Types of Residence Status in Japan: A Comprehensive Guide

Foreign nationals must obtain a status of residence under the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act (ICRRA) to legally reside and work in Japan. As of April 2026, there are 29 categories of residence status, covering employment, family, study, and designated activities. Recent reforms — including the October 2025 Business Manager visa overhaul and the upcoming Employment-for-Skill-Development Program in April 2027 — are reshaping the landscape.

Basic Concepts and Legal Status of Residence Statuses

What Is the Status of Residence?

It is a concept that combines the elements of ‘activity’ and ‘residence’ and is a qualification under the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act (ICRRA) that allows foreign nationals to stay in Japan and engage in certain activities. In short, it is the qualification required for foreign nationals to stay in Japan.

Foreign nationals who wish to engage in activities in Japan can do so by being granted residence status as specified in the ICRRA. Those without a residence status are considered to be staying in Japan illegally and may be subject to deportation proceedings.

The Legal Basis for Residence Status

In Japan, the residence status system manages foreign nationals’ entry, exit, and stay. This system is based on the legal status of residence under the ICRRA.

The ICRRA specifies the permitted activities of foreign nationals residing in Japan, thereby clarifying their legal status.

Compatibility for a Status of Residence and with Landing Permission Criteria

When applying for a residence status, it is important to understand the concepts of compatibility for a ‘residence status’ and ‘with landing permission criteria’.

Compatibility for a status of residence refers to the alignment between the activities that a foreign national intends to engage in within Japan and the activities permitted under their residence status. For instance, individuals with an ‘Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Service’ residence status must be actively involved in the permitted business activities.

Compatibility with landing permission criteria means that the conditions for landing in Japan (landing permission criteria) set for each residence status are met. These conditions are set out in the ICRRA’s Enforcement Regulations.

For certain residence statuses, where it is deemed necessary to adjust the scope of landing permission from an immigration control policy perspective, taking into account factors such as the impact on the economy and national life, additional landing conditions may be required, in addition to residence status eligibility.

Types and Characteristics of Residence Statuses That Allow Employment

Among the residence statuses in Japan, those that allow employment are broadly divided into ‘employment statuses with activity restrictions’ and ‘status-based statuses without activity restrictions.’ As of April 2026, there are 29 categories of residence status in Japan. For details on work visa application procedures, see our “Basic Guide to Applying for a Work Visa”. The following is an overview of the main categories that allow employment.

Residence Statuses That Allow Employment (with Activity Restrictions)

These residence statuses allow employment in specific occupations or activities.

Highly Skilled Professionals

Highly Skilled Professionals 1: This residence status is granted to those who meet the requirements (total points assigned to each item, such as educational background and work experience) for ‘Technology, Humanities, and International Services.’ It offers preferential treatment in immigration control, and the period of stay is five years.

Highly Skilled Professionals 2: This residence status is available for those transitioning from Highly Skilled Professionals 1. It allows the holder to engage in almost all work activities and provides preferential treatment, such as an indefinite period of stay.

Specialised and Technical Fields

Engineer, Specialist in Humanities and International Services: This residence status is for individuals engaged in work requiring specialised knowledge or skills, such as mechanical engineers, interpreters, designers, and language instructors. The period of stay is selected from 5 years, 3 years, 1 year, or 3 months.

Business Manager: This residence status is for managers and executives of companies and other organisations. It applies to foreign nationals who establish and manage a company in Japan. The period of stay is 5 years, 3 years, 1 year, 6 months, 4 months, or 3 months.

Important: As of October 16, 2025, the Business Manager visa requirements have been significantly reformed. New requirements include a minimum capital of JPY 30 million, at least one full-time employee, and Japanese language proficiency (CEFR B2). For details, see our guide: “Japan Business Manager Visa 2025 Reform: New JPY 30M Capital Requirement Explained”.

Professor: This residence status is for academic researchers such as university professors. The period of stay is 5 years, 3 years, 1 year, or 3 months.

Medical Services: This residence status is for medical professionals such as doctors, dentists, and nurses. The period of stay is 5 years, 3 years, 1 year, or 3 months.

Specific Industry Fields

Specified Skilled Worker: This status is for foreign workers in labour-shortage sectors. SSW-1 allows a cumulative stay of up to five years; SSW-2 has no renewal limit and permits family accompaniment. Following a 2023 Cabinet decision, SSW-2 was expanded from 2 to 11 eligible fields, significantly broadening the long-term employment pathway.

Technical Intern Training: This status allows a maximum stay of three years (Types 1 and 2 combined) for the purpose of international skills transfer. The Technical Intern Training Programme will be abolished in April 2027 and replaced by the new Employment-for-Skill-Development Program. The new system permits job changes under certain conditions, a major departure from the current framework.

Other Work Qualifications

Nursing Care: A residence status for care workers, with a stay of 5 years, 3 years, 1 year, or 3 months.

Skilled Labour: A residence status for people with specialised skills, such as foreign chefs and sports instructors. The period of stay is 5 years, 3 years, 1 year, or 3 months.

Intra-company Transferee: A residence status for transferees from overseas offices, with a stay of 5 years, 3 years, 1 year, or 3 months.

Status of Residence Based on Status or Position (No Restrictions on Activities)

These residence statuses are based on specific status or position, and holders can engage in any occupation in Japan.

Permanent Resident: Granted to those with permanent residence permission, with no restrictions on the period of stay. Note: the 2024 ICRRA amendment introduced a revocation system for permanent residence (grounds include wilful non-payment of taxes and social insurance), effective 2027. The application fee was raised from ¥8,000 to ¥10,000 in April 2025, with a further substantial increase (statutory cap of ¥300,000) planned for FY2026.

Spouse or Child of Japanese National: A residence status granted to spouses, biological children, and specially adopted children of Japanese nationals, with a period of stay of 5 years, 3 years, 1 year, or 3 months.

Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident: A status of residence granted to spouses of permanent residents or special permanent residents, and biological children born in Japan who have continued to reside in Japan. The period of stay is 5 years, 3 years, 1 year, or 3 months.

Long-Term Resident: This residence status is granted to third-generation Japanese nationals, foreign spouses’ children, and others. It allows them to stay in Japan for a period specified by the Minister of Justice (up to 5 years). It is also available to those who enter Japan before graduating from elementary school, and in principle, they can engage in any work.

Overview of Non-Working Residence Statuses

Non-working residence status refers to residence status that does not have employment in Japan as its main purpose. In principle, you cannot work in Japan with these statuses.

Main Non-Working Residence Statuses

Student: This residence status is for students enrolled in universities, vocational schools, Japanese language schools, etc. The period of stay is up to 4 years and 3 months. In principle, you cannot work, but you can work part-time for up to 28 hours per week if you obtain permission for activities outside your residence status.

Dependant: This residence status is for spouses and children of foreign nationals in Japan under a work visa or other status. The maximum period of stay is 5 years. In principle, employment is not permitted, but with a qualification for activities outside the scope of the residence status, part-time work of up to 28 hours per week is possible.

Cultural Activities: This residence status is for researchers of Japanese culture who will stay for 3 years, 1 year, 6 months, or 3 months. Employment is not permitted.

Temporary Visitor: This is a status of residence for tourists, conference participants, etc., with a period of stay of 90 days, 30 days, or 15 days. Employment is not permitted.

Designated Activities

Designated Activities is a broad category with over 50 subcategories, individually designated by the Minister of Justice. In addition to traditional types (domestic helpers for diplomats, working holidays), recent additions include:

Digital Nomad visa (Gazette No. 53, launched April 2024): annual income of ¥10 million or more, 49 eligible nationalities, maximum six-month stay
Startup Visa (Foreign Entrepreneur Promotion Programme): expanded nationwide in January 2025 with a maximum two-year stay, allowing business preparation before transitioning to a Business Manager visa

Whether employment is permitted depends on the specific designation.

Key Points and Precautions for Selecting a Residence Status

Criteria for Selecting a Residence Status

When selecting a residence status, it is essential to consider the following points.

Compatibility with your planned activities: You must confirm that your planned activities are permitted under the residence status you select.
Length of stay: Each status of residence has a specified period of stay. If you plan to stay in Japan for an extended period, consider a status of residence that allows for a more extended stay.
Possibility of changing your residence status: If you plan to engage in different activities, the ease of changing your residence status is also an essential factor to consider.

Special Provisions for Foreign Nationals Raised in Japan

Foreign nationals who were raised in Japan are subject to special employment treatment. Foreign nationals who entered Japan before the age of 17 and graduated from high school may be eligible for the ‘Permanent Resident’ or ‘Designated Activities’ status of residence, which allows them to work without restrictions on the type of work they can do.

Change from Non-Employment to Employment

When changing from a non-working residence status (such as student or dependant) to a working residence status, you must meet the requirements for the new status. For example, international students who wish to work must change their residence status to one corresponding to their academic background and job type.

Maintaining Eligibility for Residence Status

Even after obtaining a residence status, it is important to continue engaging in activities corresponding to that status. For example, if a person with a ‘Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Service’ residence status resigns from their company, they must either find another appropriate employer or change to a different residence status. Otherwise, their compatibility for the residence status may be denied, and they may be subject to revocation or denial of renewal.

Application Support Services Offered by Our Firm

Our firm provides comprehensive support related to residence status for foreign nationals and companies that employ foreign nationals.

Services Offered

Application for Certificate of Eligibility
Application for Extension of Period of Stay
Application for Change of Status of Residence
Application for Permanent Residence
Application for Certificate of Authorized Employment
Application for Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted Under The Status of Residence Previously Granted
Other applications related to status of residence

Our Strengths

AEGIS International Administrative Firm is located in Minato-ku, Tokyo, and we are certified administrative scriveners (gyouseishoshi) specialising in immigration procedures. We differentiate ourselves in the following ways.

English support: We provide detailed explanations and support in English for foreign residents in Japan.
Specialised knowledge: We specialise in residence status applications and are familiar with the latest legal changes and immigration procedures.
Corporate support: We provide comprehensive support for companies hiring foreign talent, from selecting the appropriate residence status to application procedures and follow-up after employment.
Individualised support: We strive to provide services tailored to each individual’s situation and needs.

Inquiries

If you have any questions about residence status or require application support, please feel free to contact our office. We propose optimal solutions tailored to each client’s circumstances and objectives.