How to Get a Visa and Work Permit in Japan (2025)

Expanding into Japan means tapping into a world-leading tech market, innovative talent, and a gateway to the broader Asia-Pacific region. For ambitious organizations and top talent alike, gaining a foothold in Japan can be transformative for business growth, product development, and global reach.

However, getting a Japanese work visa can be complex, requiring navigating visa types, sponsor duties, documentation, and shifting compliance rules. Each misstep risks delay, rejected applications, or even penalties. For global teams, the paperwork alone can derail hiring timelines, frustrate candidates, or lead to costly compliance gaps.

That’s where Deel Immigration comes in. Our platform removes paperwork headaches, automates eligibility checks, and handles every step of how to get a work visa in Japan—so you stay focused on business, not bureaucracy. With Deel, you can unlock Japan’s competitive edge for your team, hire the best faster, and expand with total confidence.

How easy is it to get a work visa in Japan?

Obtaining a work permit in Japan is very challenging for foreign nationals. The difficulty often depends on factors such as the applicant’s skills and education level, and whether there is high local demand for the applicant’s potential job title and scope.

See also: Moving to Japan: A Guide for Expats and Digital Nomads

What are the different types of Japan work visas and permits?

Below is a list of the most commonly used work and residence visa types in Japan—each fully supported by Deel:

• Engineer/Specialist (EG/SH) Visa: This Japanese work visa suits professionals in humanities, international services, or engineering fields. Applicants need at least a bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience plus a full-time employment contract. The initial Certificate of Eligibility is valid for up to 3 years, and visa renewals follow the same period. This category streamlines entry for in-demand skills

• Highly Skilled Professional (HSP i): HSP i is ideal for top-tier talent earning a high salary or scoring well on Japan’s points-based system. Eligibility requires a master’s degree (or equivalent research output) and a monthly income exceeding ¥300,000. It grants a 5-year status of residence, priority processing, and an accelerated path to permanent residency. Applicants also benefit from family staying options

• Highly Skilled Professional (HSP ii): HSP ii fits applicants who exceed 70 points on the skilled professional scale but fall short of HSP i thresholds. Candidates need substantial professional achievements or doctoral research and income above ¥250,000. The visa is issued for up to 3 years and allows renewal under the same category. HSP ii holders get preference in immigration processing

• Dependent Visa: This visa suits spouses and minor children of work visa holders in Japan. Applicants must show proof of relationship and the principal visa holder’s financial capacity to support dependents. The maximum stay aligns with the sponsor’s visa term, typically 1–3 years, renewable with the principal visa. Dependents can enroll in local schools and access healthcare (Source: Immigration Services Agency of Japan)

• Dependents of Permanent Residence Applicants: Dependents of PR applicants can apply for a specific status that mirrors family-member residency. Eligibility hinges on the head-of-household’s ongoing PR application and financial stability. This status is granted for up to 5 years and is renewable until PR is finalized. Dependents enjoy near-identical work and study rights as primary PR candidates

• Digital Nomad Visa: Permits remote workers from visa-exempt countries with a bilateral tax agreement to live in Japan for up to six months, with no employer sponsorship required. Applicants must show private health insurance and a minimum annual overseas income of JPY 10 million. Local employment is not allowed, dependents are eligible, and the visa is non-renewable, with typical processing of 30–90 days

• Permanent Residence (PR): Permanent Residence suits long-term visa holders who have resided in Japan for at least 10 years (or 3–5 years under HSP i). Applicants must demonstrate good conduct, stable income, and tax compliance. Once granted, PR status has no fixed expiry and provides full labor and social welfare rights. Spouses and children can join under similar terms

See also: Digital Nomad Visas for Remote Work: The Complete 2025 List

Japan work visa eligibility requirements for candidates

Below is a summary of key Japanese work, residence, and dependent visa types, highlighting their target candidates, main eligibility criteria, validity, processing times, and whether employment can begin before the visa is secured.

Japan visa comparison table

See also: Self-Verify Global Employee Visa Eligibility in Minutes

Japan's work visa sponsorship criteria for employers

Sponsors must be registered Japanese companies or organizations with proper business registration and demonstrate stable business operations, such as audited financial statements, office lease agreements, and a clear hiring plan. Many sectors—IT, finance, manufacturing—sponsor international hires by proving the role fills a genuine skills gap and meets wage thresholds.

Engaging an Employer of Record (EOR) can simplify sponsorship: the EOR becomes the legal employer, handling Japan work visa applications, social-insurance enrolment, tax withholding, and payroll compliance. Your organization retains day-to-day management of the employee while the EOR handles all local legal responsibilities.

Deel Immigration is a G2-leading Employer of Record in 150+ countries. We sponsor employees with over 200 permits in 40+ countries and process high volumes with exceptional speed. Whether you need a single Engineer visa or a multinational HSP rollout, Deel streamlines compliance, provides real-time application tracking via our in-app visa tracker, and offers transparent, flat pricing with partner discounts for relocation services and dedicated support for spouses and children.

See also: Easy Visa Sponsorship for Exploring New International Markets

Japan work permit and visa application process

Follow this five-step roadmap to secure your Japanese work visa with ease.

Step 1: Secure a Certificate of Eligibility from Japanese immigration authorities

The sponsor submits Form A and supporting documents to the Immigration Services Agency.

Tip: With Deel Immigration as the official sponsor, you can relax while we handle form submissions and document collection, accelerating global hiring and visa approvals—so you can hire in days, not months.

Step 2: Prepare and submit all required documentation

Include proof of qualifications, employment contract, and sponsor information. Gather degrees, professional references, corporate registration of the sponsor, and health insurance evidence.

Tip: Deel’s platform automates document collection by prompting both the employer and candidate and securely storing uploads.

Step 3: Submit the work visa application at a Japanese embassy or consulate

Applicant takes their passport, passport photos, and the approved Certificate of Eligibility.

Tip: Deel’s immigration experts guide you through application forms, and the platform reminds you of crucial deadlines.

Step 4: Attend required interviews or provide additional information

Some consulates may schedule brief interviews or request clarifications via email.

Tip: Deel’s real-time visa tracker keeps you updated on your application status and instantly notifies you if additional information or documents are required.

Step 5: Receive visa approval and enter Japan to begin employment

Once stamped, the visa expiry date and entry date are marked. The applicant retrieves their resident card at the local municipal office within 14 days of arrival.

Tip: Leverage Deel’s relocation partners and exclusive discounts for assistance with travel logistics.

See also: Application Guide for Enterprise Employee Visas

What is the cost of a Japan work visa and work permit?

Below is a summary of government and documentation fees associated with Japan’s main work, residence, and dependent visa types.

Deel provides transparent, flat pricing on all immigration and sponsorship services, with no hidden fees. Clients receive a detailed, upfront breakdown, so budgeting for talent mobility in Japan is easy and predictable.

See also: Deel's Work Visa Webinar Series: Canada Work Visa

Is Deel Immigration the best choice for hiring in Japan?

Absolutely. Deel Immigration offers a seamless, compliant, and efficient solution tailored to Japan’s complex immigration landscape, making it the top choice for employers hiring in Japan. With deep expertise in Japan work visa types and sponsor requirements, Deel ensures your international hires get authorized quickly and smoothly.

• End-to-end immigration management from Certificate of Eligibility to visa issuance
• Fast, free visa assessments delivered within 48 hours with clear upfront costs
• Personalized expert support navigating Japan’s strict documentation and sponsor criteria
• Real-time application tracking via Deel’s in-app visa tracker for full transparency
• Dedicated dependent visa support plus relocation discounts for families

With Deel Immigration, your Japan hiring process is simplified and accelerated—let’s explore how to hire faster next.

Hire employees in Japan faster with Deel Immigration

Hiring in Japan can be complex due to stringent sponsor obligations and detailed documentation requirements. Deel Immigration simplifies this with end-to-end immigration management, handling everything from employer registration verification to final visa approval. Our personalized expert support guides you through every step, ensuring your hires meet Japan work visa requirements and your applications avoid costly delays.

Book a free consultation today to receive your fast, no-obligation visa assessment and detailed cost breakdown so you can budget confidently. Take advantage of Deel’s real-time application tracking and automated renewal reminders to stay ahead of deadlines and keep your workforce compliant without stress.