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  •  /  Japan
  • Country Overviews

Japan

At a Glance

Capital Tokyo
Language Japanese
Population 126,476,000
GDP Total $5 trillion
GDP Per Capita $39,082.10
Assessing Travel and Visa Obligations

 

When traveling to Japan, your nationality and the types of activities you will conduct during your trip will determine whether you may travel lawfully as a business visitor or if you require work authorization. Please seek advice from your immigration counsel if you are uncertain about the specific types of activities that constitute business or work.

 

Traveling for Business

 

What types of activities may I engage in as a business visitor?

As a business visitor to Japan, you may engage in the activities below. While this list is not exhaustive and other activities could qualify as business, you may:

  • » Attend business meetings or seminars
  • » Buy goods for sale outside the country
  • » Tour a company facility

 

If I qualify as a business visitor, do I need a visa for Japan?

Nationals of the European Union, United States, and many other select countries are eligible for a visa waiver and are not required to obtain a visa in order to enter and conduct business activities in Japan. Additionally, holders of Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Business Travel Cards (ABTC) may be eligible to enter Japan and engage in permissible business activities without obtaining a visa. If you are not eligible for visa-waivered entry, you must obtain a Temporary Visitor Visa from a Japanese Embassy or Consulate prior to travel.

 

Working in Japan

 

What types of activities require work authorization?

The activities below, whether paid or unpaid, generally constitute work under Japanese law. This list is not exhaustive, and many other professional activities are considered work in Japan, even if conducted for a short duration.

  • » Providing technical training
  • » Performing audits
  • » Providing service for machinery, computer software, or equipment

In limited circumstances, business travelers may engage in specialized professional and technical activities, though an after-sales agreement and additional eligibility criteria may apply. An individual assessment is required before deciding whether a work authorization exemption is appropriate.

 

If I am traveling to Japan for work, what type of work authorization do I need?

The requirements for work authorization depend on your qualifications, on the nature and duration of your work, and on whether your employer has an entity in Japan. The most common categories of Japanese work-authorized statuses of residence are:

  • » Business Manager
  • » Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services
  • » Intra-Company Transferee
  • » Highly Skilled Professional
  • » Specified Skilled Worker
  • » Skilled Worker

 

Is it possible to be exempted from work authorization requirements?

There are no work authorization exemptions based on nationality or specific industries in Japan.

 

What else should I know?

 

Inevitably, the legal and strategic considerations impacting visa selection, as well as visa waiver and work authorization eligibility, entail the careful consideration of many factors. We recommend that you consult with your immigration counsel before taking any course of action.

 

Copyright © 2023 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. Government immigration agencies often change their policies and practices without notice; please consult an immigration professional for up-to-date information. This document does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. BAL maintains comprehensive immigration information and processing specifics for our clients.


News and Events

10 Jan 23

COVID-19: Predeparture testing requirements implemented for travelers from...

COVID-19 Japan

4 Jan 23

COVID-19: Testing requirements increased for visitors from mainland...

COVID-19 Japan

4 Nov 22

COVID-19: Fast-track entry procedures moved to immigration website

COVID-19 Japan

29 Sep 22

COVID-19: Entry requirements eased

COVID-19 Japan

29 Aug 22

COVID-19: Entry requirements to be eased

COVID-19 Japan

19 Aug 22

Online visa application services opened to U.S., Canadian...

Japan

19 Aug 22

COVID-19: Entry requirements amended

COVID-19 Japan

27 Jun 22

COVID-19: Validities of certain certificates of eligibility extended

COVID-19 Japan

21 Jun 22

COVID-19: Additional vaccination certificates accepted

COVID-19 Japan

3 Jun 22

COVID-19: Entry requirements updated, countries reclassified

COVID-19 Japan

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At a Glance

Capital Tokyo
Language Japanese
Population 126,476,000
GDP Total $5 trillion
GDP Per Capita $39,082.10

Related News

  • COVID-19: Predeparture testing requirements implemented for travelers from...

    JAPAN   10 Jan 23

  • COVID-19: Testing requirements increased for visitors from mainland...

    JAPAN   4 Jan 23

  • COVID-19: Fast-track entry procedures moved to immigration website

    JAPAN   4 Nov 22

  • COVID-19: Entry requirements eased

    JAPAN   29 Sep 22

  • COVID-19: Entry requirements to be eased

    JAPAN   29 Aug 22

  • Online visa application services opened to U.S., Canadian...

    JAPAN   19 Aug 22

  • COVID-19: Entry requirements amended

    JAPAN   19 Aug 22

  • COVID-19: Validities of certain certificates of eligibility extended

    JAPAN   27 Jun 22

  • COVID-19: Additional vaccination certificates accepted

    JAPAN   21 Jun 22

  • COVID-19: Entry requirements updated, countries reclassified

    JAPAN   3 Jun 22

  • COVID-19: Entry restrictions lifted for certain travelers

    JAPAN   20 Apr 22

  • COVID-19: Entry requirements for certain travelers updated

    JAPAN   11 Mar 22

  • COVID-19: Border measures to be eased

    JAPAN   22 Feb 22

  • COVID-19: Entry restrictions extended, arrival limits lowered

    JAPAN   18 Jan 22

  • COVID-19: Entry requirements expanded, exceptional circumstances reduced

    JAPAN   6 Dec 21

  • COVID-19: Entry requirements reduced for business travelers, students

    JAPAN   10 Nov 21

  • COVID-19: State of emergency lifted, quarantine requirements modified

    JAPAN   6 Oct 21

  • COVID-19: State of emergency extended

    JAPAN   22 Sep 21

  • COVID-19: State of emergency expanded, extended

    JAPAN   24 Aug 21

  • COVID-19: State of emergency announced, travel restrictions updated

    JAPAN   13 Jul 21

  • COVID-19: State of emergency ended, travel restrictions updated

    JAPAN   22 Jun 21

  • ‘Business Track’ and ‘Residence Track’ frameworks suspended

    JAPAN   26 Mar 21

  • COVID-19: Extension of validity period for Certificates of...

    JAPAN   29 Jan 21

  • COVID-19: “Business Track” and “Residence Track” travel framework...

    JAPAN   15 Jan 21

  • COVID-19: New travel restrictions imposed

    JAPAN   8 Jan 21

  • China added to Residence and Business Track frameworks...

    JAPAN   4 Dec 20

  • COVID-19: Entry ban updates announced

    JAPAN   12 Nov 20

  • COVID-19: Phased measures for resuming cross-border travel announced

    JAPAN   8 Oct 20

  • COVID-19: Re-entry of foreign nationals with the status...

    JAPAN   4 Sep 20

  • COVID-19: New restrictions imposed on re-entry of certain...

    JAPAN   7 Aug 20

  • COVID-19: More countries, regions added to restricted travel...

    JAPAN   4 Aug 20

  • COVID-19: Travel from 13 additional countries restricted

    JAPAN   20 May 20

  • COVID-19: Government expands entry ban

    JAPAN   11 May 20

  • COVID-19: Visitors arriving from US face quarantine 

    JAPAN   24 Mar 20

  • Government imposes entry ban for foreign nationals traveling...

    JAPAN   7 Feb 20

  • Draft law to require tuberculosis test of nationals...

    JAPAN   23 Jan 20

  • Authorities scrutinizing work permit applications filed by visitors

    JAPAN   13 Sep 19

  • New visas for recent university graduates available

    JAPAN   9 Jul 19

  • Registration period open for online application system

    JAPAN   14 Jun 19

  • New visa category for Olympics workers to be...

    JAPAN   29 May 19

  • Online applications, stricter foreign registration requirements coming

    JAPAN   13 Mar 19

  • Government closure set for April 27-May 6

    JAPAN   1 Mar 19

  • Immigration bill proposes significant changes to attract foreign...

    JAPAN   19 Dec 18

  • ‘Golden Week’ holidays to suspend processing

    JAPAN   25 Apr 18

  • Visa rules relaxed for Indian, Ukrainian nationals

    JAPAN   21 Nov 17

  • Visa waiver set for UAE citizens

    JAPAN   4 Aug 17

  • Japan moves to ease permanent residency requirements

    JAPAN   1 Aug 17

  • Japan to ease visa requirements for travelers from...

    JAPAN   30 May 17

  • Japan to offer 3-year, multiple-entry visas available to...

    JAPAN   28 Apr 17

  • ‘Golden Week’ holidays to suspend processing

    JAPAN   13 Apr 17

  • Changes to Highly Skilled Foreign Professional scheme being...

    JAPAN   2 Mar 17

  • Japan launches Trusted Traveler Program

    JAPAN   21 Nov 16

  • Dutch government: Japanese must apply for work permits

    JAPAN, NETHERLANDS   1 Jul 16

  • ‘Golden Week’ holidays to suspend processing

    JAPAN   19 Apr 16

  • 10-year multiple-entry visas extended to Indian nationals

    INDIA, JAPAN   19 Feb 16

  • More airports authorized to issue residence cards

    JAPAN   15 Jun 15

  • Immigration processing suspended during ‘Golden Week’ holidays

    JAPAN   23 Apr 15

  • Visa requirements eased for Chinese nationals

    JAPAN   3 Feb 15

  • Japan-Australia economic agreement to take effect

    AUSTRALIA, JAPAN   12 Jan 15

  • Foreign residents traveling outside Japan must fill out...

    JAPAN   7 Aug 14

  • Foreign workers must follow longer exit procedure

    JAPAN   27 May 14

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