Japan Work Visa for Indian

If you do not already know, you are not allowed to legally work in Japan on a visitor or any other kind of short-term visa. It means if you want to work in the country, you must obtain a work permit or visa as per your job category and qualifications.

In simple words, the Japan work visa is a type of visa designed for foreign citizens who want to live and work in Japan and become a part of the country's growing economy.

The Japanese government has introduced multiple categories of visas for different types of foreign job seekers. Each visa category comes with its own benefits and validity period, after which you need to end or extend your stay in the country.

Work visas in Japan are broadly classified into four categories. Let us discuss each in detail:

Specified Skills Visa: Skilled professionals within a specified category are eligible to apply for this work visa. This includes nursing, engineering, agriculture, and so on.

To qualify for this visa, the applicants must clear a technical exam along with the Japanese language test. Further, it comes with a validity of not more than a year. However, you can extend it for a period of up to five years.

Highly Skilled Worker Visa: The highly skilled worker visa in Japan is reserved for professionals who are highly specialised in their field, such as managers and those operating on an executive level.

The good thing about this visa is that it comes with unlimited validity. You can renew it for as long as you want to stay in the country. Besides, this visa also allows you to bring your family with you to Japan.

Skilled Worker Visa: This visa is designed for skilled foreign workers who are moving to Japan to fill the employment gaps in various sectors of the country, such as technicians, chefs, pilots, sports trainers, etc.

Japan Working Holiday Visa: If your country has a working holiday agreement with Japan, then you can apply for this visa. With a validity of up to one year, a Working Holiday Visa allows the visa holders to stay and work in Japan for a temporary period. They can engage in part-time work to support their stay in Japan.

Following are the requirements for Japan work visa application:

Valid Job Offer: The primary requirement for obtaining a Japan work visa is a valid job offer from a Japanese employer. Note that the work visa requires a Japanese employer to sponsor you by obtaining a Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) from the immigration authorities. A CoE is the mandatory requirement for the Japan work visa application.

Required Qualifications: Depending on your job category and the type of visa category you are applying for, you must meet the required educational qualifications.

Work Experience: Some work visas in Japan require applicants to have a specified amount of previous work experience in order to be eligible.

Clean Criminal History: The immigration authorities of Japan are quite strict about the criminal record of visa applicants. If you are found with a serious criminal history, your visa is highly likely to be rejected.

Financial Stability: For obtaining a Japanese work visa, you might also be required to prove financial stability to support your stay in the country. For this, you might be required to submit documents such as bank statements, payslips, ITR forms, etc.

Supporting Documents: Finally, you are required to submit the supporting documents depending on the category of visa you are applying for. We have a detailed section on the main documents required for a Japan work visa for Indian citizens.

Now that you have understood the requirements for a Japan job visa, let us take a look at the professions that are eligible for the same.

Artists, such as painters, songwriters, photographers, sculptures, etc.

Engineers or specialists in international services or humanities, such as IT professionals, digital marketers, copywriters, designers, foreign language trainers, and so on.

Business professionals, such as company directors, presidents, and C-level executives.

Entertainers, such as dancers, actors, singers, sportspersons, and so on.

Intra-company transferees (those who are transferred to the Japanese location of their company/ organisation)

Instructors and teachers

Journalists, such as news reporters, news editors, announcers, etc.

Legal workers, such as lawyers, public accountants, tax specialists, etc.

Healthcare professionals, such as doctors, pharmacists, nurses, dentists, etc.

Researchers

Religious workers, such as bishops, monks, missionaries, etc.

Technical interns

Skilled workers, such as chefs, pilots, sports trainers, etc.

Following are the main documents you need to submit for a Japanese work visa application:

• A valid passport and its copies

• Certificate of Eligibility (CoE)

• Duly completed and signed Japan Work Visa Application Form.

• Passport-size photographs as per the below specifications:

Dimensions: (4 cm * 3 cm)

• Must be taken within the last 2-3 months.

• Solid white background

• The face should be fully visible.

• The image should be of high quality.

• Educational certificates such as mark sheets, accolades, transcripts, degrees, etc.

• Previous employment documents such as offer letters, relieving letters, promotion letters, salary slips, etc.

Job offer and contract from the Japan company/employer. It should clearly mention the job profile, salary offered, length of contract, and so on.

Health Insurance

Additional documents were requested by the immigration authorities.

Note: This is not an exclusive list of documents required for the Japan work visa. The applicants might be required to present some additional documents depending on their profession and visa category. It is advised to confirm the same before proceeding further.

As mentioned earlier, work visas in Japan need the applicants to be sponsored by a registered Japanese employer. To initiate the process, the Japanese employer must obtain the Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) from the migration authorities of Japan and then issue it to the potential applicant along with the job offer.

In the absence of a CoE, the work visa application can not be processed.

The process of applying for a Japanese work permit from India is divided into two parts. Let's discuss each of them in detail:

Part I: Obtaining the CoE (Certificate of Employment)

Every foreign national who wants to move to Japan for a job needs to have a Certificate of Employment, which is obtained from the Japanese immigration authorities by a Japanese employer. Note that this CoE is not a replacement for a work visa. Hence, it does not guarantee your arrival in the country.

Instead, it is a mandatory legal requirement for initiating the work visa application process.

So, first things first, you must find a relevant job in Japan. It should be noted that your prospective employer or company must be legally registered and recognised in Japan.

Once you get the job, your employer will be responsible for acquiring the CoE on your behalf and issuing it to you alongside the job offer or contract.

For this, your employer might ask you to submit a few documents in order to get the CoE.

Part II: Applying for the Japan Work Visa

Once you have the Certificate of Eligibility in hand, you can proceed with the visa application process as follows:

Step 1: Visit the nearest Japanese embassy or consulate to your location and learn about the specific requirements. Note that some consulates do not accept visa applications directly. In this case, you need to apply through an authorised Visa Application Centre.

Step 2: Submit the duly signed and completed Japan Work Visa Application form along with the necessary documents.

Step 3: Depending on the type of visa, you might be invited for the visa interview.

Step 4: Once the application is processed, wait for the decision. If your visa application is approved, you will be granted a work visa, which will allow you to enter Japan.

Addressing the most important question: how long does it take to get a Japan job seeker visa/work permit from India?

The good news is a Japan work visa application takes only 7-10 days to process. It means you will hear your decision within 10 days of submitting the visa application.

However, obtaining the Certificate of Eligibility takes significantly longer. It can take around 3 to 4 months. Thus, it is recommended to apply for a CoE as soon as you get the job offer from Japan.

The cost of a Japanese work visa from India is 3000 Yen (₹1800) for a single entry visa and 6000 Yen (₹3600) for a multiple entry visa.

Note: The above visa fees are subject to change depending upon the immigration laws and policies and market fluctuations. It is advised to check the latest amount before moving further.

To know about the success of your Japan work visa application, you can monitor its progress online. Here is how you can check the status of your work visa application:

Step 1: Visit the visa tracking website.

Step 2: Enter your Application ID and Passport Number.

Step 3: Enter the text shown on the screen.

Step 4: Click on "Check Status".

Following are the details of Japan's embassy and consulates in India:

As discussed, if the Japanese embassy or consulate does not accept visa applications directly, you will need to apply through a registered visa application centre. Click here to find the nearest Visa Application Center in your region.

The validity of a Japan job visa for Indian nationals varies depending upon the specific type of visa you are applying for. It can range from three months to five years. Moreover, you can apply for a visa extension to extend your stay in the country.

Although a Japan work visa has a higher approval rate, your visa application can be rejected or cancelled under certain circumstances. We are listing the common reasons behind the same, along with the steps you can take to avoid this:

Incomplete/Incorrect Documentation: Incomplete, incorrect, or fake documents can lead to your visa delay and even denial. So, if you want your work visa to get approved on time, make sure to submit the correct and complete documents.

Failing to Meet Eligibility: If you do not meet the eligibility criteria for a Japan work visa, your visa will be rejected. Hence, apply only after knowing your eligibility.

Applying for a Wrong Visa: This is another common mistake that can result in Japan work visa rejection. As mentioned above, there are different types of work visas for different foreign professionals. You must choose the visa category according to your profession, educational qualifications, and eligibility.

Involvement in Criminal Activities: Involvement in any kind of criminal activity or legal issue can also become an obstacle in your path of acquiring a Japanese work visa. So, it is strictly advised to keep your criminal record clean.

Changes in Immigration Laws: Immigration laws keep changing from time to time. Such sudden changes can also lead to uncertain delays and even cancellations of visas. Hence, make sure to keep yourself updated with the latest immigration laws and policies.

Once you get the green light from the immigration department, you can enter Japan to live the life you have always dreamed of. Below are some things you can expect after arriving in Japan:

• After touching down at the Japan airport, you will undergo an immigration procedure where your documents will be verified. Depending on the type of your visa, you might also have to go through an interview regarding your purpose of visiting the country.

• The airports in Japan are well equipped with all the necessary amenities, such as currency exchange counters, ATMs, shopping stores, and so on. While you can also find plenty of transportation options there, it is recommended to book your transportation in advance for added convenience.

• Although English is widely spoken in Japan, there are some areas where the use of English is very limited. Hence, it is advised to have a basic knowledge of the Japanese language.

• Within a few days of arrival, you will need to obtain a residence permit or card from the municipal office of the city or town you will live in.

• Familiarise yourself with the local workplace and social culture to blend in the environment comfortably.

As you can see, health insurance is an important requirement for the visa application process. It helps you by offering financial coverage during unexpected medical emergencies in a foreign land.

But instead of opting for a health insurance policy separately, you can invest in Tata AIG Travel Insurance Japan for comprehensive coverage.

Our international travel insurance policies not only cover you against medical emergencies but also support you during other unforeseen situations such as flight cancellations, loss of personal belongings/baggage/documents, etc.

So, safeguard your journey abroad today by investing in our overseas travel insurance.

Having a Japanese work visa is one of the most popular ways to enter Japan. It enables you to work legally in the country and enjoy the resulting advantages such as career growth opportunities, better salaries, higher living standards, work-life balance, and so on.

This post has outlined in detail the Japan work visa requirements for Indian citizens as well as the process. We hope it helps you in starting your journey abroad.

Information last updated Jan '24. While this information is sourced reliably, visa requirements can change. For the most current visa details, visit the official Consulate/Embassy website.