For white-collar roles such as IT, operations, translation, and sales.
Route overview
Japanese employer offer + COE
Typical timeline / duration: 5 years, 3 years, 1 year, or 3 months, as granted by immigration
Important notes
Have a contract with a Japanese public or private organisation for professional work requiring science or engineering knowledge, humanities knowledge, or foreign-culture-based skills.
Usually show a relevant university qualification or sufficient relevant experience; translation, interpreting, and similar roles also need evidence that the language and duties match.
The duties, remuneration, and employer must satisfy the status-of-residence criteria, with remuneration generally no less favourable than that paid to a Japanese worker in comparable work.
The Japanese employer or representative normally applies for a Certificate of Eligibility before the applicant applies for the visa and enters Japan.
Japan's June 2026 guidance reminds applicants that status changes/renewals may require evidence of tax and social-insurance compliance; post-arrival compliance records matter increasingly.
Preparation checklist
Passport, visa application form, and photograph
Employment contract or notification of employment conditions
Certificate of Eligibility where applicable
Degree, transcript, or relevant work-experience evidence
Employer registration, business, and financial documents where required
Translations, qualification verification, and tax or social-insurance compliance evidence where requested