When hiring a foreign national, the individual must hold an appropriate status of residence. Work-authorized statuses of residence are divided into 20 types, each permitting different activities. This article explains the types of status of residence and the activities they cover in list form, and introduces application flows by scenario.

What Is a Status of Residence?

A status of residence is authorization that allows a foreign national to stay in Japan. There are multiple types based on family relationships, occupation, and other factors, and each status of residence defines the work and activities that may be performed in Japan.

Statuses of residence fall broadly into those issued based on activities (such as work or study) and those issued based on family relationships or nationality (such as Permanent Resident or Spouse or Child of Japanese National). Among statuses issued based on activities, some permit work in Japan and others do not.

When hiring a foreign national at your company, you must first confirm that the individual holds a status of residence that permits work. You must also note that the range of occupations and job duties allowed differs by type of status of residence.

A person cannot hold more than one status of residence at the same time. If a foreign national you plan to hire will engage in activities not permitted under their existing status of residence, they must switch to a new status of residence in accordance with procedures of the Immigration Services Agency of Japan under the Ministry of Justice.

Difference from a Visa

A common point of confusion in entry and stay procedures for foreign nationals is the difference between “status of residence” and a “visa.” In everyday language, people sometimes use “work visa” to mean a work-authorized status of residence, but legally a visa is distinct from a status of residence.

A visa is a country’s certification, for someone who is not its national, that the passport is valid and that there is no problem admitting the person to Japan. It functions like a letter of recommendation for entry.

When a foreign national obtains a Japanese work visa, a Japanese embassy or consulate overseas handles issuance, and the foreign national who plans to travel obtains it.

The conditions for obtaining a visa and the cases in which one is required are set separately from status of residence.

“US visa, vintage map and passport background”

How to Engage in Activities Not Permitted under a Status of Residence

As a rule, activities other than those permitted under a status of residence are not allowed in Japan. For example, if a person holding Temporary Visitor status, which does not permit work, takes a part-time job, they are subject to penalties for illegal employment.

However, there are cases where a foreign national studying in Japan wants a part-time job to help cover living and tuition costs. They may also join a paid internship to gain experience. To engage in activities not permitted under their status of residence in this way, they must obtain permission to engage in activity other than that permitted under the status of residence previously granted.

With this permission, even holders of statuses such as Student or Dependent, under which work is in principle prohibited, may work. Work is permitted up to a maximum of 28 hours per week. It is also possible to engage in work outside the scope permitted under an existing status of residence—for example, a university professor also working at a private company.

Reference: Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted under the Status of Residence Previously Granted | Immigration Services Agency of Japan

Mid- to Long-Term Residents Are Issued a Residence Card

In addition to status of residence, the residence card is important for foreign nationals. Except for foreign nationals on short-term stays, people staying in Japan are issued a residence card. The residence card certifies the right to stay in Japan and also serves as identification for the foreign national.

“Mid- to long-term residents,” who are eligible for a residence card, are persons who do not fall under any of the following:

(1) Persons granted a period of stay of “3 months” or less

(2) Persons granted Temporary Visitor status of residence

(3) Persons granted Diplomat or Official status of residence

(4) Persons designated by Ministry of Justice ordinance as equivalent to those in (1) through (3) (Note 1)

(5) Special Permanent Residents

(6) Persons without a status of residence

Reference: Who Is Covered by the New Residence Management System? | Immigration Services Agency of Japan

The residence card shows the latest status of residence information, including period of stay and permitted activities. Whether permission has been granted to engage in activity other than that permitted under the status of residence previously granted—which certifies that part-time work is allowed—can also be confirmed on the residence card.

What Are the Types of Status of Residence? A Full List

As of February 2022, there are 29 types of status of residence. Below they are introduced in three groups: those that permit work, those that do not permit work, and those based on personal status or position.

List of Statuses of Residence That Permit Work

There are 20 statuses of residence that permit work. The status to obtain differs depending on the activities performed in Japan, such as diplomat, university professor, or correspondent for an overseas news organization.

Many foreign nationals employed by Japanese companies apply for Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services, which is granted for occupations requiring specialized knowledge such as engineers, designers, and interpreters. Before hiring a foreign national, a company must carefully confirm which status of residence matches the planned job duties.

Designated Activities status is granted by the Minister of Justice for specific activities for each individual foreign national. For that reason, even under the same status name, permitted activities differ—for example, Designated Activities (Working Holiday) and Designated Activities (Internship).

Reference: List of Statuses of Residence | Immigration Services Agency of Japan

List of Statuses of Residence That Do Not Permit Work

Under the five statuses of residence introduced here, work is in principle not permitted. However, by obtaining permission to engage in activity other than that permitted under the status of residence previously granted, work of up to 28 hours per week becomes possible.

In addition, from December 1, 2020, in light of the impact of COVID-19, applications for permission to engage in activity other than that permitted under the status of residence previously granted have been accepted even for Temporary Visitor status when return home is not possible due to the pandemic.

Reference: For Those Unable to Return Home Due to COVID-19 Who Wish to Work (Part-Time) Because Maintaining a Livelihood in Japan Is Difficult

Reference: List of Statuses of Residence | Immigration Services Agency of Japan

List of Statuses of Residence Based on Personal Status or Position

Statuses of residence granted based on family relationships or personal status—such as Spouse or Child of Japanese National or Permanent Resident—have no work restrictions. Work is therefore permitted across a wide range of job fields, in addition to employment types such as part-time and full-time.

Reference: List of Statuses of Residence | Immigration Services Agency of Japan

How to Obtain a Status of Residence: By Case

How to obtain a status of residence differs depending on whether the applicant is overseas or already staying in Japan. Each case is explained below.

When the Foreign National Lives Overseas

If the foreign national you plan to hire lives overseas, the company first files an Application for Certificate of Eligibility with a regional immigration bureau. If the procedures confirm that the activities the foreign national will perform in Japan are appropriate for the status of residence, a Certificate of Eligibility is issued.

For the application, documents proving the individual’s work history and educational background are required in line with the planned status of residence. If anything is unclear, it is advisable to consult a gyoseishoshi (administrative scrivener) or a company that supports status of residence applications.

After obtaining the Certificate of Eligibility, send it to the person you plan to hire. That person then applies for a visa at a Japanese diplomatic mission in their place of residence, bringing the certificate. Once the visa is issued, the foreign national can travel to Japan. After entering with the Certificate of Eligibility, visa, and passport, a residence card is handed to the individual at the airport.

Reference: Application for Certificate of Eligibility | Immigration Services Agency of Japan

When the Foreign National Lives in Japan

If the foreign national you plan to hire is already in Japan, there are three patterns: they do not have a residence card; they have a residence card but not an appropriate status of residence; or they have an appropriate status of residence that allows work. Each is introduced below.

・When the Person Does Not Have a Residence Card

If the stay is within three months, or the person is staying in Japan under Temporary Visitor status and does not hold a residence card, file an Application for Certificate of Eligibility in the same way as when the foreign national lives overseas.

・When the Person Has a Residence Card but Not an Appropriate Status of Residence

Even with a residence card for a mid- to long-term stay, the status of residence held may not be suitable for work. If the planned job duties do not match the activities permitted under the status of residence, file an Application for Change of Status of Residence and switch to an appropriate status.

As with an Application for Certificate of Eligibility, documents proving that the individual meets the requirements for the status of residence must be submitted.

Reference: Application for Change of Status of Residence | Immigration Services Agency of Japan

・When the Person Has an Appropriate Status of Residence but Less Than Three Months Remain until Expiration

Even when the person holds an appropriate status of residence and can start work immediately, caution is needed. If less than three months remain on the status of residence, file an Application for Extension of Period of Stay.

Once a status of residence expires, the person becomes an overstayer, and the employing company may also be subject to penalties. An Application for Extension of Period of Stay must be filed before the current period of stay expires, but applying at the last minute risks non-acceptance due to incomplete documents or similar issues.

Applications themselves may be filed from three months before the period of stay expires, so companies should support early filing.

Reference: Application for Extension of Period of Stay | Immigration Services Agency of Japan

Hire Foreign Nationals under the Appropriate Status of Residence

There are many types of status of residence. When hiring a foreign national at your company, confirm whether they hold a status suited to the job duties, and if a change or new acquisition of status is needed, prepare with enough lead time.

Requirements differ by the status of residence applied for. If documents are incomplete, the application may be denied, and the planned start date of employment may not be met. To understand the basics of status of residence, or to learn more about suitable types and requirements, consider relying on specialists such as gyoseishoshi (administrative scriveners) or status of residence application agency services.

About the Author

Hayato Yamashita
Director, YourBright Inc. / Practical Operations Manager, Registered Support Organization
Specializes in Specified Skilled Worker, international talent hiring, registered support, and status of residence practice, and is involved in international talent placement and acceptance support.

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How This Article Was Reviewed

This article has been reviewed by staff involved in international talent placement, registered support, and status of residence practice, based on the practical expertise of YourBright Inc., a Registered Support Organization. Systems and operations may change, so please also check the latest information from public authorities.

Practical Points to Note

For Specified Skilled Worker, status of residence, and employment of foreign nationals, it is important to manage not only statutory requirements but also employment contracts, support plans, post-hire interview records, and consultation response histories in a consistent way. Organizing required documents and internal owners before acceptance, and recording regular interviews and daily-life support after hiring, helps prevent trouble and supports retention.

Author Information

Author: Hayato Yamashita. Director, YourBright Inc. / Practical Operations Manager, Registered Support Organization. Specializes in Specified Skilled Worker, international talent hiring, registered support, and status of residence practice, and is involved in international talent placement and acceptance support.

References

Immigration Services Agency of Japan: Specified Skilled Worker Program / Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare: Measures for Employment of Foreign Nationals / YourBright Inc.: Company Overview