What requirements must I meet to obtain a work visa in Japan?
To obtain a work visa you must meet three conditions: (1) the work itself requires specialist knowledge or skills, (2) the hiring company is properly set up to employ a foreign national, and (3) you satisfy the education or experience requirement. The benchmark is a university degree, or ten years of practical experience in place of it.
The enquiry
- Category: Status of residence (visa)
- Type: Work visa application
- Situation: Vietnamese national, male, 30, single. Five years of practical experience as an engineer. Japanese level JLPT N3. Has received a job offer from a Japanese company and wants to apply for a work visa.
- Question: What requirements must I meet to obtain a work visa, and what documents does the application need?
Answer from the immigration lawyer
Thank you for your question. Let us start with the education and experience requirement. A work visa requires either a university degree or ten years of practical experience. With five years of experience, experience alone does not meet the requirement. If you hold a university degree, you may well satisfy it that way.
The three conditions you must meet
- The work itself
The job you will do in Japan must require specialist knowledge or skills. Work as an engineer is generally considered to qualify. - The company
The hiring company must operate lawfully and be properly set up to employ foreign nationals. - Japanese ability
You must be able to communicate well enough to do the job. A JLPT certificate itself is not mandatory.
Documents required
- Application for Certificate of Eligibility
- Passport
- Photograph
- CV / resume
- Graduation certificate
- Statement of work history
- A document from your previous employer certifying your duties and length of experience
- Letter of job offer
- Company documents (certificate of registered matters, financial statements, etc.)
Other documents may be required depending on your circumstances. Screening for work visas is strict, so please talk to us while you are still gathering the paperwork.
Frequently asked questions
What if I have less than ten years of experience?
We check whether you meet the education requirement instead. With a university degree, the number of years of experience is not asked. Graduates of a vocational school (senmonshi) may also qualify where the subject studied connects to the work.
Is a JLPT certificate mandatory?
No. However, whether you can communicate well enough for the job is taken into account during screening.
How long does screening take?
Roughly one to three months until the Certificate of Eligibility is issued. It varies with the season and the contents of the application.
Consultations about work visas are free
A certified immigration lawyer will answer your own situation directly. We accept enquiries in Japanese, English, Vietnamese, Chinese, Portuguese and Indonesian.
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This article is a general explanation. Rules change, and the outcome depends on individual circumstances. Please check the Immigration Services Agency website for the latest information, or consult our immigration lawyers.