The following are some readers' comments. You can also read the full article:
Work visa process.
Updated 8 July 2005
Related reading
Visa Eligibility
Foreigners are not allowed to work in Japan unless they have an appropriate Japanese work visa. There are a few...
Dependent Visa
There has been some discussion in the Visa eligibility section about whether you are allowed to work if you have...
Sponsored visa
To get a work visa, you need to find a company willing to give you a job. You will also...
Tokyo Regional Immigration Bureau
If you're in Tokyo, you will be dealing with the Tokyo Regional Immigration Bureau office. This is place you go...
Teaching jobs
Many foreigners work as English conversation teachers while they're in Japan. For many people, the work is not too...
hi bennett ,i’m from malaysia.i used to work in japan as an iilegal workers since 2002 , and i came back on 2004. the japan immigration are banned my entry to japan for 5 years.it will be till june of 2009, my job in japan was a cook,around two years experience in izakaya and sushi ya.i wound like to enter japan again on 2010,is that possible to get a working visa there .and my japanese friends are trying to sponsor me at his restaurant in japan, what he suppose to do about apply foreigner workers.pls help bennett..thanks
hello!im a long term rescidence in japan,i have a husband which is a pilipino also and have a 3 kids living here.but now i am extending my visa what are the requirements needed now is it like the requirements from the fast or is it have a new requirements needed?tnx
I am a UScitizen here in Japan on a work visa, which expires on June 30th. My question is if I do not renew myvisa and stay past June 30th is this a problem? I know I wont be able to work legally but how about just traveling?
Thanks
Somehow a lot of questions have built up… Generally, questions about how long visa requirements and issuance are best answereed by your embassy.
Tikky, I believe it is possible to change visa status without leaving the country, but it may depend on who processes your case. You should ask the Immigration Information Center.
Craig, I would be surprised if it would cause you immigration problems, but of course it would be better to find out and pay up. If I were you I would try to get your former employer to contact the appropriate authority.
Edy, your friends should contact the Immigration Department to find out the requirements for sponsorship.
Jack, it is a problem to stay in Japan without a valid visa or exemption. You run the risk of being deported and prevented from re-entering Japan for 5 years.
good day! i found your site,when i was making a research about japan, im a filipina and planning to have about a week holiday in japan, do i still need to secure visa for that?
wow whaT an informative forum we haVe here..hi bennet do you haVe aNy direct information regARding the process And the documents needed for working visa cAuse my company is willing to sponsor me thru a working visa im here in nAGoyA ryt now mAybe you can help me get the naGoyA immigrATion bureaU …thAnks And where yaH from bennet..you seems like popular in this forum….djANe
Here’s a doosy for you. I am from Bermuda and I am interested in working in Japan, the problem, there is no Japanese Embassy in Bermuda, and no Bermudian Embassy in Japan. Any suggestions?
HI Bennett, I am Malaysian. I am interested to work in Japan, planning to work there. Somehow, is it possible enter to japan to look for job and when got the job, only then apply for the working visa. How to get the working Visa? Do I need to pay for it or employer need to pay for it. Lastly, how much tax deduction from the salary if working there. Appreciated for the reply and Thanks.
Hi edy, Does your friend still hiring people to work there? Thanks
Hi, I am Indian. I am a software programmer and I am interested to work in Japan. What is the process for get the working visa for Japan.
I am planning to work in Kobe Japan in the next short period of time. I will only be there for about two weeks at a time to do intensive classes for children. Will I need a work visa? Will it affect my current job in Singapore?
Jamil, there’s lots of information on this website about different people’s experiences getting a visa. You will usually need a job organised to sponsor your visa. See the rest of this website for details on how to find something!
Aishah, you need a work visa to do any amount of paid work in Japan. You should probably ask your employer in Japan about it.
Brandan, being Malaysian you will need a visa to enter Japan. You can apply for a visitor visa, but it probably won’t let you stay very long. If you manage to get a job and sponsor while you’re visiting, you will probably need to leave Japan briefly to change to a work visa.
Whether you pay for the visa or your employer does is up to the two of you to negotiate. As for tax, it depends on where you work and how much you earn — maybe somewhere between 10% and 20%, maybe more, maybe less. Much lower than places like the UK and Australia — I don’t know what taxes are like in Malaysia.
Hi Benett,
I’ve just found your site and it’s very interesting, except that I didn’t find some answer. I’m canadian and can speek both french en english (and a little bit of japanese)
1 – I’ve currently have a degree (in private college in quebec) in Network administration and 4 years of experience in the IT field (end user support / network techician and admin) I’m currently considering moving in japan next year (around march or april) but i’d like to know, since all the information that i’ve gatter on various web sites always talk about a university degree (4 years) does a charts that allow to compare degree and is there any minimum time of experience+degree to have a full working visa (since i dont know any company in japan yet but i’m actively looking for job, almost all of them need to be in japan)
2 – Is there a way to transfer from working-holiday to a full working visa without leaving the country? and is there a time limit in working in a single company with this kind of visa (i was told that you cannot exceed 3 month in a company)
thank you very much for your help and precious information
HI I’M A FILIFINA !(ENTERTAINER WORKING VISA) I HAVE A EXPERIENCE WORKING THERE IN JAPAN ALMOST 6MONTHS AND THE LAST IS 3MONTHS ONLY. BUT IT IS IMPOSSIBLE GOING BACK THERE! BECAUSE THE IMMIGRATION STOP GIVING A WORKING VISA! HOW DO I TRY TO GET ANOTHER WORKING VISA? IT POSSIBLE OR CHANCE TO GET WORKING VISA AGAIN? I HOPE AND PRAY THAT THIS SITE WILL GIVE ME A CHANCE! VERY INTERESTING! THANK YOU SO MUCH AND MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL!!!!
Hi,
I am planning to convert to Work Visa in Tokyo and will be getting Yen 6 millin for my first year as salary. Can u please tell me what will be my Total tax liability in Japan..
I am an engineer by profession from India
Please tell me in detail.
Dear Bennet,
During my tourist visa I got a job. and today all documents have been submitted in immigrtion office. I have left seven weeks in my expiry of tourist visa. I want to ask that how much time will be taken by the Immigration for reply in which they will say that your application is accepted or not. And if in these seven weeks they dont send any answer than what can I do before leaving the Japan.
Please reply me as soon as possible.
Thanks.
Hi, I am Pakistani. I doing job as an Accouantat in textile mills and I am interested to work in Japan. What is the process for get the working visa for Japan.
Hi,Bennet
I’m planning to enter Japan with multiple visa as temporary visitors. After that during in Japan I’m going to apply job. I have already my sponsor there. My question, is it safe for me with that process. Thank U hoping your valuable response.
pls i like japn go work pls help computer work
Hi, i am a filipino male, i am going to japan, but need to know if i need a visa to enter japan, and upon arriving in japan, plan on working, would i be able to stay in japan and apply for my working visa?