Section Two: Visas and Status of Residence

 

This section provides an overview of the various entry procedures required to work and live in Japan. This section also includes a description of the types of work visas available to foreign companies, foreign staff, and the family of foreign nationals.

 

2.1   Entry Procedures

2.2   Relation Between Visa and Status of Residence

2.3   Process from Acquisition of Certificate of Eligibility to Acquisition of Visa

2.4   Types of Working Statuses

2.5   Temporary Visitor Visa and Status

2.6   Reciprocal Visa Exemptions for Temporary Visitor

2.7   Resident Card

2.8   Re-Entry Permission

2.9   Family Members Accompanying Working Foreign Nationals

2.10 Extension of Period of Stay and Change of Status of Residence

2.11 Points-Based Preferential Immigration Treatment for Highly-Skilled Foreign Professionals

 

2.2 Relation Between Visa and Status of Residence

Within the context of entry and residence procedures, visa and status of residence are two terms easily and often confused.

 

2.2.1 Visa

A visa is a recommendation required for entry into Japan received in advance from a Japanese diplomatic mission abroad that certifies that the passport is a valid passport and that there are no impediments to allowing the passport holder to enter Japan within the scope of that visa (however, as discussed later in 2.6 and 2.8 below, this visa requirement does not apply to entry by nationals of countries with which Japan has reciprocal visa exemption arrangements for temporary visitor or to entry by foreign nationals having re-entry permission).

 

2.2.2 Status of Residence

Foreign nationals entering and residing in Japan must generally receive landing permission upon arriving at their port of entry, at which time their status of residence in Japan will be determined. In other words, the status of residence constitutes the grounds on which a foreign national is permitted to stay in Japan; it is a qualification enabling the foreign national to carry out the activities stipulated in the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act and to reside in Japan for the purpose of carrying out those particular activities. The scope of activities in which a foreign national may engage during his/her stay in Japan is determined according to his/her status of residence. Except where a permit to engage in an activity other than that permitted by the status of residence is obtained, the foreign national must not, in principle, engage in any activities generating an income other than those permitted by his/her status of residence.

 

2.3   Process from Acquisition of Certificate of Eligibility to Acquisition of Visa | NEXT >