in Japan.
To obtain this status of residence, it is necessary to pass the certified care worker examination, which is a national qualification in Japan.
Therefore, the Nursing Care visa is often applied for by switching from other statuses of residence such as Specified Skilled Worker or Technical Intern Training, and cases of obtaining it directly upon entry are quite rare.
The maximum period of stay granted at one time is 5 years.
Entertainer
The Entertainer status of residence is obtained when engaging in theatrical arts, music, sports, or other entertainment activities.
Eligible occupations include actors, singers, musicians, dancers, models, and professional athletes.
The period of stay may be granted for a maximum of 3 years at one time.
Skilled Labor
The Skilled Labor status of residence is granted when working in fields that require advanced expertise based on special industrial skills.
Examples of specific occupations include foreign cuisine chefs, sports instructors, aircraft pilots, and precious metal craftsmen.
The period of stay granted at one time is a maximum of 5 years, and the practical work experience required for each occupation is subject to examination.
Specified Skilled Worker
The Specified Skilled Worker status of residence has been established to accept foreigners with skills who can be immediate assets in industrial sectors facing serious labor shortages.
Specified Skilled Worker No. 1 is intended for those with “a considerable degree of skill,” and as of October 2025, workers are being accepted in 16 industrial sectors including nursing care, construction, food service, and agriculture.
On the other hand, No. 2 requires “proficient skills,” and the eligible industrial sectors include 11 fields such as construction, food service, and agriculture.
The period of stay granted at one time is a maximum of 1 year for No. 1 and a maximum of 3 years for No. 2, and if an extension is desired, an application for extension of period of stay must be filed.
Additionally, Specified Skilled Worker No. 1 has a limit on the total period of stay, and it is not possible to remain in Japan for more than 5 years while holding the No. 1 visa.
Technical Intern Training
The Technical Intern Training status of residence is a system established for the purpose of transferring technology to developing countries, and the program is operated with the aim of having technical intern trainees return the knowledge and skills they have learned in Japan to their home countries.
Technical Intern Training includes No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3, all of which involve progressive training based on certified technical intern training plans.
The period of stay is set at a maximum of 1 year for No. 1, and a maximum of 2 years each for No. 2 and No. 3.
It should be noted that it is not possible to remain in Japan on the Technical Intern Training visa for more than a total of 5 years combining No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3.
There Are 5 Types of Non-Work Visas
There are 5 types of statuses of residence that are not for employment purposes, and they are classified according to the nature of activities such as study abroad and cultural activities.
Here, we will explain the characteristics of each in order.
Cultural Activities
The Cultural Activities status of residence is granted when individuals “conduct specialized research on Japanese culture or arts unique to Japan” or “learn these under the guidance of experts.”
Eligible cultural practices and arts include ikebana (flower arrangement), tea ceremony, judo, Japanese architecture, Japanese painting, Japanese dance, Japanese cuisine, traditional Japanese music, Zen, and karate.
The maximum period of stay granted at one time is set at 3 years, and if an extension is desired, renewal is required each time.
Since employment is not permitted under the Cultural Activities visa, financial resources and asset status are primarily emphasized during residence examination.
Temporary Visitor
The Temporary Visitor status of residence is granted when temporarily entering Japan for short-term tourism, visits to relatives, participation in meetings, business communication, and similar purposes.
Eligible activities include tourism and recreation, as well as participation in sports events or training sessions, inspections, and other activities that are not for the purpose of earning income.
For passport holders from visa-exempt countries, a system is in place whereby they can enter without obtaining a visa at an embassy in advance and receive the Temporary Visitor visa during immigration inspection at the airport.
The maximum allowable period of stay is 90 days, and in principle, extensions are not permitted.
Student
The Student status of residence is granted to foreigners who engage in educational activities at universities, vocational schools, Japanese language schools, and similar institutions in Japan.
In principle, income-earning activities are not permitted, but if “Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted Under the Status of Residence Previously Granted” is obtained, it is possible to work part-time within the limit of 28 hours per week.
The period of stay varies depending on the type of educational institution, and university students are permitted to stay on a Student visa for up to a maximum of 4 years and 3 months.
Trainee
The Trainee status of residence is granted for activities involving learning skills and knowledge while being accepted by Japanese companies or organizations.
In principle, engaging in income-earning activities is not permitted, and the nature of this status differs from that of Technical Intern Training.
The maximum period of stay granted at one time is 1 year.
Dependent
The Dependent status of residence is granted when foreigners staying in Japan on work visas or similar statuses bring their spouses or children to support them.
Individuals with this status of residence are not permitted to work in principle, but if they receive “Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted Under the Status of Residence Previously Granted,” they are allowed to work up to 28 hours per week.
The maximum period of stay granted at one time is 5 years, but it is determined in accordance with the period of stay granted to the supporting family member.
The Designated Activities Visa Is One Type but Has Over 50 Different Categories
The Designated Activities status of residence is a status where the Minister of Justice designates the content of activities after considering individual circumstances.
While classified as one type of status of residence under the Immigration Control Act, as of October 2025, pre-established public notices have been set up from No. 1 to No. 57.
Therefore, there are over 50 types of activities that foreigners who have obtained the Designated Activities visa can engage in, including both work-permitted and non-work-permitted categories.
This status of residence includes “Designated Activities Based on Public Notice,” where activity content is specified based on public notices, and “Designated Activities Not Based on Public Notice,” which are designated on a case-by-case basis according to individual circumstances.
Representative examples of Designated Activities Based on Public Notice include “No. 5: Working Holiday,” “No. 46: Graduates of Japanese Universities,” and “No. 55: Preparation for Specified Automobile Transportation Business.”
The maximum period of stay granted at one time is 5 years, but the upper limit of the period of stay varies significantly depending on the specific activity content.
There Are 4 Types of Residence Visas with No Work Restrictions
Residence visas are statuses of residence granted based on a foreigner’s status or position, and unlike work visas, there are no restrictions on job duties specific to each status of residence.
Here, we will introduce the four types of residence visas with no work restrictions.
Permanent Resident
The Permanent Resident status of residence is granted to foreigners who have received permanent residence permission from the Minister of Justice, and there are no work restrictions.
To apply for permanent residence permission, in principle, individuals must have continuously resided in Japan for at least 10 years, with at least 5 of those years spent on a work visa (excluding Technical Intern Training and Specified Skilled Worker No. 1) or a residence-based visa.
Additionally, Japan does not have a system that grants permanent residence permission at the time of entry, so it is necessary to enter on a different status of residence, fulfill the residency requirements, and then apply for permanent residence permission.
The period of stay for Permanent Residents is indefinite with no renewal obligation, but it is important to note that the residence card must be renewed every 7 years.
Spouse or Child of Japanese National
The Spouse or Child of Japanese National status of residence is granted to spouses of Japanese nationals, special adopted children of Japanese nationals, or foreigners who were born as children of Japanese nationals.
Individuals with this status of residence are not subject to work restrictions under the Immigration Control Act, so they can work in any occupation as long as they comply with laws such as the Labor Standards Act.
The period of stay granted is determined through examination, but the maximum period granted at one time is set at 5 years.
Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident
The Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident status of residence is granted to spouses of permanent residents or special permanent residents, or to foreigners who were born in Japan as children of permanent residents and have continuously resided in Japan.
It is important to note that children born outside Japan or children who left Japan after birth and have not continuously resided in Japan are not eligible.
This status of residence does not have work restrictions under the Immigration Control Act, so individuals can work in any occupation as long as they comply with labor laws and other applicable regulations.
The maximum period of stay granted at one time is 5 years.
Long-Term Resident
The Long-Term Resident status of residence is granted when the Minister of Justice recognizes residence in Japan after considering individual circumstances.
This status of residence includes “Long-Term Resident Based on Public Notice,” which is pre-established in Ministry of Justice public notices, and “Long-Term Resident Not Based on Public Notice,” which is recognized through individual judgment without being based on public notices.
Representative examples of Long-Term Resident Based on Public Notice include “Second and Third Generation Japanese Descendants,” “Spouses of Long-Term Residents,” “Japanese Remaining in China,” and “Third Country Resettlement Refugees.”
There are no work restrictions under the Immigration Control Act, so individuals can engage in a wide range of occupations as long as they comply with labor-related laws and regulations.
The maximum period of stay granted at one time is set at 5 years.
Summary
In this article, we have organized the characteristics of each of the 29 types of statuses of residence.
For foreigners to stay in Japan and build a stable life, it is essential to correctly understand the status of residence system.
Application methods and examination criteria differ significantly for each status of residence, and incorrect understanding can lead to denial of permission or instability in continued residence.
If you feel uncertain or have questions, it is important to consult with an expert early and proceed with procedures based on accurate information.
Primary Sources Referenced in Article Creation
The primary sources referenced in creating this article are as follows:
e-GOV Laws and Regulations Search | Ministerial Ordinance to Provide for Criteria Pursuant to Article 7, Paragraph 1, Item 2 of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/402M50000010016/
Foreigners living in Japan are required to obtain one of the statuses of residence specified in the Immigration Control Act.
Work visas are statuses of residence that allow foreigners to engage in paid employment in Japan, and they are divided into 19 types in total.
There are 5 types of statuses of residence that are not for employment purposes, and they are classified according to the nature of activities such as study abroad and cultural activities.
The Designated Activities status of residence is a status where the Minister of Justice designates the content of activities after considering individual circumstances.
Residence visas are statuses of residence granted based on a foreigner’s status or position, and unlike work visas, there are no restrictions on job duties specific to each status of residence.
