Welcome to the Japan Visa & Immigration FAQ by IMS Legal Professional Corporation.
This page provides practical answers to common questions from foreign nationals who live, work, or plan to build their future in Japan.
Our FAQ focuses on Japanese immigration and residence procedures, including work visas, family and spouse visas, Permanent Residence, Highly Skilled Professional status, J-Skip, and Business Manager status.
Select a category below to find answers to questions about your immigration situation.
Work Visa in Japan
Learn about Japanese work visas, including Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services, Certificates of Eligibility (COE), changing jobs, leaving a job, side work, freelance work, salary requirements, and changing from Student or Temporary Visitor status.
Popular questions include:
- What type of visa do I need to work in Japan?
- Do I need a university degree for a Japanese work visa?
- Can I change jobs without changing my work visa?
- What happens to my visa if I quit my job?
- Can I freelance or work for more than one company?
View Work Visa Frequently Asked Questions →
Family, Spouse & Dependent Visa
Find answers about bringing your family to Japan under the Dependent, Spouse or Child of Japanese National, or Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident status.
This section also covers working under Dependent status, bringing children to Japan, divorce and separation, and how family circumstances can affect your residence status.
Popular questions include:
- Can I bring my spouse and children to Japan?
- Can my spouse work on a Dependent visa?
- How many hours can a Dependent work?
- What happens to my status if I divorce my Japanese spouse?
- Can a spouse of a Japanese citizen apply for Permanent Residence?
View Family, Spouse & Dependent Visa FAQs →
Permanent Residence in Japan
Learn about the requirements for obtaining Permanent Residence in Japan, including residence periods, income, taxes, pension and health insurance, employment history, Highly Skilled Professional routes, family applications, and the effect of long periods spent outside Japan.
This section also explains the major Permanent Residence guideline changes that will apply from April 2027.
Popular questions include:
- How long do I need to live in Japan before applying for Permanent Residence?
- How much income do I need?
- Do late tax or pension payments affect my application?
- Can I apply after one year with 80 HSP points?
- How long does Permanent Residence currently take in Tokyo?
View Permanent Residence Frequently Asked Questions →
Highly Skilled Professional, J-Skip & Business Manager
This section covers Japan's Highly Skilled Professional (HSP) points system, J-Skip for Special Highly Skilled Professionals, and the latest requirements for Business Manager status.
It includes questions about HSP points, one-year and three-year Permanent Residence routes, family benefits, J-Skip income requirements, Business Manager capital, employees, Japanese-language ability, business premises, and the revised Business Manager rules introduced in October 2025.
Popular questions include:
- How many HSP points do I need?
- Can I get Permanent Residence after one year?
- What is J-Skip?
- How much capital is required for a Business Manager visa?
- Do I need an employee and Japanese-language ability for Business Manager status?
View Highly Skilled Professional & Business Manager FAQs →
Not Sure Which Immigration Procedure Applies to You?
Japanese immigration procedures depend on your nationality, current status of residence, employment or business activities, family circumstances, residence history, and future plans.
The same immigration procedure may also have different requirements depending on whether you are applying from overseas or from within Japan.
If you are unsure which status of residence or procedure applies to your situation, IMS Legal Professional Corporation can review your circumstances and advise you on the appropriate immigration procedure.
Contact IMS for a consultation →
The information provided in these FAQs is for general informational purposes. Japanese immigration laws, guidelines, fees, and examination practices may change, and individual applications are assessed according to their specific circumstances. Please confirm the latest requirements before filing an application.