There are 28 categories (34 types) of Status of Residence (Visa) in Japan, which can be classified into 4 groups;
1. Working Visa (18 categories)
Foreigners having one of the Working Visa can engage in the authorized activities below. If you want to engage in an activity other than what is specified on your Visa, you need to obtain permission for other activity from the Immigration office in Japan.
| Status of Residence (Visa) | Authorized activities |
| Business Manager | Operating international trade or some other business in Japan, or managing such business. |
| Highly Skilled Professional | (a) Advanced academic research activities (working in research, research guidance or education) (b) Advanced specialized/technical activities (working in work requiring specialized knowledge or skills in the field of natural sciences or humanities) (c) Advanced business management (working in the operation or management of international trade or other business in Japan) *Points are given based on academic background, professional career, salary etc. Those who receive a certain number of points (70 points or more) are qualified to apply. |
| Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services | Working in the field of natural science (physical science, engineering etc) or human science (law, economics, sociology etc), or working in services which require specific ways of thinking or sensitivity acquired through experience with foreign culture. (Engineer, translator, interpreter, designer, language teacher, marketing specialist, international trade salesperson etc.) |
| Skilled Labor | Working in services which require industrial techniques or skills in special fields. (Chef of foreign cuisine, sports instructor, aircraft pilot, craftsman of precious metals etc.) |
| Intra-company Transferee | Same activities as Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/ International Services. (Expats transferred from a foreign company to that company’s office in Japan.) |
| Researcher | Research activities based on a contract with a public or private organization in Japan. |
| Professor | Activities for research, guidance of research or education at a university or an equivalent institution. |
| Instructor | Activities for language instruction or other education at an elementary school, junior high school, senior high school etc. |
| Religious Activities | Religious activities conducted by foreign religious workers dispatched from a foreign religious organization. |
| Journalist | News coverage and other journalistic activities based on a contract with a foreign journalistic organization. |
| Artist | Artistic activities that produce income, including music, the fine arts, literature etc. |
| Entertainer | Activities for theatrical performances, musical performances, sports or any other form of show business. |
| Legal / Accounting Services | Activities for legal or accounting business conducted by registered foreign lawyers, certified public accountants or other legal or accounting specialists with Japanese qualifications. |
| Medical Services | Activities for medical treatment services conducted by physicians, dentists or other medical specialists with Japanese qualifications. |
| Nursing Care | Activities for nursing care conducted by a certified care worker. |
| Diplomat | Activities on the part of personnel of diplomatic missions, the embassies and consular offices and their families. |
| Official | Activities on the part of personnel of government or international organizations and their families. |
| Technical Intern Training | Activities conducted by a technical intern trainee to acquire and develop skill, technology and knowledge at a public or private organization in Japan. |
2. Non-working Visa (5 categories)
Foreign nationals having one of the Non-working Visa are not allowed to work nor receive remuneration or salary. Holders of “Student” and “Dependent” Visa may apply for permission to work for a limited time to the Immigration office in Japan.
(Click “Part time work permit for Student and Dependent” for more information)
| Status of Residence (Visa) | Authorized activities |
| Temporary Visitor | Sightseeing, recreation, sports, visiting relatives, inspection tours, participating in lectures or meetings, business contract or other similar activities during a short stay in Japan. |
| Dependent | Activities on the part of spouses or children supported by the foreign national staying in Japan with the Working Visa or Non-working Visa (except for Technical Intern Training, Temporary Visitor and Trainee). |
| Student | Activities to study at a university, vocational school, high school, junior high school, elementary school or equivalent institution (including Japanese language school). |
| Cultural Activities | Academic or artistic activities that provide no income, or activities for learning and acquiring Japanese culture or arts. |
| Trainee | Activities to acquire skills at a public or private organization in Japan. |
3. Family related Visa (4 categories)
Foreigners having one of the Family related Visa can engage in any type of activities in Japan. They can work in any field or industry, change jobs, and engage in more than one activity.
| Status of Residence (Visa) | Personal Status or Position |
| Permanent Resident | Those who are permitted permanent residence by the Ministry of Justice. |
| Spouse or Child of Japanese National | Spouses or children of Japanese nationals |
| Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident | Spouses or children of Permanent Resident |
| Long-Term Resident | Those who are authorized to reside in Japan in consideration of special circumstances. (Refugees, descendants of Japanese nationals, those who were divorced from Japanese nationals etc) |
4. Designated Activities
Holders of “Designated Activities” Visa may or may not work depending on each individual case.
| Status of Residence (Visa) | Authorized activities |
| Designated Activities | Activities designated by the Minister of Justice for foreign individuals. (Housekeepers for diplomats, working holiday, students on internship etc.) |
Latest update: November 2, 2017
Reference：All list of Status of Residence (Ministry of Justice, Japan)