BUSINESS
Business
Immigration
When individuals from other countries work in Japan, a working visa is required. However, the type of visa depends on the type of work offered in Japan and the foreign employee's education and work history.
If you do work that is not permitted under your status of residence, it is a crime for both you and your employer, and you will be subject to various sanctions, including fines, imprisonment, and deportation.
The actual visa application will require detailed explanations and substantiating documentation to convince the immigration authorities that the job is suitable for the visa.

1. Work Visa in Japan
The most important step in obtaining work visa in Japan is the actual job description. Each work VISA has a own job description that you can do and you cannot do. The actual work you do must be authorized by your status of residence.
For example, with a status of residence such as "Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services(技術・人文知識・国際業務)" you basically cannot do anything other than office work. You cannot work as a simple labor such as in restaurants, convenience stores or factories. In such cases, you will be recognized with a status of residence called "Specified Skilled Worker (特定技能).
If you do work that is not permitted under your status of residence, it is a crime for both you and your employer. The crime carries a penalty of up to three years in prison or a fine of up to 3 million yen.
The crime can be committed if there is negligence. Even if the employer was unaware that the work was illegal, it is still a crime.
In the actual immigration application process, it is necessary to fully explain to the immigration authorities that the work you will be doing is allowed under the VISA you wish to obtain, attaching evidences in some cases.
In addition, the work must be of sufficient volume and generate sufficient remuneration in order to qualify for the VISA. Your educational background, the size of your company, the contents of the documents you submit, and many other factors will affect the Immigration Office's screening process.
The requirements and application procedures for a work VISA vary depending on the type of VISA; If you have any concerns about obtaining a VISA.
Please let us know your current situation. We will suggest the best way to help you.
Consultation Example
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Obtaining work visa in Japan
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Hiring foreign personnel
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Inviting foreign employee from overseas
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Renewing your current work visa
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Want to request the preparation of application documents for a Specified Skilled Worker (特定技能)
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Changing jobs
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Changing current visa status to "Highly Skilled Professional (高度専門職)"
技術・人文知識・国際業務
Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services
高度専門職
Highly Skilled Professional
技能
Skilled Labor
介護
Care Worker
特定技能
Specified Skilled Worker
興行
Entertainer
Types of Work Visa
2. "Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services" which allows for a wide range of occupations and work.
The " Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services " visa allows for wide range of occupations and work among all types of Work visas and allows foreign residents to engage in work that makes use of their specialized knowledge based on their own academic or professional backgrounds. Freelancers are also eligible for this visa, as long as they are engaged in work based on their specialized knowledge. These works are only professional works and cannot be engaged in work that is considered simple labor.
The application must be accompanied by documents that prove the applicant's own education and experience. Education and work experience in a field completely unrelated to the work to be engaged in will not be sufficient to obtain this visa.
As a general rule, only work that has been submitted to the Immigration Bureau can be engaged in, and the workload must be sufficient amount throughout a year.
Other factors that are subject to examination include the employer's business establishment in Japan, payment of remuneration equal to or greater than that of a Japanese national, the size and stability of the company, and the foreign national's own past residency status.
※There are cases where simple labor work is permitted, but only to a limited extent.
There is room for simple labor work to be permitted only in the case of so-called "entry-level training," in which the applicant is required to perform general company duties, including simple labor work, for a certain period of time at the beginning of employment to ensure that he/she understands the general operations of the company. If such training is included, it should be submitted to the Immigration Bureau in advance. If the worker is only required to perform simple labor without engaging in the original work that has been submitted to the Immigration Bureau, it is considered illegal employment.
Examples of work that can be engaged with this visa
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Engineer field
System engineer, programmer, design/development, etc.
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Humanities field
Accounting, finance, General office work, accounting, consulting, etc.
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International business field
Activities requiring specialized skills based on foreign cultures, such as translation, interpretation, language instruction, trade operations, design, and product development.
3. Work visa for Freelance Contracts (Sole Proprietorship)
Freelance engineers, English teachers, interpreters, creators, etc.
Even if you are not employed by a specific company or organization, you can obtain a freelance work visa by entering into a outsourcing contract or contracting agreement.
One of the most important requirements for obtaining a freelance work visa is the expectation of a stable income equivalent to the average Japanese compensation. Therefore, it is ideal to have a continuous contract with a specific company. Contracts with multiple companies are also acceptable. In addition, the actual work must be of the type permitted by the work visa that you plan to obtain, and you must meet personal requirements such as educational background. The most typical work visa for freelance contracts is called a "Technical, Humanities, and International Services visa".
Because it is more difficult for freelancer to prove income stability, immigration inspections tend to be more stringent than for employees of regular companies. If you are interested in obtaining this visa, please feel free to contact us.
Examples of Freelance Contracts
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Interpreters
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Translator
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Language Tutor
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Writer
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Accountant
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Graphic Designer
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Cybersecurity developer
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SEO specialist
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IT support specialist
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Web designer
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Web developer
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Programmer
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Business consultant
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Financial consultant
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Marketing consultant
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Data analyst
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Project manager
4. Starting a Business in Japan
To run a company in Japan, a visa called “Business Management” is required. There are no restrictions on the type of business as long as it is conducted legally, but you must be able to provide 5 million yen in capital (if you do not employ employees), have established a company before applying. In addition, a solid business plan must be prepared to prove to the Immigration Bureau that the company will be able to conduct business stably and continuously in the future.
Also, this visa is for company management. Therefore, on-site work such as cook or waiter / waitress is not allowed.
If you are a sole proprietor without employees and your business corresponds to office work, you may apply for a regular work permit,Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services(技術・人文知識・国際業務) (e.g., freelance engineer). In this case, it is important that you can secure a sufficient and stable income for the future.
We will be happy to discuss the details with you at the hearing and confirm what procedures will be required.
Business Visa Checklist
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A visa called "Business Manager(経営・管理)" is required
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Requirement to be able to provide 5 million yen in capital or to employ 2 employees
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The company must be established before applying
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prove with documents that the business can be conducted stably and continuously
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As a sole proprietor without employees, you may apply for a regular work permit, Engineer/Specialist in Humanities /International Services(技術・人文知識・国際業務)
5. Licenses and Permits other than VISA
If you would like to start a business in Japan, Some official licenses may be required whether you are a company or an individual.
For example, an “Secondhand dealer license” is required to buy and sell used goods.
To operate a restaurant, you need a “restaurant business license”, and furthermore, to serve alcohol after midnight, you need to submit the notification to the police station in advance.
To sit and talk with customers or provide entertainment (live music, dancing, etc.), an License for “Amusement Entertainment Businesses” is also required.
Our firm also undertakes the acquisition of such business licenses.
Please contact us and we will confirm that the necessary requirements are in place and provide you with a written estimate in advance. We can also consult with you on permits not listed here.
Examples of
Licenses and Permits
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Secondhand dealer's license
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Restaurant Business License
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Notification of Late-Night Alcoholic Beverage Service
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License for Amusement Entertainment Businesses
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Vehicle registration, garage certification
簡単な自己紹介
人にはそれぞれストーリーがあり、訪問者は興味を持っています。ここはあなた自身やあなたのウェブサイトについて詳しく説明するのに最適なスペースです。テキストボックスをダブルクリックしてコンテンツの編集を始め、サイトの訪問者に伝えたい情報をここに追加してください。
ここで、仕事のきっかけやたどってきた道のりなどを共有してください。あなたの強み、コアバリュー、職場へのコミットメントを共有してください。写真、ギャラリー、ビデオを追加すると、エンゲージメントが高まります。
Cost & Time
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Preparation at the lowest cost
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Difficulty communicating in Japanese
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Prefer an interview via online
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Prefer a private visit to your place in case of urgency
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Lack of time to collect documents for VISA application
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Lack of time before the VISA deadline?
Knowledge
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Worrying about VISA application by youtself
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Suitable VISA category
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Is your current job legal?
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Past VISA application by yourself was not successful
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The possibility of obtaining a VISA
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Difficulty obtaining the necessary permits and licenses for VISA application?
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