Living
Labour Card
Only four visas allow the holder to be employed: special, diplomatic, official and working. Visas are valid for six months, one year or three years, after which the holder must apply for an extension. If you plan to leave the country and come back, you will need to purchase a re-entry permit (one time ¥3,000 or multiple ¥6,000).
To apply for a work visa, you must first apply for a certificate of eligibility (zairyū shikaku nintei shōmeisho), a process usually handled by your employer before you arrive. There are 14 types of work visas: professor, artist, religious activities, journalist, investor/business manager, legal/accounting services, medical services, researcher, instructor, engineer, specialist in humanities/international services, intracompany transferee, skilled labourer and entertainer. If you switch fields, you may need to apply for a Change of Status.
To apply, you will need your CV, university degree (original, not a copy) and employment agreement (this must specify position, salary, job description and length of contract). The employer will need to supply an official registration form (tōkibo tōhon), a recent profit and loss report (son-eki keisansho) and company literature. Fill out the application form, attach a photograph (4cm x 3cm), and include a return envelope with ¥430 postage affixed and addressed to your employer. There is no application fee. The process takes one to three months.
Normally, the employer will forward the certificate of eligibility on to the employee, who can then apply for a work visa at a Japanese embassy or consulate overseas. If the applicant is in Japan, and their period of temporary landing permission (zairyū kikan) has not passed, they can apply for a Change of Status (zairyū shikaku no henkō) at the immigration bureau. If the Certificate of Eligibility does not arrive before the visit visa date stamped in your passport expires, you will need to leave and re-enter Japan. For a list of immigration offices and to download application forms, see the Ministry of Justice website (www.immi-moj.go.jp).
To apply for a work visa, you must first apply for a certificate of eligibility (zairyū shikaku nintei shōmeisho), a process usually handled by your employer before you arrive. There are 14 types of work visas: professor, artist, religious activities, journalist, investor/business manager, legal/accounting services, medical services, researcher, instructor, engineer, specialist in humanities/international services, intracompany transferee, skilled labourer and entertainer. If you switch fields, you may need to apply for a Change of Status.
To apply, you will need your CV, university degree (original, not a copy) and employment agreement (this must specify position, salary, job description and length of contract). The employer will need to supply an official registration form (tōkibo tōhon), a recent profit and loss report (son-eki keisansho) and company literature. Fill out the application form, attach a photograph (4cm x 3cm), and include a return envelope with ¥430 postage affixed and addressed to your employer. There is no application fee. The process takes one to three months.
Normally, the employer will forward the certificate of eligibility on to the employee, who can then apply for a work visa at a Japanese embassy or consulate overseas. If the applicant is in Japan, and their period of temporary landing permission (zairyū kikan) has not passed, they can apply for a Change of Status (zairyū shikaku no henkō) at the immigration bureau. If the Certificate of Eligibility does not arrive before the visit visa date stamped in your passport expires, you will need to leave and re-enter Japan. For a list of immigration offices and to download application forms, see the Ministry of Justice website (www.immi-moj.go.jp).
