Status of Residence in Japan: Meaning, Visa Difference, and All 29 Types

A status of residence (在留資格, commonly called a “visa”) is the legal qualification under the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act (ICRRA) that allows a foreign national to stay in Japan and engage in specified activities. It is not the same as a visa: a visa is the entry document issued by a Japanese embassy or consulate abroad, while the status of residence is what you hold, change, and extend while in Japan. As of October 2026, there are 29 categories of residence status, covering employment, family, study, and designated activities (Immigration Services Agency, “List of Statuses of Residence”, in Japanese). Of the 29, 19 are work statuses (Tables 1 and 2 of Appended Table I of the ICRRA), five are non-working statuses (Tables 3 and 4 of the same Table), one is Designated Activities (Table 5 of the same Table), and four are statuses based on personal status or position (Appended Table II). Highly Skilled Professional, Specified Skilled Worker, and Technical Intern Training each count as one status, even though they are divided into types such as (i) and (ii). Recent reforms (including the October 2025 Business Manager visa overhaul and the Employment for Skill Development Program scheduled to take effect on April 1, 2027) are reshaping the landscape.

Basic Concepts and Legal Status of Residence Statuses

What Is the Status of Residence?

A status of residence is a qualification under the ICRRA that combines two elements, “activity” and “residence,” and allows a foreign national to stay in Japan and engage in certain activities. In short, it is the qualification required for foreign nationals to stay in Japan.

Foreign nationals who wish to engage in activities in Japan can do so by being granted residence status as specified in the ICRRA. Those without a residence status are considered to be staying in Japan illegally and may be subject to deportation proceedings.

The Legal Basis for Residence Status

In Japan, the residence status system manages foreign nationals’ entry, exit, and stay. This system is based on the legal status of residence under the ICRRA.

The ICRRA specifies the permitted activities of foreign nationals residing in Japan, thereby clarifying their legal status.

Compatibility with the Status of Residence and with Landing Permission Criteria

When applying for a residence status, it is important to understand two concepts: compatibility with the status of residence, and compatibility with landing permission criteria.

Compatibility with the status of residence means that the activities a foreign national intends to engage in within Japan fall within the activities permitted under that status of residence. For instance, individuals with an ‘Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services’ residence status must be actively involved in the permitted business activities.

Compatibility with landing permission criteria means that the conditions for landing in Japan (landing permission criteria) set for each residence status are met. These conditions are set out in a Ministry of Justice ordinance (the Ministerial Ordinance to Provide for Criteria Pursuant to Article 7, Paragraph 1, Item 2 of the ICRRA).

Landing permission criteria do not exist for every status of residence. They apply, in addition to compatibility with the status of residence, to statuses for which the scope of acceptance needs to be adjusted in light of the impact on the economy and national life (the statuses in Tables 2 and 4 of Appended Table I of the ICRRA).

Types and Characteristics of Residence Statuses That Allow Employment

Among the residence statuses in Japan, those that allow employment are broadly divided into ‘employment statuses with activity restrictions’ and ‘statuses based on personal status or position, without activity restrictions.’ For details on work visa application procedures, see our “Basic Guide to Applying for a Work Visa”. The following is an overview of the main categories that allow employment.

Residence Statuses That Allow Employment (with Activity Restrictions)

These residence statuses allow employment in specific occupations or activities.

Highly Skilled Professionals

Highly Skilled Professional (i): This residence status is granted to highly skilled personnel who meet the criteria set by Ministry of Justice ordinance (the so-called points system, based on total points for items such as educational background, work experience, and annual income). It offers preferential treatment in immigration control, and the period of stay is five years.

Highly Skilled Professional (ii): This residence status is available to those who have engaged in Highly Skilled Professional (i) activities. It allows the holder to engage in almost all work activities and provides preferential treatment, such as an indefinite period of stay. For details, see our Highly Skilled Professional visa guide.

Specialized and Technical Fields

Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services: This residence status is for individuals engaged in work requiring specialized knowledge or skills, such as mechanical engineers, interpreters, designers, and language instructors. The period of stay is selected from 5 years, 3 years, 1 year, or 3 months. For details, see our Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services visa guide.

Business Manager: This residence status is for managers and executives of companies and other organizations. It applies to foreign nationals who establish and manage a company in Japan. The period of stay is 5 years, 3 years, 1 year, 6 months, 4 months, or 3 months.

Important: As of October 16, 2025, the Business Manager visa requirements have been significantly reformed. New requirements include a minimum capital of JPY 30 million, at least one full-time employee, and Japanese language proficiency equivalent to B2 or higher on Japan’s CEFR-based Reference Framework for Japanese Language Education, held by either the applicant or a full-time employee. The full-time employee must be a Japanese national, a special permanent resident, or a holder of a status in Appended Table II (such as Permanent Resident or Long-Term Resident); holders of statuses such as Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services do not count. Existing holders who apply for an extension by October 16, 2028 are not refused solely for not yet meeting the new requirements. For details, see our guide: “Japan Business Manager Visa 2025 Reform: New JPY 30M Capital Requirement Explained”.

Professor: This residence status is for academic researchers such as university professors. The period of stay is 5 years, 3 years, 1 year, or 3 months.

Medical Services: This residence status is for medical professionals such as doctors, dentists, and nurses. The period of stay is 5 years, 3 years, 1 year, or 3 months.

Legal/Accounting Services: This residence status is for attorneys, certified public accountants, and similar professionals. The period of stay is 5 years, 3 years, 1 year, or 3 months. It covers legal or accounting work that by law may only be carried out by registered foreign lawyers, foreign certified public accountants, or others with legal qualifications.

Researcher: This residence status is for researchers at government-related institutions, private companies, and similar organizations. The period of stay is 5 years, 3 years, 1 year, or 3 months. Research at universities and similar institutions falls under the ‘Professor’ status instead.

Instructor: This residence status is for language teachers and others at junior high schools, high schools, and similar schools. The period of stay is 5 years, 3 years, 1 year, or 3 months. Language teachers at private companies fall under the ‘Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services’ status instead.

Specific Industry Fields

Specified Skilled Worker: This status is for foreign workers in labor-shortage sectors. Specified Skilled Worker (i) (SSW-1) allows a cumulative stay of up to five years (six years where there are justifiable reasons); Specified Skilled Worker (ii) (SSW-2) has no renewal limit and permits family accompaniment. Following the Cabinet decision of June 9, 2023, SSW-2 was expanded from 2 to 11 eligible fields (Immigration Services Agency, “Addition of fields eligible for Specified Skilled Worker (ii)”, in Japanese).

Technical Intern Training: This status allows a maximum stay of five years (Types 1 to 3 combined) for the purpose of international skills transfer. The new Employment for Skill Development Program is scheduled to take effect on April 1, 2027, and the Technical Intern Training Program will be phased out (transitional measures apply to those in technical intern training on the effective date; see Immigration Services Agency, “Employment for Skill Development”, in Japanese). The new system permits a change of employer at the worker’s own request under certain conditions, a departure from the current framework.

Other Work Qualifications

Nursing Care: A residence status for care workers, with a stay of 5 years, 3 years, 1 year, or 3 months.

Skilled Labor: A residence status for people with specialized skills, such as foreign chefs and sports instructors. The period of stay is 5 years, 3 years, 1 year, or 3 months.

Intra-company Transferee: A residence status for transferees from overseas offices, with a stay of 5 years, 3 years, 1 year, or 3 months.

Artist: A residence status for composers, painters, writers, and others, with a stay of 5 years, 3 years, 1 year, or 3 months. It covers artistic activities that produce income.

Religious Activities: A residence status for missionaries and others dispatched by foreign religious organizations, with a stay of 5 years, 3 years, 1 year, or 3 months.

Journalist: A residence status for reporters and photographers of foreign news organizations, with a stay of 5 years, 3 years, 1 year, or 3 months. It covers news coverage and other journalistic activities based on a contract with a foreign news organization.

Entertainer: A residence status for actors, singers, dancers, professional athletes, and others, with a stay of 3 years, 1 year, 6 months, 3 months, or 30 days.

Diplomat and Official

Diplomat: A residence status for ambassadors, ministers, consuls general, members of delegations of foreign governments, and others, and their families. The period of stay is the period during which diplomatic activities are performed.

Official: A residence status for staff of foreign embassies and consulates, persons dispatched on official business by international organizations, and others, and their families. The period of stay is 5 years, 3 years, 1 year, 3 months, 30 days, or 15 days.

Status of Residence Based on Status or Position (No Restrictions on Activities)

These residence statuses are based on specific status or position, and holders can engage in any occupation in Japan.

Permanent Resident: The status of those who have received permission for permanent residence from the Minister of Justice. The period of stay is indefinite.

The 2024 ICRRA amendment adds new grounds for revoking the Permanent Resident status, scheduled to take effect on April 1, 2027. The added grounds are failing to comply with obligations under the ICRRA (such as carrying and renewing the residence card), willfully failing to pay taxes and public charges (including social insurance premiums), and being sentenced to imprisonment for certain crimes.

In October 2026, the Immigration Services Agency established the “Guidelines on Revocation of the Status of Residence of Permanent Residents” (in Japanese), which will be applied from April 1, 2027, the same date the amendment takes effect. Even where one of these grounds applies, the Minister of Justice will, ex officio, change the status to another status such as “Long-Term Resident” unless it is found inappropriate for the person to continue residing in Japan.

In addition, the Guidelines for Permission for Permanent Residence were revised on October 1, 2026, and Japanese language ability, household income level, and expected pension benefits are now among the factors considered. The revised guidelines generally apply to applications filed on or after April 1, 2027; however, two items (the household income level and the requirement not to be a burden on the public) also apply to applications filed on or after April 1, 2026 that were still under review on October 1, 2026. The application fee for permanent residence was revised on October 1, 2026. For the current amount, please check the Immigration Services Agency fee list. For details, see our permanent residence guide.

Spouse or Child of Japanese National: A residence status granted to spouses, biological children, and specially adopted children of Japanese nationals, with a period of stay of 5 years, 3 years, 1 year, or 6 months. For details, see our spouse visa guide.

Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident: A status of residence granted to spouses of permanent residents or special permanent residents, and biological children born in Japan who have continued to reside in Japan. The period of stay is 5 years, 3 years, 1 year, or 6 months.

Long-Term Resident: This residence status is granted to refugees resettled from third countries, third-generation Japanese descendants (Nikkei), Japanese left behind in China, and others. The period of stay is 5 years, 3 years, 1 year, 6 months, or a period individually designated by the Minister of Justice (not exceeding 5 years). There are no restrictions on the type of work holders can engage in.

Overview of Non-Working Residence Statuses

Non-working residence status refers to residence status that does not have employment in Japan as its main purpose. In principle, you cannot work in Japan with these statuses.

Main Non-Working Residence Statuses

Student: This residence status is for students enrolled in universities, vocational schools, Japanese language schools, etc. The period of stay is a period individually designated by the Minister of Justice (not exceeding 4 years and 3 months). In principle, you cannot work, but with permission to engage in activities other than those permitted under your status of residence, you can work part-time for up to 28 hours per week (up to 8 hours per day during your school’s long vacation periods).

Dependent: This residence status is for spouses and children of foreign nationals in Japan under a work visa or other status. The period of stay is a period individually designated by the Minister of Justice (not exceeding 5 years). In principle, employment is not permitted, but with permission to engage in activities other than those permitted under the status of residence, part-time work of up to 28 hours per week is possible.

Cultural Activities: This residence status is for researchers of Japanese culture who will stay for 3 years, 1 year, 6 months, or 3 months. Employment is not permitted.

Temporary Visitor: This is a status of residence for tourists, conference participants, etc., with a period of stay of 90 days, 30 days, or 15 days. Employment is not permitted.

Trainee: This residence status is for trainees, with a period of stay of 1 year, 6 months, or 3 months. It covers activities to acquire skills while accepted by a public or private organization in Japan, and is separate from the Technical Intern Training status. Employment is not permitted.

Designated Activities

Designated Activities is a broad category with many subcategories, covering activities specifically designated by the Minister of Justice for individual foreign nationals. In addition to traditional types (domestic workers of diplomats, working holiday makers), recent additions include:

• Digital Nomad visa (Public Notice No. 53): requirements include an annual income of ¥10 million or more at the time of application, and the period of stay is six months (not renewable). Eligible countries and regions are published on the Immigration Services Agency page (in Japanese)
• Startup Visa (Foreign Entrepreneur Promotion Program): allows up to two years of business start-up preparation under the management and support of a local government or private operator certified by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry (Immigration Services Agency, “Startup-related measures”, in Japanese), before transitioning to a Business Manager visa

Whether employment is permitted depends on the specific designation.

Key Points and Precautions for Selecting a Residence Status

Criteria for Selecting a Residence Status

When selecting a residence status, it is essential to consider the following points.

1. Compatibility with your planned activities: You must confirm that your planned activities are permitted under the residence status you select.
2. Length of stay: Each status of residence has a specified period of stay. If you plan to stay in Japan for an extended period, consider a status of residence that allows for a more extended stay.
3. Possibility of changing your residence status: If you plan to engage in different activities, the ease of changing your residence status is also an essential factor to consider.

Special Provisions for Foreign Nationals Raised in Japan

Foreign nationals who were raised in Japan are subject to special employment treatment. Those who accompanied their parents and reside under the ‘Dependent’ status, entered Japan before the age of 18, and graduated from a Japanese high school may, if they meet certain requirements, be eligible to change to the ‘Long-Term Resident’ or ‘Designated Activities’ status of residence when they take up employment (for ‘Long-Term Resident’, the requirements include graduation from elementary and junior high school in Japan). For details, see the Immigration Services Agency guidance (in Japanese).

Change from Non-Employment to Employment

When changing from a non-working residence status (such as student or dependent) to a working residence status, you must meet the requirements for the new status. For example, international students who wish to work must change their residence status to one corresponding to their academic background and job type.

Maintaining Eligibility for Residence Status

Even after obtaining a residence status, it is important to continue engaging in activities corresponding to that status. For example, if a person with an ‘Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services’ residence status resigns from their company, they must either find another appropriate employer or change to a different residence status. Otherwise, their compatibility with the status of residence may be denied, and they may be subject to revocation or denial of renewal.

How to Apply for a Residence Status

There are three main procedures, depending on whether the person is being invited from abroad, is already in Japan and changing status, or is extending the current status.

Inviting Someone from Abroad (Application for Certificate of Eligibility)

An application for a Certificate of Eligibility is filed before entry to certify that the activities of a foreign national who intends to enter Japan meet the conditions for landing, such as falling under one of the statuses of residence (other than Temporary Visitor and Permanent Resident) (ICRRA Article 7-2). By submitting or presenting the issued certificate when applying for a visa at a Japanese embassy or consulate and at landing, the person can promptly obtain the visa and landing permission. For the steps from application to entry, see our Certificate of Eligibility application guide.

Changing Status While in Japan (Application for Permission to Change Status of Residence)

An application for permission to change status of residence is filed by a foreign national residing in Japan who intends to change the purpose of their stay and engage in activities falling under a different status of residence (ICRRA Article 20). It can be filed from the time the reason for the change arises until the expiry date of the current period of stay. A change to the Permanent Resident status is not covered by this application (Immigration Services Agency, “Application for Change of Status of Residence”, in Japanese).

Extending the Period of Stay (Application for Permission to Extend Period of Stay)

An application for permission to extend period of stay is filed by a foreign national who wishes to continue residing in Japan beyond the granted period of stay without changing their status of residence (ICRRA Article 21). It can be filed up to the expiry date of the period of stay, and those with a period of stay of six months or more can apply from three months before the expiry date (Immigration Services Agency, “Application for Extension of Period of Stay”, in Japanese).

How We Can Help

Our firm provides comprehensive support related to residence status for foreign nationals and companies that employ foreign nationals.

Services Offered

• Application for Certificate of Eligibility
• Application for Extension of Period of Stay
• Application for Change of Status of Residence
• Application for Permanent Residence
• Application for Certificate of Authorized Employment
• Application for Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted Under The Status of Residence Previously Granted
• Other applications related to status of residence

Our Strengths

AEGIS International Administrative Firm is located in Minato-ku, Tokyo, and we are gyoseishoshi (licensed specialists in Japanese government procedures, including visas) specializing in immigration procedures. We focus on the following.

1. English support: We provide detailed explanations and support in English for foreign residents in Japan.
2. Specialized knowledge: We specialize in residence status applications and are familiar with the latest legal changes and immigration procedures.
3. Corporate support: We provide comprehensive support for companies hiring foreign talent, from selecting the appropriate residence status to application procedures and follow-up after employment.
4. Individualized support: We strive to provide services tailored to each individual’s situation and needs.

If you have any questions about residence status or require application support, please feel free to contact our office. We propose optimal solutions tailored to each client’s circumstances and objectives.