Section 2. Visas and Status of Residence

2.5 Temporary visitor visa and status of residence

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Temporary visitor status covers tourism, recuperation, sports, visits to relatives, field trips, participation in short courses or meetings, business liaison and similar activities undertaken staying temporarily in Japan. Holders of temporary visitor status may not engage in working activities (receiving remuneration or operating a business that generates income). Some concrete examples of the type of person involved in business who would be covered by this status are as follows:

Staying in Japan for the purpose of field trips and inspections (e.g. plant tours and trade fair visits)
Participating in seminars and briefings organized by companies
Participating in conferences and other meetings
Travelling to Japan for business liaison, business negotiations, contract signing, after-sales service, advertising or publicity, market research or other short-term business activities

Market research and other activities in preparation for investing in and commencing a business in Japan are normally considered to fall under temporary visitor status. The periods of stay determined based on the temporary visitor status is basically within either 90 days, 30 days, or 15 days.

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Laws and Regulations on Setting Up Business in Japan Pamphlet

The pamphlet "Laws & Regulations" is available in PDF, and outlines basic information about laws, regulations and procedures related to setting up a business in Japan. It is available in 8 languages (Japanese, English, German, French, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Korean and Vietnamese).
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Section2. Documents businesses are required to submit to authorities

Section	Documents	Where documents are listed within the URL	The competent authorities and relevant web pages
2.4.2	Application for a Certificate of Eligibility (Business Manager)	Please click the Language selection panel and choose your language. See Application for Certificate of Eligibility ⇒ Documents to be submitted.	Immigration Services Agency
2.4.2	Application for a Certificate of Eligibility (Highly Skilled Professionals)	Please click the Language selection panel and choose your language. See 2 Regarding application documents, etc.	Immigration Services Agency
2.4.2	Application for a Certificate of Eligibility (Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services)	Please click the Language selection panel and choose your language. See Application for Certificate of Eligibility ⇒ Documents to be submitted.	Immigration Services Agency
2.4.2	Application for a Certificate of Eligibility (Intra-company Transferee)	Please click the Language selection panel and choose your language. See Application for Certificate of Eligibility ⇒ Documents to be submitted.	Immigration Services Agency
2.4.2	Application for a Certificate of Eligibility (Legal / Accounting services)	Please click the Language selection panel and choose your language. See Application for Certificate of Eligibility ⇒ Documents to be submitted.	Immigration Services Agency
2.4.2	Application for a Certificate of Eligibility (Skilled Labor)	Please click the Language selection panel and choose your language. See "When attempting to engage in activities as a chef" or "When attempting to engage in activities other than being a chef" ⇒ Application for Certificate of Eligibility ⇒ Documents to be submitted.	Immigration Services Agency
2.4.2	Application for a Certificate of Eligibility (Specified Skilled Worker)	Please click the Language selection panel and choose your language. See Application for Certificate of Eligibility.	Immigration Services Agency
2.4.3	Visa application form to enter Japan	See Visa application form in Chapter 3. ⇒Visa Application Documents (download)/ See format.	Ministry of Foreign Affairs
2.7.5	Notification of a change of an item on the residence card	See Format	Immigration Services Agency
2.7.5	Application for extension of the valid period on the residence card	See Format	Immigration Services Agency
2.7.5	Application for re-issuance of a residence card	See Format	Immigration Services Agency
2.7.8 (1)	Notification of affiliated (contracting) organization (Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services)	Please click the Language selection panel and choose your language. See Notification form reference form 1 to 4.	Immigration Services Agency
2.7.8 (1)	Notification of affiliated (activity) organization (Intra-company Transferee or Business Manager)	Please click the Language selection panel and choose your language. See Notification form reference form 1 to 4.	Immigration Services Agency
2.7.8 (2)	Notification of relationship with spouse (divorce/death)	Please click the Language selection panel and choose your language. See Notification form reference form.	Immigration Services Agency
2.8.4	Application for re-entry permission	Please click the Language selection panel and choose your language. See Application form/required documents, etc.	Immigration Services Agency
2.9	Application form for issuance of a Certificate of Eligibility (Dependent)	Please click the Language selection panel and choose your language. See Application for Certificate of Eligibility.	Immigration Services Agency
2.9	Application for permission to engage in activity other than that permitted under the status of residence previously granted	Please click the Language selection panel and choose your language. See Application form/required documents/number of copies.	Immigration Services Agency
2.10.1	Application for extension of period of stay (Intra-company Transferee)	Please click the Language selection panel and choose your language. See Application form for extension of period of stay ⇒ Documents to be submitted.	Immigration Services Agency
2.10.1	Application for extension of period of stay (Business Manager)	Please click the Language selection panel and choose your language. See Application form for extension of period of stay ⇒ Documents to be submitted.	Immigration Services Agency
2.10.1	Application for extension of period of stay (Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services)	Please click the Language selection panel and choose your language. See Application form for extension of period of stay ⇒ Documents to be submitted.	Immigration Services Agency
2.10.2	Application for change of status of residence (Intra-company Transferee)	Please click the Language selection panel and choose your language. See Application for permission to change status of residence ⇒ Documents to be submitted.	Immigration Services Agency
2.10.2	Application for change of status of residence (Business Manager)	Please click the Language selection panel and choose your language. See Application for permission to change status of residence ⇒ Documents to be submitted.	Immigration Services Agency
2.10.2	Application for change of status of residence (Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services)	Please click the Language selection panel and choose your language. See Application for permission to change status of residence ⇒ Documents to be submitted.	Immigration Services Agency

Materials listed as ‘Reference’ contain samples of documents regarding registration, visa, taxation, personnel and labor matters that are necessary when a foreign company establishes a corporation or other entity in Japan. These documents are not published by competent authorities and therefore are not official. For those who are going through the official procedures, please obtain the latest official documents from the competent authorities and related bodies or consult a person who specializes in advising on such information and procedures.

The information contained in this documents should be used at the reader’s independent discretion. While JETRO makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information it provides, no responsibility is accepted by JETRO for any loss or damage incurred as a result of actions based on the information provided in these documents or provided by the external links listed on these pages.

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