Living in Japan long-term means a work visa, with rare exceptions (marriage, Japanese ancestry). These visas, their logic, conditions, and daily reality are almost never explained clearly. This guide untangles them, then moves on to what comes right after: actually finding a job in Japan as a foreigner.
Fifteen years in Tokyo and I’ve seen dozens of paths up close. Three sit in the back of my mind as I write this. An American dev who joined Mercari on the Engineer visa, switched to HSP after three years, and has permanent residency today. A Belgian friend who set up a ceramics studio in Mashiko on the Business Manager visa (and who would have been stuck had she waited six months longer, see the October 2025 change below). A Swiss consultant who jumped on the Digital Nomad visa the day it launched in 2024, splitting six months between Tokyo and Onomichi with no employer to worry about. Three profiles, three visas, three logics. The right visa is the one that fits your project, not the other way around.
Disclaimer: Japanese immigration law evolves regularly, and each individual case has its subtleties. Always cross-check current conditions on the Japan Immigration Services Agency website. The point here is to give you the mental map, not the administrative form.
The logic of Japanese visas
In Japan, unlike Europe or the United States, the work visa is tied to your professional activity, not to you as a person. You don’t apply for “a generic work visa”, you apply for a visa for a specific job: engineer, teacher, chef, business manager. The system lists 27 categories of permitted professional activities, each with its own criteria.
Practical consequence: for most visas, you need a Japanese employer who sponsors you. You can’t arrive in Japan without a contract and look for work (except on the Working Holiday, see my Japan Working Holiday guide). The job comes first, the visa after.
The main work visa categories
Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services
By far the most common visa for foreign graduates. Three sub-categories grouped:
- Engineer: technical jobs (developer, engineer, scientist, architect). Bachelor’s degree minimum in the field, or 10 years of experience.
- Specialist in Humanities: analysis, consulting, marketing, finance, legal, communications. Bachelor’s degree minimum in a relevant field or 10 years of experience.
- International Services: translators, foreign-language teachers, designers, jobs requiring “foreign sensibility”. 3 years of experience often enough (sometimes without a degree).
Typical duration: 1, 3 or 5 years, renewable. Minimum salary required: generally aligned with what a Japanese person would earn in the same role (between 200,000 and 300,000 yen per month for an entry level). The employer handles almost all the paperwork via the “Certificate of Eligibility” (COE).
Instructor / Professor
For teaching at a public or private institution. Instructor covers primary, junior and senior high schools (notably the JET Program, which places language assistants). Professor is for universities. Conditions: degree matching the teaching level, letter from the employing institution.
The JET Programme (Japan Exchange and Teaching) is a classic entry door: one year renewable up to five years, first-year salary of 335,000 yen per month (≈ 4,020,000 yen/year) since April 2025, often subsidized housing. For graduates from JET-eligible countries, one of the simplest paths to long-term Japan.
Business Manager
For those who want to create or run a business in Japan. ⚠️ Major change in October 2025: minimum capital rose from 5 million yen to 30 million yen (about $200,000). Requirements have tightened: physical office in Japan (not a coworking space), at least one full-time Japan-resident employee, management experience or a master’s/doctoral degree in the field, and Japanese language ability. You can obtain it by creating your own company (KK or GK). Existing holders have until October 16, 2028 to come into compliance; new applicants are subject to the tightened regime.
This is the visa for startup founders, restaurateurs, freelance consultants who settle. More demanding administratively, but also the most freeing: you’re your own sponsor.
Highly Skilled Professional (HSP)
Points-based system created in 2012 to attract international talent. You’re scored on degrees, experience, salary, age, Japanese language. Above 70 points, you get a 5-year visa with privileges (accelerated permanent residency, ability to bring parents and a domestic helper, etc.). At 80 points, fast-track to permanent residency in 1 year.
If you’re a graduate from a strong university, with a few years of experience and a decent salary (minimum required: 3 million yen annually), HSP is almost always preferable to the classic Engineer / Specialist. Apply for it directly.
Spouse of Japanese National / Spouse of Permanent Resident
If you marry a Japanese national (or a permanent resident in Japan), you’re entitled to a Spouse visa, with no activity restriction. You can work anywhere, in any field, full-time or part-time, create a business. The most freedom-giving visa. Duration: 1, 3, or 5 years, renewable. Path to permanent residency after 3 years of marriage and 1 year of residence in Japan (or 5 years of residence for the permanent path).
Skilled Labor (Gino)
For specialized technical professions where expertise is built through practice rather than a degree: foreign chefs (French, Italian, Indian, etc. cuisine), aircraft pilots, sommeliers, animal trainers, certain craftspeople. Standard conditions: 5 to 10 years of documented experience in the trade (3 for some specialized chefs). This is the typical route for foreign chefs working at restaurants in Japan.
Specified Skilled Worker (Tokutei Gino)
Visa created in 2019 to fill labor shortages in 14 sectors (hospitality, food service, care work, agriculture, construction, etc.). Two tiers: SSW1 (5 years non-renewable, no family allowed), SSW2 (renewable, family reunification possible, path to permanent residency). Requires a sector-specific skills exam + Japanese test (N4 minimum). Important route for those targeting a skilled but non-degreed profession.
Intra-company Transferee
For employees of a foreign company being transferred to a Japanese subsidiary. Conditions: at least 1 year of seniority at the parent company before the transfer. Heavily used by multinationals. The visa is tied to your role: if you leave the company, you must switch to another status.
Long-Term Resident
Visa rarely awarded directly, but important to know about. Concerns notably descendants of Japanese nationals (up to the third generation, especially relevant for Brazilian and Peruvian Japanese diaspora communities), ex-spouses of Japanese nationals with children, and certain humanitarian authorization cases. Also gives access to any professional activity.
Digital Nomad Visa (since 2024)
The 2024 newcomer. 6-month visa, non-renewable (you can return 6 months later), for remote workers under contract with a foreign company. Main conditions:
- Minimum annual income of 10 million yen (around $66,000). High, but reflects the targeting of established international executives and entrepreneurs.
- Eligible countries: about 50, including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, France, Germany, Switzerland, Singapore, etc. Not all countries.
- Mandatory private health insurance covering 10 million yen for hospitalization.
- No access to Japanese national health insurance or a local bank account. The visa is short and remains a parenthesis, not a settling.
- Spouse and children can accompany you on a derivative visa.
Who’s it for? Tech executives, consultants, remote entrepreneurs, foreign correspondents, writers. Not for those who want to settle long-term (then prefer Business Manager or a classic work visa). See my guide to spending a month in a small Japanese town, which fits this visa well.
Finding a job in Japan: the reality
Having the right visa is only half the journey. Finding the employer who sponsors is the other half, and often the harder one. Some useful truths:
- The Japanese market doesn’t recruit like the European or American markets. Network, word-of-mouth, specialized agencies count enormously. Cold applications on a job board have a very low response rate.
- Japanese opens everything. Without it, you’re limited to international companies, language jobs, teaching, a few niche sectors. With N3-N2 (B2-C1), you access ten times more positions.
- The degree matters more than in the US. Especially the alma mater. Graduates from Stanford, MIT, Oxford, Cambridge or equivalents start 30% higher.
- Age is still a factor. Beyond 35-40, some employers become reluctant for junior roles. True and explicit here, not a hidden bias.
- The Japanese-style CV (rirekisho) is structured differently: photo, dates in Japanese format, chronological path. If you apply to a Japanese company, follow the format. For foreign companies, Western CV.
Where to look concretely
Job boards (foreigner-friendly)
- GaijinPot Jobs: the largest aggregator for foreigners in Japan. Covers teaching, hospitality, IT, marketing.
- Wantedly: startups and tech. Most recruiters speak English. Heavily used by modern companies.
- LinkedIn: underused in Japan but good for international companies and senior roles. Recruiters present in growing numbers.
- Daijob: bilingual roles at higher salary levels.
- JET Programme: the official language teaching program, applications via Japanese embassies in each country. Competitive selection but excellent entry point.
Specialized recruitment agencies
- Robert Walters Japan: finance, IT, marketing, mid-senior bilingual roles. Very professional, long but serious process.
- Hays Japan: similar, focused on tech and finance.
- Michael Page Japan: senior roles, especially finance and industries.
- en world: specialized recruitment, many confidential mandates.
Agencies cost you nothing (paid by the employer). Sign up with 2-3, don’t be exclusive. A good recruiter changes your career in Japan.
Network and events
- Chamber of Commerce events (American Chamber, British Chamber, etc.): for those in tech or business. Monthly events, efficient networking.
- Tokyo Founders / startup meetups: for those who want to integrate the startup ecosystem. Wantedly, Indeed Japan, Justa host these events.
- Sector conferences: Tokyo’s calendar is dense. Attend, hand out cards (meishi), follow up actively.
Salaries: what to expect
Indicative gross annual ranges in yen (in 2026), for foreigners in Tokyo at mid-to-large Japanese companies:
- Junior tech / dev (0-3 years): 4,000,000 – 6,000,000 yen ($26,000 – $40,000). More at foreign startups or local GAFA (up to 8-10 million).
- Senior tech / dev (5-10 years): 7,000,000 – 12,000,000 yen ($46,000 – $80,000). 15-20 million at major international companies.
- Engineering manager / lead: 12,000,000 – 20,000,000 yen. Foreign companies pay better than Japanese ones.
- Marketing / sales (mid-level): 5,000,000 – 9,000,000 yen.
- JET teacher (since April 2025): 4,020,000 yen in the first year, higher in subsequent years (housing often subsidized).
- Eikaiwa (private language school): 2,800,000 – 3,600,000 yen. Low, to be avoided except as a transition.
- High-end hospitality: 3,000,000 – 5,000,000 yen.
- Experienced chef: 4,000,000 – 8,000,000 yen.
Useful comparison: a 6-million-yen salary ($40,000) in Tokyo allows a comfortable life with no excess (rent 110,000 yen, reasonable life). At 10 million, you live well. At 15 million, you live very well and save. The cost of living in Tokyo in 2026, especially food and transport, remains competitive against London, NYC, or San Francisco. See my Japan budget guide.
Daily life as a foreign salaryman in Japan
Once hired, here’s what truly differs from a European or US executive’s life:
- Overtime is still cultural, even though the law tightened in 2019. In a classic Japanese company, leaving exactly at 6pm is still seen as suspicious. In a foreign company or a startup, it’s normal.
- Nomikai (team evening outings) are practically obligatory culturally, especially early in your job. Not in every sector, but be ready.
- Vacations are rarely taken. 10 paid days/year by law after 6 months of service (then 11 after 1.5 years, gradually rising to 20 after 6.5 years), but many don’t use them out of a culture of not bothering colleagues. Since 2019, employers are legally required to ensure at least 5 of those days are taken. Force yourself on the rest.
- Remote work has spread post-COVID, but is less frequent than in Europe. Foreign companies and startups often offer remote, traditional Japanese companies prefer the office.
- Career progression is slower in classic Japanese companies (seniority system). Faster in foreign subsidiaries or startups.
- Job security is high: firing in Japan is legally very difficult (except gross misconduct). Advantage to the employee, constraint to the employer.
Toward permanent residency
Permanent residency (Eijuken) frees you from any sponsorship, gives you access to mortgages, and lets you change careers freely. Standard conditions:
- 10 years of continuous residence in Japan, with at least 5 years on a work visa.
- 3 years if married to a Japanese national (5 years of marriage in total, 3 years of residence).
- 1 year if you’re Highly Skilled Professional with 80 points (fast-track).
- 3 years with 70 HSP points.
- Clean criminal record, taxes and insurance up to date, stable salary, attestation from a Japanese guarantor.
The processing takes 6-12 months. Many long-term foreigners get it. For those who love this country, it’s an important moment: you stop being a permanent visitor.
My tips if you’re starting the hunt
- Start the search 4-6 months ahead. Japanese processes are slow (multiple interviews, internal validations), and the COE takes 2-3 months after the offer is accepted.
- Don’t accept the first offer. Many employers undervalue foreigners on first contact. Compare 2-3 offers minimum.
- Negotiate: contrary to the myth, it’s possible and accepted, especially in international companies. Negotiate salary, housing allowance, vacation days.
- Plan your arrival like a project. Temporary hotel for 1 month, apartment search (gaijin-friendly only, see my Working Holiday guide), ward office registration, bank account opening. Count 1 month between arrival and daily stability.
- Above all: make sure you really want to live here. A career in Japan also means social and cultural compromises that only become visible after 1-2 years. Read my honest take: Why Move to Japan (and Why Not).
For young people who want to start with a year before settling, see the Japan Working Holiday guide. To understand daily life before committing, the Japanese etiquette guide. And to plan your first destinations once installed, my picks of lesser-known Tokyo neighborhoods and the most beautiful Japanese villages.