For those who want to stay in Japan for a long time, how to obtain a Japan long-term visa is definitely an important issue. As one of the major countries in East Asia, Japan has a rich and eternal culture and strong scientific and technological capabilities, and its closeness with Taiwan attracts many Taiwanese tourists! Whether you want to live in Japan or study abroad and look for a job, you may consider applying for a long-term visa for Japan. In this article, we will introduce our readers to the types of Japanese visas and 7 types of long-term visas to help them understand the application process and precautions!
What are the types of Japanese visas?
According to the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japanese visas are mainly divided into three types: short-term stay visas, medical stay visas, and long-term work visas:
Japan Visa Category 1: Short Stay (Short Stay on Visa)
Those who enter Japan on a short-term visit or tourist visa are usually for the purpose of sightseeing, business travel, or visiting relatives or friends. Such short-term stay visas do not allow them to receive salary through short-term work and the period of stay in Japan must not exceed 90 days.
Currently, citizens of 71 countries, including Taiwan, can enter Japan without a visa! However, other countries such as China, Russia, CIS countries (member countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States), Philippines, and Vietnam need to apply for a short-term visit visa or tourist visa at the Japanese embassy or consulate general abroad in each country to enter Japan.
Japan Visa Type 2: Medical Visa (Medical Visa)
Medical Residence Visa in Japan is a visa issued for foreign patients and their companions who are going to Japan for medical treatment. A medical stay visa is not limited to treatment at a medical institution, but can also be accepted for a wide range of purposes, including medical examinations and hot spring treatment.
The period of stay of medical stay visa is basically limited to 90 days, and can be applied for multiple times. Multiple applications must be accompanied by a treatment schedule issued by the relevant doctor. If necessary, the accompanying person will also be issued the same visa as a foreign patient. In addition, the companion must not engage in any paid activities as he is traveling to Japan to care for foreign patients.
If hospitalization occurs in Japan, the period of stay can be extended up to 6 months or 1 year depending on the patient’s treatment situation (however, multiple applications cannot be made). Foreign visitors who need to apply can prepare relevant application documents and apply to Japanese embassies and consulates in each country.
Japan Visa Category 3: Work/Long-Term Stay (Work/Long-Term Stay Visa)
A work/long-stay visa is a visa issued for the purpose of employment or long-term stay, and also includes a working holiday system. Such visas can be applied for general visa, work visa, highly professional visa, specified visa, start-up (entrepreneurship) visa, diplomatic visa, official visa and official visa. The specific length of stay depends on each type of visa. Detailed long-term visa instructions and how to apply are explained in the following paragraphs!
Types of long-stay visas in Japan
There are quite a lot of types of long-stay visas in Japan, and we can choose depending on the purpose of going to Japan. Below, I will introduce seven relatively common types of long-stay visas in Japan, and explain in detail related information such as eligibility restrictions and period of stay for each visa.
Long-Term Visa for Japan 1: General Visa
Those who come to learn Japanese culture, such as study abroad, training, training (for example, training from a company, municipality, etc. that is not related to the trainee’s practical work), unpaid internship, or those who have obtained a long-term stay visa If your spouse or child comes with your family, you need to apply for a general visa.
💡 General Visa Duration of Stay
- Study abroad: 3 months to a maximum of 4 years and 3 months
- Training: 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, 3 years
- Cultural activities or internships: 3 months, 6 months, 1 year
- Family stay: 3 months to up to 5 years
Japan Long-Term Visa 2: Employment Visa
If you have a full-time salaried employee employed by a Japanese company, you can apply for a work visa. Occupational visas include 16 types of occupations, including teaching, arts, religion, media reporting, business administration, legal/accounting work, medical care, research, education, technical/humanities knowledge/international work, intra-company personnel transfer, and nursing.
💡 Work Visa Stay Period
- Management: 3 months, 4 months, 1 year, 3 years, 5 years
- Other occupation: 3 months, 1 year, 3 years, 5 years
Japan Long-Term Visa 3: Highly Professional
High-level professionals are also a type of work visa, which was established to send high-level professionals of foreign nationality (e.g., academic researchers, lawyers, engineers, and other professional technicians) to Japan by granting medium-to long-term residence visas and preferential conditions.
Based on the examination of the applicant’s academic background and various related qualifications, an application can be made if the total score exceeds 70 points. Highly professional occupations are classified into the following three types:
(1) Advanced Professional No. 1 (a): Advanced academic research activities
Professionals engaged in advanced academic research activities. In other words, if you are engaged in research or teaching activities at a public or private institution in Japan, you can apply for this category. For example, professors, lecturers and researchers from research institutes can apply for this visa category.
(2) Highly specialized position No. 1 (b): Highly specialized and technical activities
You can apply for this category if you are an upgraded version of the technical, humanities, and international business within your work visa and are engaged in business activities with specialized knowledge or skills in Japan based on a contract with a Japanese public or private institution.
(3) Highly professional No. 1 (c): Advanced management and management activities
You can apply for this category if you are engaged in management or management activities in a public or private institution in Japan.
💡 Duration of stay for highly specialized professionals
- Foreigners who meet advanced professional qualifications: 5 years
- Foreigners eligible for the Special Advanced Human Resources System: 5 years
- Spouses and children of persons with advanced professional qualifications and special advanced human resources programs: 1 year, 3 years, 5 years
Japan Long-Term Visa 4: Specified Visa
Specified visas can be applied for by spouses, children of Japanese nationals or permanent residents, and those engaged in specified activities (including working holidays, paid internships, long-term tourism plans, future talent programs, etc.). If you are an outstanding overseas university graduate who meets certain conditions, you can apply for a two-year Specified Activity Status of Residence and find a job in Japan.
💡 Specific Visa Stay Period
- Specific activity: 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, 3 years, 5 years
- Spouse or child of a Japanese national: 6 months, 1 year, 3 years, 5 years
- Children of spouse of eligible permanent resident: 6 months, 1 year, 3 years, 5 years
Japan Long-Term Visa 5: Entrepreneurship Visa
Foreign entrepreneurs supported by municipalities and private enterprises certified by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, and their spouses and children can apply for this entrepreneur visa.
💡 Period of stay for entrepreneurship visa
- Work visa: 6 months, 1 year
Japan Long-Term Visa 6: Diplomatic Visa
If you are a member of a diplomatic mission or consulate of a foreign government accepted by the Japanese government, you can apply for this diplomatic visa.
💡 Duration of stay on a diplomatic visa
- Diplomatic visa: During diplomatic activities
Long Stay Visa in Japan 7: Business Visa
Persons working in Japan for foreign governments or international organizations commissioned by the Japanese government, as well as their spouses and children, may apply for official visas.
💡 Period of stay for official visa
- Business Visa: 15 days, 30 days, 3 months, 1 year, 3 years, 5 years
Long-Term Visa Application Process for Japan
Before introducing the visa application procedure, we must explain the difference between a visa and a status of residence. In Japan, visa and status of residence are often considered the same, but strictly speaking, a visa is a document issued by a Japanese embassy or consulate overseas before entering Japan to confirm whether the passport is valid or not and whether the applicant can enter the country legally. A status of residence is a permit issued by the Immigration Bureau of the Ministry of Justice of Japan after entering Japan and classifies a series of activities such as living, working, and living in Japan.
That’s why! When a foreigner enters Japan, stays for a long period of time, and engages in activities, he or she must obtain a visa and status of residence that are appropriate for the activities. In general, when traveling to Japan with a specific status, the order is normal to first obtain a status of residence and then apply for a visa corresponding to that status. Below, I would like to guide you through the process of applying for a long-term visa in Japan!
STEP 1: Submit and apply for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
First, submit documents such as a Certificate of Eligibility (Certificate of Eligibility COE) to Japan’s Immigration and Residence Administration Agency.The documents to be submitted vary depending on the status of residence, so please refer to the website of the Japan Immigration and Immigration Services Agency. However, it basically includes a certificate of residence, a headshot (3 x 4 cm), a return envelope, etc.
STEP 2: Wait about 1-3 months for the review period
After submitting the Certificate of Eligibility (COE), the standard COE review period is 1-3 months. Every November to March of the following year is the peak period for immigration screening, and the screening period is relatively long. If readers apply within this period, they will have to wait patiently!
STEP 3: Apply for a visa at the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association with your Certificate of Residence
Once you have obtained your Certificate of Eligibility (COE), you can apply for a visa at the Japan-Taiwan Association! Generally, this Certificate of Eligibility is valid for 3 months, and if you do not successfully obtain a visa within the validity period, the Certificate of Eligibility will expire and you will need to reapply.
According to the regulations of the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association, the common documents to be submitted when applying for a Japanese visa are as follows.
- Original passport (please submit your old passport with it if you have it)
- Visa application form (must be signed by the applicant himself/herself and match the signature field in the passport)
- 5 cm straight x 3.5 cm wide color white background ID photo (taken within 6 months, front, hat off, no background)
- Original and one copy of the back of your ID card (if you are under 14 years old, you must submit the original and a copy of your family register in place of your ID card)
- Original and one copy of the front and back of the Certificate of Eligibility
Depending on the type of visa, the documents that need to be filled are different. For example, for a work visa, additional documents such as a diploma (or certificate of expected graduation) and transcripts (indication of elective courses) must be submitted, but for other documents that must be submitted for a visa, you can check with the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association.
STEP 4: Wait about 5-7 days for the issue date.
In principle, it is issued within 5 working days of receipt of the visa application, but if additional materials are required for review, the issuance of the visa may be delayed.
STEP 5: After entering Japan with the visa you applied for, receive your residence card
When you enter Japan, you will receive your residence card, and within two weeks of receiving your residence card, please do not forget to register your residence at the city, ward, town, or village office (city hall, ward office, etc.) where you live.
Frequently Asked Questions about Japan Visa
Q: Which long-term visa is easier to apply for?
When staying in Japan for a long time, there are six types of visas that you often apply for: student visa, part-time vacation visa, work visa, highly professional visa, business management visa, and specified skills visa. I have organized the priorities of each type of visa in the table below for the reference of readers who need it!
| Type | Time of stay | Application Location | Application conditions | Features |
| Student Visa | Limited to 4 years and 3 months | Japan | Must have a high school diploma or higher, obtain a Japanese school admission permit, and have proof of financial resources of 700,000 to 800,000 yen. | You can apply for permission to engage in activities outside your qualifications |
| Working Holiday Visa | 1 year | Taiwan | The applicant is 18 years old or older and 30 years old or younger, and has proof of financial resources of 80,000 or more. | Low hurdles to apply |
| Work Visa | 1 year, 3 years, 5 years | Japan | Application cooperation by hiring companies | Extendable signature |
| Highly professional visa | 5 years | Japan | Scored more than 70 points on the academic qualifications examination | Easy to apply for permanent residence |
| Business Administration Visa | 1 year limited | Japan | You need to invest 5 million yen. | Entrepreneurs only |
| Specified Skilled Visa | Replace 1 day for 5 years, 2 days for an unlimited number of times | Japan | Must have basic knowledge and skills in No. 1 designated industries (14 industries in total) (must pass a skill test). No. 2 requires advanced knowledge of the construction and shipbuilding industries | Mostly labor-intensive work |
In addition to study visas, 10 types of work visas, technology, humanities knowledge, and international business are the work visas that Taiwanese people obtain the most in Japan. According to statistics from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications of Japan, such visas will be issued in 2022. The number of Taiwanese has reached 12,000.
Q: What should I do if my Certificate of Eligibility (COE) is refused?
If the submission of the Certificate of Eligibility (COE) is refused, the examinee and his/her office may have been judged to be at risk or irregular by the Japan Immigration and Residence Administration Agency. If you are rejected, you can first amend your submission and then apply again.
Latest for 2024! Japan promotes digital nomad visa
If the long-term stay visa mentioned above does not suit your purpose of traveling to Japan, or if you are unable to apply for a work visa because you have not obtained employment qualifications for a Japanese company, consider the digital nomadic visa that Japan will release at the end of March 2024. Why not try it!
The Digital Nomad Visa system mainly allows remote workers with stable incomes to live and work abroad. This remote worker does not have to rely on local job opportunities. At the same time, it can also stimulate tourism!
Japan Digital Nomad Visa Application Eligibility
- Applicants must be from one of the 49 countries to which Japan has opened visa waivers, including the United States, Australia, Thailand, Singapore and Taiwan.
- Applicants must have an annual personal income of 10 million yen (approximately NT $2.1 million).
- Self-employed people can also apply, but must have personal health insurance
- The employer must be a company that is not registered in Japan.
Other Japan Digital Nomad Visa Notes
- The period of stay in Japan is 6 months.
- Visa applicants can enter the country with their spouse and children
- Visas expire and cannot be renewed. You must reapply within 6 months of leaving Japan.
