Japan visa and status of residence guide

Compare the main routes for visiting, working, studying, joining family, and living long term in Japan. This overview explains the structure; it does not determine individual eligibility.

Visa and status of residence are not the same thing

A visa is normally used when seeking entry at the border. After landing permission is granted, your status of residence controls what you may do in Japan and for how long.

Visit

Short stays for tourism, visits, meetings, and similar activities. Whether you need a visa before travel depends on nationality and current exemption rules.

Temporary Visitor / 短期滞在

Generally for: Tourism, visiting relatives, short business contact, conferences, and similar short stays.
Work rights: Paid work is generally not permitted.
COE: Not normally used for this route

Work

Activity-based statuses tied to particular kinds of professional or skilled work.

Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services / 技術・人文知識・国際業務

Generally for: Many professional roles in technology, engineering, business, translation, design, and international services.
Work rights: Work must stay within the activities permitted by this status.
COE: Usually part of an overseas application

Highly Skilled Professional / 高度専門職

Generally for: Applicants who qualify under the points system for advanced academic, professional, technical, or business-management activity.
Work rights: Permitted activities depend on the approved HSP category and can include preferential immigration treatment.
COE: Usually part of an overseas application

Business Manager / 経営・管理

Generally for: People managing or operating a qualifying business in Japan.
Work rights: Covers approved business-management activity, not unrestricted employment.
COE: Usually part of an overseas application

Specified Skilled Worker / 特定技能

Generally for: Workers who meet skill and language requirements in designated industrial fields.
Work rights: Work is limited to the designated field and applicable status conditions.
COE: Usually part of an overseas application

Designated Activities / 特定活動

Generally for: Specific programs designated individually, including some working holidays, internships, and digital-nomad stays.
Work rights: Rights vary completely by the activity written in the designation; digital nomads cannot work for a Japanese organization under that status.
COE: Depends on the designated route or circumstances

Study

Study-based residence, with separate permission normally needed for part-time work.

Student / 留学

Generally for: Students enrolled at qualifying universities, schools, Japanese-language institutions, and similar organizations.
Work rights: Work is not automatic. Separate permission for activities outside the status is normally required and limits apply.
COE: Usually part of an overseas application

Family

Family-based routes differ significantly depending on who your spouse or supporting family member is.

Dependent / 家族滞在

Generally for: A supported spouse or child of a qualifying foreign resident.
Work rights: Work is not automatic. Separate permission is usually required and working hours are restricted.
COE: Usually part of an overseas application

Spouse or Child of Japanese National / 日本人の配偶者等

Generally for: A qualifying spouse, biological child, or specially adopted child of a Japanese national.
Work rights: Employment is generally not restricted by occupation, but the status still depends on the qualifying relationship.
COE: Usually part of an overseas application

Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident / 永住者の配偶者等

Generally for: A qualifying spouse of a permanent resident, or certain children born in Japan to a permanent resident.
Work rights: Employment is generally not restricted by occupation.
COE: Usually part of an overseas application

Long-term residence

Status-based residence with broad work rights, but different eligibility and renewal rules.

Long-Term Resident / 定住者

Generally for: People granted residence based on particular circumstances defined or recognized by the Minister of Justice.
Work rights: Employment is generally not restricted by occupation.
COE: Depends on the designated route or circumstances

Permanent Resident / 永住者

Generally for: People approved for permanent residence after meeting the applicable residence and eligibility requirements.
Work rights: Employment is generally unrestricted and there is no period-of-stay renewal, although residence-card procedures still apply.
COE: Not normally used for this route

"Spouse visa" can mean different statuses

A spouse of a Japanese national, a spouse of a permanent resident, and a dependent spouse of a foreign worker do not have the same status or work rights. Always use the official status name.

Certificate of Eligibility (COE)

For many work, study, and family routes, a person or organization in Japan applies for a COE before the applicant applies for a visa overseas.

1A sponsor, school, employer, family member, or authorized representative in Japan commonly submits the application.
2The COE supports the visa application by showing that the planned activity appears to meet landing conditions.
3After issuance, the applicant normally uses the COE for the visa application at the relevant Japanese embassy or consulate.
4A COE is not a visa, status of residence, or guarantee that a visa or landing permission will be granted.
5Check the issue date and current validity rules immediately; do not rely on an old COE.

Official sources

Immigration rules and application documents change. Use this comparison to find the likely category, then confirm the current requirements with the Immigration Services Agency and Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

ISA status of residence list MOFA work and long-term stay MOFA Certificate of Eligibility

This is general educational information, not legal advice. The exact status depends on your activities, qualifications, relationships, documents, and immigration assessment.