🇦🇺→🇯🇵Australia→Japan

90 daysmultiple entry5-10d processing~$100valid 365d

Foreign patients (and accompanying carers) coming to Japan for medical check-ups, treatment, or recuperation

Specified visa for medical stay. Validity of 90 days, 6 months, or 1 year (multiple-entry validity of up to 3 years for repeated treatment) based on the patient's clinical condition; stays longer than 90 days generally require hospitalisation. Accompanying persons may receive the same visa but cannot engage in paid work. A registered guarantor/coordinator is required.

multiple entry30-90d processing~$100valid 1825d

Spouse and children of foreign nationals holding a work, student, or other mid/long-term residence status

Residence status 'Dependent' (家族滞在) for the spouse or child of a resident foreign national. Holders may work part-time up to 28 hours/week only with permission to engage in activity other than that permitted. Requires a CoE. Consular visa issuance fee JPY 15,000 (single entry) as of July 1, 2026.

multiple entry30-90d processing~$100valid 1825d

Foreign nationals authorised to reside for a designated period on humanitarian or ancestry grounds (e.g. Nikkei descendants, resettled refugees, certain divorced/widowed spouses)

Residence status 'Long-Term Resident' (定住者). No restriction on the type of work permitted. Requires a CoE. Consular visa issuance fee JPY 15,000 (single entry) as of July 1, 2026.

multiple entry30-90d processing~$100valid 1825d

Spouses, biological children, and special-adopted children of Japanese nationals

Residence status 'Spouse or Child of Japanese National' (日本人の配偶者等). No restriction on the type of work permitted; periods of stay of 6 months to 5 years and a path to permanent residence. Requires a CoE. Consular visa issuance fee JPY 15,000 (single entry) as of July 1, 2026.

multiple entry30-90d processing~$100valid 1825d

Spouses of permanent residents or special permanent residents, and their children born and raised in Japan

Residence status 'Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident' (永住者の配偶者等). No restriction on the type of work permitted. Periods of stay: 5 years, 3 years, 1 year, or 6 months. Requires a CoE. Consular visa issuance fee JPY 15,000 (single entry) as of July 1, 2026.

multiple entry30-90d processing~$100valid 1095d

Unpaid academic or artistic pursuits, or study of Japanese culture or arts (e.g. tea ceremony, martial arts, traditional crafts)

Residence status 'Cultural Activities' (文化活動) for non-remunerative cultural/academic activities or study under an expert. No paid work permitted. Requires a CoE. Consular visa issuance fee JPY 15,000 (single entry) as of July 1, 2026.

multiple entry30-90d processing~$100valid 730d

Studying at a Japanese school, university, language school, or vocational school

Requires a CoE from the school. Can work up to 28 hours/week part-time with a work permit. Apply at Japanese embassy/consulate. Consular visa issuance fee JPY 15,000 (single entry) as of July 1, 2026.

multiple entry30-90d processing~$100valid 1825d

Income-generating artistic activities in music, fine arts, literature, and other arts (e.g. composers, painters, sculptors, authors) not covered by the Entertainer status

Residence status 'Artist' (芸術). Periods of stay: 5 years, 3 years, 1 year, or 3 months. For artists earning income from their art; performance/show-business work falls under the Entertainer status instead. Requires a CoE. Consular visa issuance fee JPY 15,000 (single entry) as of July 1, 2026.

multiple entry30-90d processing~$100valid 1825d

Working in engineering, IT, finance, law, language education, or international trade

Requires a Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) obtained by your Japanese employer from immigration authorities (CoE itself is free). Most common work visa for office-based roles. Consular visa issuance fee JPY 15,000 (single entry) as of July 1, 2026.

multiple entry30-90d processing~$100valid 1095d

Theatrical, musical, sports, and other show-business or performance activities in Japan

Residence status 'Entertainer' (興行) for performers, athletes, and their essential support staff. Periods of stay range from 15/30 days up to 3 years. Requires a CoE. Consular visa issuance fee JPY 15,000 (single entry) as of July 1, 2026.

multiple entry30-90d processing~$100valid 1825d

Advanced academic research, specialised/technical activities, or business management

Points-based system (HSP No. 1 with categories 1-A/1-B/1-C, plus HSP No. 2). 70+ points qualifies; accelerated path to permanent residence (3 years, or 1 year at 80+ points). HSP No. 1 is granted a 5-year period of stay; HSP No. 2 is unlimited. Consular visa issuance fee JPY 15,000 (single entry) as of July 1, 2026.

multiple entry30-90d processing~$100valid 1825d

Language and other teaching at elementary, junior high, and high schools (distinct from university professors)

Residence status 'Instructor' (教育). Typically used by foreign-language teachers (e.g. JET/ALT and private/public school teachers). Requires a CoE. Consular visa issuance fee JPY 15,000 (single entry) as of July 1, 2026.

multiple entry30-90d processing~$100valid 1825d

Employees transferred to a Japanese branch, subsidiary, or head office of the same company group

Residence status 'Intra-company Transferee'. For staff transferred from an overseas office to a related establishment in Japan for a limited period. Requires a CoE. Consular visa issuance fee JPY 15,000 (single entry) as of July 1, 2026.

multiple entry30-90d processing~$100valid 1825d

News coverage and reporting in Japan under contract with a foreign press organisation (reporters, editors, cameramen, announcers)

Residence status 'Journalist' (報道) for foreign correspondents and news-gathering staff contracted to overseas media organisations. Periods of stay: 5 years, 3 years, 1 year, or 3 months. Requires a CoE. Consular visa issuance fee JPY 15,000 (single entry) as of July 1, 2026.

multiple entry30-90d processing~$100valid 1825d

Legal or accounting work by registered foreign lawyers (gaikokuho-jimu-bengoshi), certified public accountants, and other holders of legally recognised Japanese qualifications

Residence status 'Legal/Accounting Services' (法律・会計業務). Requires a qualification legally recognised in Japan (e.g. registered foreign lawyer or CPA) and a CoE. Periods of stay: 5 years, 3 years, 1 year, or 3 months. Consular visa issuance fee JPY 15,000 (single entry) as of July 1, 2026.

multiple entry30-90d processing~$100valid 1825d

Foreign physicians, dentists, nurses, pharmacists, and other licensed medical professionals practising in Japan

Residence status 'Medical Services' (医療). Requires a Japanese professional licence and a CoE. Distinct from the short-term Visa for Medical Stay (which is for patients receiving treatment). Consular visa issuance fee JPY 15,000 (single entry) as of July 1, 2026.

multiple entry30-90d processing~$100valid 1825d

Working as a certified care worker (kaigofukushishi) at care facilities in Japan

Residence status 'Nursing Care' (介護). Requires the Japanese Certified Care Worker national qualification and a CoE. Consular visa issuance fee JPY 15,000 (single entry) as of July 1, 2026.

multiple entry30-90d processing~$100valid 1825d

Research, research guidance, or education at a Japanese university or equivalent higher-education institution

Residence status 'Professor' (教授) for university professors, associate/assistant professors, and lecturers. Requires a CoE. Consular visa issuance fee JPY 15,000 (single entry) as of July 1, 2026.

multiple entry30-90d processing~$100valid 1825d

Missionary work and other religious activities by clergy dispatched by a foreign religious organisation

Residence status 'Religious Activities' (宗教) for missionaries and religious workers sent to Japan by a foreign religious body. Periods of stay: 5 years, 3 years, 1 year, or 3 months. Requires a CoE. Consular visa issuance fee JPY 15,000 (single entry) as of July 1, 2026.

multiple entry30-90d processing~$100valid 1825d

Conducting research under a contract with a public or private institution in Japan (outside universities)

Residence status 'Researcher' (研究) for researchers employed by government agencies, companies, or research institutions. Requires a CoE. Consular visa issuance fee JPY 15,000 (single entry) as of July 1, 2026.

multiple entry30-90d processing~$100valid 1825d

Skilled trades requiring specialised industrial techniques (e.g. foreign-cuisine chefs, foreign-style construction, jewellery/precious-metal processing, animal training, sommeliers)

Residence status 'Skilled Labor' (技能). Commonly used by chefs of foreign cuisine with several years of experience. Requires a CoE. Consular visa issuance fee JPY 15,000 (single entry) as of July 1, 2026.

multiple entry30-90d processing~$100valid 1095d

Working in designated labour-shortage sectors (care, food service, construction, agriculture, manufacturing, hospitality, etc.)

Residence status 'Specified Skilled Worker' (特定技能) covering 18 designated industry fields. SSW No. 1: passing skills + Japanese language tests (or completing Technical Intern Training), cumulative maximum of 5 years, generally no family accompaniment. SSW No. 2: advanced skills, renewable indefinitely with family accompaniment and a path to permanent residence. Consular visa issuance fee JPY 15,000 (single entry) as of July 1, 2026.

multiple entry30-90d processing~$100valid 365d

On-the-job technical skills training at a Japanese company under the Technical Intern Training Program

Residence status 'Technical Intern Training' (技能実習), stages i/ii/iii, up to a cumulative 5 years. Being reformed into a new 'Employment for Skill Development' (ikusei-shuro) system planned around 2027. Requires a CoE. Consular visa issuance fee JPY 15,000 (single entry) as of July 1, 2026.

multiple entry30-90d processing~$100valid 365d

Acquiring skills or knowledge through non-employment training at a Japanese public or private organisation (excludes Technical Intern Training and study)

Residence status 'Trainee' (研修). Periods of stay: 1 year, 6 months, or 3 months (up to 2 years for foreign medical staff training in particle-beam radiotherapy). Distinct from Technical Intern Training (技能実習); trainees engage in non-employment skills training. Requires a CoE. Consular visa issuance fee JPY 15,000 (single entry) as of July 1, 2026.

multiple entry30-90d processing~$100valid 1825d

Running, managing, or investing in a company or business in Japan (entrepreneurs, executives, investors)

Residence status 'Business Manager' (経営・管理). Period of stay options: 5 years, 3 years, 1 year, 6/4/3 months. Requires a CoE, a viable business plan, office premises, and (as of October 2025) minimum capital/investment of JPY 30 million plus at least one full-time resident employee. Closest thing Japan has to an investor visa; also tracked as a residency-by-investment route. Consular visa issuance fee JPY 15,000 (single entry) as of July 1, 2026.

180 dayssingle entry10-30d processing~$100valid 180d

Remote working from Japan for a foreign employer or clients (launched 31 March 2024)

Specified visa, Designated Activities No. 53 (worker) / No. 54 (accompanying spouse or child). Open to nationals of visa-exempt countries/regions (approximately 70) who earn at least JPY 10 million per year and hold private medical insurance covering at least JPY 10 million. Maximum stay 6 months, after which the holder must wait 6 months before reapplying; cannot work for Japanese entities.

730 daysmultiple entry30-90d processing~$100valid 730d

Designated Activities status allowing foreign entrepreneurs to prepare and establish a business in Japan before qualifying for the standard Business Manager visa, under relaxed initial requirements (no office premises or JPY 30 million capital needed upfront)

Applicant submits a Business Preparation Activity Plan to a certified local 'Foreign Entrepreneurship Promotion Organization' (municipality or approved body); once confirmed, applies to the Regional Immigration Services Bureau for Designated Activities status. Rolled out nationwide from January 1, 2025 (previously limited to National Strategic Special Zones such as Tokyo and Fukuoka); the grace period to meet full Business Manager requirements (office premises, JPY 30 million capital, resident employee) was extended to a maximum of 2 years, after which the holder must transition to the standard Business Manager visa. Consular visa issuance fee JPY 15,000 (single entry) as of the July 1, 2026 fee revision. Corroborated by METI (https://www.meti.go.jp/english/policy/economy/startup_nbp/startup_visa.html) and JETRO program pages; direct MOFA/METI page fetch was blocked by bot-detection (HTTP 403) but the MOFA URL and program details were confirmed via search and third-party official-source corroboration.

365 daysmultiple entry5-30d processingfreevalid 365d

Holidaying and working in Japan (age 18-30, select nationalities)

Available for Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, New Zealand, South Korea, UK, and several others. Generally issued free of charge.