Work permit in Japan

• The status is for work under a contract with a Japanese organisation that needs technical or specialist knowledge in natural or human sciences, or a way of thinking based on a foreign culture. The Agency's examples are mechanical engineers, IT engineers, interpreters, designers, private-company language teachers and marketing staff.
• It is not for professors, artists, journalists, business managers, legal or accounting professionals, doctors, researchers, school instructors, intra-company transferees, care workers or entertainers, which have their own statuses. The Agency lists a separate Specified Skilled Worker status for work-ready foreign nationals in set industries.

Sources: Immigration Services Agency of Japan, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. Checked 17 October 2026.

• The criteria set no minimum salary and no savings, deposit or investment test. They require pay equal to or more than a Japanese national would receive for the same work.

Sources: Immigration Services Agency of Japan. Checked 17 October 2026.

• Your employer's category decides the paperwork: category 1 covers listed companies and public bodies, category 2 organisations whose withheld payroll income tax in the previous year reached the Agency's threshold, category 3 other organisations that filed the statutory payroll totals, and category 4 everyone else. Higher categories file fewer documents.
• The Certificate of Eligibility file includes the application form, a photo, the labour-conditions notice or contract, your CV, and proof of your degree or of your years of work in the field. IT engineers can instead show a pass in a listed information-processing exam, and international-business roles need proof of 3 years' related experience.
• From applications on or after 15 April 2026, employers in categories 3 and 4 also file a declaration about their representative. Where the job mainly uses language with people, such as interpreting or hotel front desk work, proof of CEFR B2-level ability in the working language is required; a JLPT N2 or a Japanese degree counts as B2 for Japanese.

Sources: Immigration Services Agency of Japan. Checked 17 October 2026.

• The employer (or a proxy in Japan) applies for the Certificate of Eligibility at an immigration office, and you then apply for the visa at the Japanese embassy or consulate in your country. A visa application without a Certificate of Eligibility is possible but needs many more documents and could take several months. The pages read give no processing time for the Certificate of Eligibility.
• After landing at an airport such as Narita, Haneda, Chubu, Kansai, New Chitose, Hiroshima or Fukuoka you receive a residence card, and you file a moving-in notification within 14 days of settling at an address. You must also notify the Agency within 14 days if your employer's name or address changes, the contract ends or you sign with a new employer.

Sources: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Immigration Services Agency of Japan. Checked 17 October 2026.

• Citizens of the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand are on the consular lists of nationalities exempt from Japanese visa fees. Nationals who pay face fees such as US$101 for a single entry at the Embassy of Japan in the United States from 1 July 2026.
• From 1 October 2026 the Agency charges for extensions by the length granted: ¥10,000 for up to 3 months, ¥18,000 for over 3 to 6 months, ¥25,000 for under a year, ¥33,000 for one year, ¥48,000 for over one and under three years, ¥64,000 for three to under five years and ¥75,000 for five years or more at the counter. Online filing is cheaper by ¥3,000 to ¥10,000 for stays over three months, plus a transaction fee.

Sources: Consulate-General of Japan in Nashville, Embassy of Japan in the United States, Immigration Services Agency of Japan. Checked 17 October 2026.

• The first permit is for five years, three years, one year or three months, set by the Agency. You apply to extend before it ends, and with a period of six months or more you may apply from three months before it ends.
• To take on work outside what your status allows you need separate permission from an immigration office, and family members on a Dependent status need that permission before they work.

Sources: Immigration Services Agency of Japan. Checked 17 October 2026.

• The Agency says permanent residence normally needs 10 years in Japan. Its draft guideline for applications from 1 April 2027 asks for 10 continuous years, at least five of them on a work or residence status, and looks at household income against the average for a household of your size, your pension outlook, tax and insurance payments, and whether you hold the longest period of stay available.
• A Highly Skilled Professional with 70 points or more can apply after 3 years, and with 80 points or more after 1 year. The application fee for permanent residence is ¥200,000 from 1 October 2026.

Sources: Immigration Services Agency of Japan. Checked 17 October 2026.

• You are a Japanese tax resident if you have a domicile or a residence of a year or more. A non-Japanese person who has lived in Japan for five years or less in the past ten is a non-permanent resident, taxed on Japan income, foreign income paid in Japan and foreign income remitted to Japan, while others are taxed on their whole income.
• National income tax has seven brackets from 5% to 45%, with a 2.1% reconstruction tax on the income tax through 2026, and individual inhabitant taxes are paid to the prefecture and municipality where you are registered on 1 January. The final return falls between 16 February and 15 March, and some salary earners with a single payer and little other income may not need to file.
• Employees of employers that must enrol staff join Employees' Pension Insurance, and employees who are not eligible join the National Pension. Someone who leaves Japan after at least six months of contributions can claim a lump-sum withdrawal payment within two years if they have under 10 years of pension periods.

Sources: National Tax Agency of Japan, Immigration Services Agency of Japan. Checked 17 October 2026.

• Digital nomad visa in Japan
• Family visa in Japan
• Business manager visa in Japan

• Visas in Japan
• Japan

1. Visas to Japan for U.S. Citizens, U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Japan. Checked 16 October 2026.
2. Visa and Travel Information (Embassy of Japan in the United States), Embassy of Japan in the United States (Internet Archive copy captured 28 September 2026). Checked 17 October 2026. Page dated 1 July 2026; opened through the Internet Archive on 17 October 2026. Washington embassy rules, fee exemption for US citizens, visa validity and processing time.
3. U.S. citizens and residents abroad: filing requirements, Internal Revenue Service. Checked 17 October 2026. Page last reviewed or updated 28 September 2026. Citizens and residents abroad generally file as if in the United States; filing depends on gross income from worldwide sources.
4. List of Japan's tax conventions, Ministry of Finance, Japan. Checked 16 October 2026.
5. Status of Agreements in Force (Japan social security agreements; page updated 2 March 2026), Japan Pension Service. Checked 16 October 2026.
6. Status of Residence "Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services" (page in Japanese), Immigration Services Agency of Japan. Checked 17 October 2026. In Japanese; page updated in July 2026. Periods of stay of five years, three years, one year or three months; four employer categories; from applications on or after 15 April 2026, categories 3 and 4 add a declaration about the employer's representative and, for language-based customer-facing work, proof of CEFR B2-level language ability.
7. Japan travel advice and advisories (Government of Canada), Government of Canada (travel.gc.ca). Checked 16 October 2026. Written for Canadian travellers; last updated 13 October 2026. Used for entry rules (no tourist visa for up to 90 days; a visa is needed for paid work), overstaying, medical care and medicines, typhoons, earthquakes, heat waves, crime and the warning about paid work without the right visa.
8. Visa and Consular Section (Embassy of Japan in Canada), Embassy of Japan in Canada, Ottawa (Internet Archive copy). Checked 16 October 2026. Internet Archive capture of 3 October 2026, opened on 16 October 2026. Page dated 1 July 2026: which of the embassy and four consulates general handles which provinces, an English hotline for general visa questions (+1-587-883-9002, 24 hours), appointments for consular services, and a link to Visit Japan Web.
9. Visa and Consul Fees (Embassy of Japan in Canada), Embassy of Japan in Canada (Internet Archive copy captured 3 October 2026). Checked 17 October 2026. Page dated 11 August 2026; opened on 17 October 2026. Visa fees are exempt for Canadian passport holders.
10. Visa FAQ (Embassy of Japan in Canada), Embassy of Japan in Canada, Ottawa (Internet Archive copy). Checked 16 October 2026. Internet Archive capture of 17 September 2024, opened on 16 October 2026, so it may be out of date. Says visa-exempt nationals, including Canadians, do not need a visa for a short visit without paid activities, that most visas are issued in 4 to 7 business days, that cases referred to the ministry in Japan can take 1 to 2 months, and that there is no express service.
11. Tax treaties in force (Japan), Department of Finance Canada. Checked 16 October 2026.
12. Working Holiday Visa for Canadian Citizens (Embassy of Japan in Canada), Embassy of Japan in Canada, Ottawa (Internet Archive copy). Checked 16 October 2026. Internet Archive capture of 4 August 2025, opened on 16 October 2026. The 1986 agreement; a holiday visa, not for people who mainly intend to work; free of charge for Canadian citizens; twice in a lifetime or once for two years from 1 December 2024; where to apply by province. It states no age or funds.
13. Visa Enquiries & FAQ (Embassy of Japan in Australia), Embassy of Japan in Australia (Internet Archive copy). Checked 17 October 2026. Internet Archive capture of 8 June 2026, opened on 16 October 2026. Page dated 1 April 2026, written for Australian passport holders: tourists may stay up to 90 days and may not undertake any form of work, paid or unpaid; entry status cannot in principle be changed once in Japan; which consulate-general serves which state (Sydney for NSW and the Northern Territory, Perth for WA, Brisbane for QLD, Cairns for the Cairns area, Melbourne for VIC, TAS and SA).
14. Visa and Travel Information (Embassy of Japan in Australia), Embassy of Japan in Australia (Internet Archive copy). Checked 17 October 2026. Internet Archive capture of 27 September 2026, opened on 17 October 2026. Page dated 1 July 2026: general visa fees from 1 July 2026 are A$156 (single entry) and A$313 (multiple entry), up from A$31 and A$63; Canberra takes applications only from residents of Canberra and its immediate surrounds.
15. Visa Fee Exemptions, Consulate-General of Japan in Nashville. Checked 17 October 2026. Page dated 6 June 2025 (Reiwa 7); opened through the Internet Archive on 17 October 2026. The list of fee-exempt nationalities names the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
16. Visa Fee Exemption (list), Consulate-General of Japan in Sydney. Checked 17 October 2026. Undated list opened through the Internet Archive on 17 October 2026; names Australia and New Zealand, the U.S.A. and Canada as exempt from visa fees.
17. Income tax treaties (Japan: DTA signed 31 January 2008, in force 3 December 2008), Australian Treasury. Checked 16 October 2026.
18. Working Holiday Visa (Embassy of Japan in Australia), Embassy of Japan in Australia (Internet Archive copy). Checked 16 October 2026. Internet Archive capture of 19 May 2026, opened on 16 October 2026. Page dated 23 January 2026: arrangement started 1 December 1980; Australian citizens living in Australia aged 18 to 30 (until the day they turn 31) who have never held a Japanese working holiday visa; funds of A$2,500 (A$3,500 for a couple); no charge; first stay 6 months, extension at the discretion of Japanese immigration; Canberra and the consulates-general in Sydney, Perth, Brisbane, Cairns and Melbourne.
19. Temporary Visitor's Visa (Embassy of Japan in New Zealand), Embassy of Japan in New Zealand (Internet Archive copy). Checked 16 October 2026. Internet Archive capture of 19 April 2026, opened on 16 October 2026. Page dated 11 March 2026. A visa is for up to 90 days of unpaid activities, paid or profit-making activities are prohibited, some nationalities including New Zealand need no visa for up to 90 days, which office serves which region, no appointment at the counter in Wellington, about 2 to 3 weeks to process, no urgent service, visas valid three months from issue.
20. Frequently Asked Questions (Embassy of Japan in New Zealand), Embassy of Japan in New Zealand (Internet Archive copy). Checked 16 October 2026. Internet Archive capture of 18 February 2026, opened on 16 October 2026. Page dated 16 December 2025. Who may apply at the Wellington embassy (New Zealand passport holders, or holders of a long-term New Zealand visa) and the regions each office serves; no urgent service; in principle a visa type cannot be changed once in Japan, so work needs a work visa obtained abroad.
21. Visa & Certificate Top (Embassy of Japan in New Zealand), Embassy of Japan in New Zealand (Internet Archive copy). Checked 16 October 2026. Internet Archive capture of 20 April 2026, opened on 16 October 2026. Page dated 9 March 2026. Address, telephone and e-mail of the Wellington embassy (Level 18, The Majestic Centre, 100 Willis Street), the Consulate-General in Auckland and the Consular Office in Christchurch, and the regions each serves; visa types listed are temporary visitor, transit, work, student, working holiday, spouse or child of a Japanese national and dependent, with no page for the digital nomad status; advice to take travel insurance; Visit Japan Web.
22. Visa Fees (Embassy of Japan in New Zealand), Embassy of Japan in New Zealand (Internet Archive copy). Checked 16 October 2026. Internet Archive capture of 8 July 2024 (the only capture found; the page is dated 1 April 2024), opened on 16 October 2026. Lists New Zealand among the nationalities exempt from visa fees and says fees are paid in cash when the passport is collected. It is two years old and does not name the digital nomad status.
23. Tax treaties (double tax agreements in force, Japan listed), Inland Revenue (New Zealand), Tax Policy. Checked 16 October 2026.
24. Working Holiday Visa (Embassy of Japan in New Zealand), Embassy of Japan in New Zealand (Internet Archive copy). Checked 16 October 2026. Internet Archive capture of 1 August 2025, opened on 16 October 2026 (a later capture was an access-denied page). Page dated 11 July 2025. Scheme established 1985; New Zealand passport holders residing in New Zealand, aged 18 to 30 inclusive at the time of application, no dependent children; casual or temporary work to supplement travel funds; a second visa allowed from 1 December 2024; bank balance of at least NZ$3,000 (NZ$4,500 for a married couple), NZ$1,000 more if no return ticket yet; at least ten working days to process.
25. Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services: activities and landing criteria (PDF in Japanese), Immigration Services Agency of Japan. Checked 17 October 2026. In Japanese; opened on 17 October 2026. Ministerial criteria: a related degree, or a related vocational course in Japan, or 10 years of practical experience; for work needing a foreign cultural perspective (translation, interpretation, language teaching, publicity, overseas trade, design, product development), 3 years of related experience unless a graduate working in translation, interpretation or language teaching; pay equal to or more than Japanese nationals receive.
26. Work or Long-term stay (visa categories), Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (Internet Archive copy captured 4 October 2026). Checked 17 October 2026. Page dated 22 January 2026; opened through the Internet Archive on 17 October 2026.
27. Visa for Business manager and Engineer/Specialist in humanities/International services, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (Internet Archive copy captured 4 October 2026). Checked 17 October 2026. Page dated 17 March 2023; opened through the Internet Archive on 17 October 2026. Period of stay, Certificate of Eligibility, and the note that a visa application without one can take several months.
28. Guidebook on Living and Working, 7th edition (March 2025), Immigration Services Agency of Japan. Checked 17 October 2026. March 2025 edition, English. Opened on 17 October 2026.
29. Fees for residence procedures for foreign nationals will be revised from October 1, 2026 (leaflet, English), Immigration Services Agency of Japan. Checked 17 October 2026. Counter and online fees by permitted period for change of status and extension (JPY 10,000 to JPY 75,000) and JPY 200,000 for permanent residence; applications received by 30 September 2026 pay the old fees.
30. Revision of residence permission fee amounts from 1 October 2026 (page in Japanese), Immigration Services Agency of Japan. Checked 17 October 2026. In Japanese. In force from 1 October 2026; online applications are paid by convenience-store or bank payment only; counter applications by revenue stamps.
31. Extension of period of stay: application (procedure page, in Japanese), Immigration Services Agency of Japan. Checked 17 October 2026. In Japanese. Apply on or before the day the period of stay ends; with a period of six months or more you may apply from three months before it ends.
32. FAQ on the points-based preferential treatment for highly-skilled foreign professionals (as of April 2026), Immigration Services Agency of Japan. Checked 16 October 2026.
33. Guidelines for permission for permanent residence (draft, in Japanese), Immigration Services Agency of Japan. Checked 17 October 2026. In Japanese; a draft (案) with the revision date left blank, published for the Immigration Policy Round-table of 16 September 2026. It says the revision applies to applications from 1 April 2027.
34. Permanent residence permission application (procedure page, in Japanese), Immigration Services Agency of Japan. Checked 17 October 2026. In Japanese. Fee JPY 200,000 on permission; JPY 10,000 for applications received up to 30 September 2026.
35. 2025 Income Tax and Special Income Tax for Reconstruction Guide: 1-2 Final return and 1-3 Taxpayers and the scope of taxable income, National Tax Agency of Japan. Checked 16 October 2026.
36. No.2260 Income tax rates (page in Japanese, laws as of 1 April 2026), National Tax Agency of Japan. Checked 16 October 2026.
37. No.12011 Final tax return, National Tax Agency of Japan. Checked 16 October 2026.