Q. What is the schedule until a work visa is approved?

  • Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) application: approx. 1–3 months

  • Change of status or extension: approx. 2 weeks to 1.5 months

If you assume one month for preparing documents, the total schedule becomes:

  • CoE application: approx. 2–4 months

  • Change/extension: approx. 1.5–2.5 months

Q. How should we check a foreigner’s visa status when hiring mid-career employees?

A. First, check the Residence Card and confirm whether the work visa category matches the job duties.

If it matches:
(a) If both the previous and new companies are in the same industry and the job duties are almost the same, you simply explain the job duties at the time of renewal.
(b) Otherwise, apply for a Certificate of Authorized Employment, or if renewal is approaching, explain and prove that the job duties fall under the visa category.

If the job duties do not match the current visa, you must consider a Change of Status of Residence.

Q. When should an international student apply to change to a work visa?

A. International students graduating in March may apply for a work visa starting December 1 of the previous year.
This is a very busy season at Immigration, so applying by the end of January is recommended.

A certificate of expected graduation is submitted with the application. After approval, the student shows the original graduation certificate to receive the Residence Card.

Q. Are there procedures required immediately after resignation?

A. A foreign national on a work visa must report their resignation to Immigration within 14 days.
This can be done online.

If employment is not resumed within 3 months after resignation, the work visa may be revoked.

Q. I am staying on a “Temporary Visitor” visa. Can I work in Japan?

A. No. Foreign nationals with Temporary Visitor status cannot work, except for short-term business activities such as business meetings.

Q. If I change jobs, should I obtain a Certificate of Authorized Employment?

A. It is recommended.
However, if the industries and job duties of the previous and new employers are the same, it may not be necessary.

Q. Can I apply for a Certificate of Authorized Employment at the Immigration office that has jurisdiction over my workplace?

A. No. You must apply at the Immigration office that has jurisdiction over your place of residence, not your workplace.

Q. I have a work visa and plan to marry a Japanese woman. Do I need to apply for a change of visa?

A. If you hold “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services” and continue the same job,
you may either:

  • keep your current work visa, or

  • apply to change to Spouse of Japanese National.

If you change to the spouse visa, all work restrictions are removed.

Q. Do foreign nationals married to Japanese citizens need to apply for a work visa?

A. If they already have Spouse or Child of Japanese National status, they may work freely and do not need a work visa.

Q. Which visa types allow work without obtaining a work visa?

A. The following visa types have no work restrictions:

  • Spouse or Child of Japanese National

  • Permanent Resident

  • Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident

  • Long-term Resident

Q. Can temporary staffing workers (haken) obtain a work visa?

A. Yes, for the “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services” visa.
The key points reviewed are:

  • whether the job at the client company fits the visa category, and

  • whether the employment contract with the staffing agency satisfies continuity and stability (contract period, salary, etc.)

Q. Can I extend my work visa while I am outside Japan?

A. No. Visa extension procedures can only be done in Japan.
Even if an agent submits the application, the applicant must be in Japan at the time of submission.

Q. What if my period of stay expires while my application is being processed?

A. A special 2-month period is granted from your original expiry date, during which you may stay under your previous visa.
If the application is denied, you must leave Japan immediately after the denial.

Q. Can I leave Japan during the special 2-month period?

A. Yes, you may.
However, as Immigration may request additional documents, it is best to apply early and wait to receive your new Residence Card before traveling.

Q. When can I apply to renew my work visa?

A. You may apply from 3 months before the expiry date.
In exceptional cases (e.g., long business trips), applications may be accepted earlier.

Q. Can I work part-time under a work visa (Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services)?

A. If the part-time job falls within the same permitted job category, you may be able to work without special permission.
For example, someone engaged in international business may perform translation work.
But if your company’s work rules prohibit side jobs, you cannot do so.

Q. (For companies) How involved should a company be in a student’s work visa application?

A. The law states that the student applies, but in practice students cannot prepare perfect documents alone.
To avoid denial due to incomplete documents, the company should take full responsibility for preparing and checking all documents.

Q. (For companies) How much salary must we pay to obtain a work visa?

A. You must pay a salary that is equal to or higher than that of a Japanese employee in a comparable position.
There is no fixed minimum amount, but the hourly wage must be at least the legal minimum wage.

Q. (For companies) When should we issue an employment offer to students regarding visa application timing?

A. The sequence is:

  1. Issue the job offer (with a conditional clause based on visa approval).

  2. Then apply for the work visa.

Immigration will not approve the visa without submitting the employment contract or offer letter.

Q. (For companies) We gave a job offer, but the student will start in six months. Should they return home?

A. They may apply for Designated Activities (Job-Seeking/Pre-employment) status.
If certain requirements are met, part-time work is allowed.

Q. (For companies) What should be included in an employment contract for international students?

A. Until the work visa is approved, the student cannot start working.
Therefore, the contract must include a “suspensive condition” stating that it takes effect only after visa approval.

Q. (For companies) What should be written in a certificate of employment?

A. There is no fixed format, but include:

  1. Name, nationality, DOB, gender

  2. Department

  3. Date of employment

  4. Position and salary

  5. Job duties

Include the certifier’s company name, address, title, and name at the end.

Q. (For companies) Are we penalized for unknowingly hiring someone who is working illegally?

A. Yes. Even if you did not know, you may be punished if you failed to exercise due diligence.
Always check on the Residence Card:

  1. Status of Residence

  2. Work restrictions

  3. Period of stay
    For part-time workers, also confirm the permission for part-time work on the back.

Q. (For companies) Can we bring the employee’s family to Japan?

A. For visas such as Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services and Designated Activities (No. 46), family can accompany the worker under a Dependent Visa.
Eligible family members are spouse and children only.
It can be applied together with the worker’s visa.