Japan · Work
Japan Professor visa
First stay: 5 yrs
Professor (教授)
Checked against official sources on Change log
Key facts
Professor visa is a work route for Japan. Local work: limited. Checked 2026-10-12 against the official source.
- Government fees
- ¥10k ≈ $63 · +6 more
- Processing
- 1–3 months
- First stay
- 5 yrs
Cost, time and long term
To apply: 7 government fees listed below; decision: 1–3 months. No lawyer or agent fee is included.
Government fees¥10k ≈ $63 · +6 more
- JPY 10,000 (≈ $63)Extension of stay or change of status, online application filed from 1 October 2026: fee when the period granted is 3 months or less; a payment-processing charge of JPY 330 (≈ $2) (JPY 550 (≈ $3) from 3 years) is added.
- JPY 15,000 (≈ $95)Extension of stay or change of status, online application filed from 1 October 2026: fee when the period granted is over 3 months up to 6 months; a payment-processing charge of JPY 330 (≈ $2) (JPY 550 (≈ $3) from 3 years) is added.
- JPY 21,000 (≈ $130)Extension of stay or change of status, online application filed from 1 October 2026: fee when the period granted is over 6 months and under 1 year; a payment-processing charge of JPY 330 (≈ $2) (JPY 550 (≈ $3) from 3 years) is added.
- JPY 27,000 (≈ $170)Extension of stay or change of status, online application filed from 1 October 2026: fee when the period granted is 1 year; a payment-processing charge of JPY 330 (≈ $2) (JPY 550 (≈ $3) from 3 years) is added.
- JPY 42,000 (≈ $260)Extension of stay or change of status, online application filed from 1 October 2026: fee when the period granted is over 1 year and under 3 years; a payment-processing charge of JPY 330 (≈ $2) (JPY 550 (≈ $3) from 3 years) is added.
- JPY 56,000 (≈ $350)Extension of stay or change of status, online application filed from 1 October 2026: fee when the period granted is 3 years or more and under 5 years; a payment-processing charge of JPY 330 (≈ $2) (JPY 550 (≈ $3) from 3 years) is added.
- JPY 65,000 (≈ $410)Extension of stay or change of status, online application filed from 1 October 2026: fee when the period granted is 5 years or more; a payment-processing charge of JPY 330 (≈ $2) (JPY 550 (≈ $3) from 3 years) is added.
RenewalRenewable
Renewable in Japan before the period of stay ends; the period granted is 5 years, 3 years, 1 year or 3 months.
Permanent residenceAfter 10 years of residence
Permanent residence normally needs 10 years in Japan, including at least 5 years on a work or residence status, plus tax, pension and conduct conditions. Decisions take 4 to 6 months on the ministry's standard. Under the guideline revised on 1 October 2026 the ministry also looks at whether you hold the longest period of stay allowed for your status (a 3-year period counts as the longest for applications filed up to 31 March 2027), and an absence from Japan of 6 months or more in one trip, or 2 years 6 months in total, in the last 10 years without good reason counts against the application.
CitizenshipAfter 10 years of residence
The Nationality Act (Article 5) sets a minimum of 5 consecutive years of lawful residence in Japan, plus conduct, livelihood and other conditions. The Ministry of Justice's naturalisation Q&A adds that integration into Japanese society is required, such as 10 years or more of residence and Japanese good enough for daily life (speaking, reading and writing). Meeting the conditions does not guarantee permission.
Processing1–3 months
Standard processing: 1 to 3 months for a Certificate of Eligibility, 1 to 2 months for a change of status inside Japan and 2 weeks to 1 month for an extension.
Where to applyAbroad or in-country
Apply for a Certificate of Eligibility through the sponsoring organisation in Japan and then the visa abroad, or change status inside Japan.
Why this route may not fit
Check this before you apply.
- Needs a job offer from an employer in Japan
- Work rights are limited
What you'll need
Who can apply1
- The post involves research, research guidance or education at a Japanese university, equivalent institution or college of technology.
What you must show1
- Fees for online extension of stay or change of status from 1 October 2026 run from JPY 10,000 (≈ $63) (3 months or less) to JPY 65,000 (≈ $410) (5 years or more).
Documents3
- Full-time university staff generally submit no materials beyond the application form, photo and return envelope.
- Part-time staff submit a document from the institution proving their activities, period, position and remuneration.
- Documents written in a foreign language need a Japanese translation.
Steps2
- Applicants abroad apply for a Certificate of Eligibility with the application form, one photo and a stamped return envelope.
- Applicants already in Japan under another status apply for a change of status as soon as they start the activity.
After you arrive1
- A notification to Immigration is required when the affiliated institution changes.
When you become tax resident
How Japan decides tax residence and treats foreign-source income, from its tax records.
- Stay on this route
Up to 5 years at first, renewable
- Tax residence
Resident individuals are domiciled in Japan or have continuous residence of 1 year or more.
- Foreign-source income
Remittance basis
Non-permanent residents are taxed in Japan on Japan-source income and on foreign-source income paid in or remitted to Japan; foreign-source income paid and kept abroad is outside the Japanese tax base.
- Special regime
Non-permanent resident foreign-source income treatment · Tax relief
All tax rules for Japan Tax records checked
Full official text
Status for research, research guidance or teaching at a Japanese university or equivalent institution, or a college of technology. 1 2 3
What you must show and pay
- A fee of JPY 10,000 (≈ $63) · Extension of stay or change of status, online application filed from 1 October 2026: fee when the period granted is 3 months or less; a payment-processing charge of JPY 330 (≈ $2) (JPY 550 (≈ $3) from 3 years) is added. 4
- A fee of JPY 15,000 (≈ $95) · Extension of stay or change of status, online application filed from 1 October 2026: fee when the period granted is over 3 months up to 6 months; a payment-processing charge of JPY 330 (≈ $2) (JPY 550 (≈ $3) from 3 years) is added. 4
- A fee of JPY 21,000 (≈ $130) · Extension of stay or change of status, online application filed from 1 October 2026: fee when the period granted is over 6 months and under 1 year; a payment-processing charge of JPY 330 (≈ $2) (JPY 550 (≈ $3) from 3 years) is added. 4
- A fee of JPY 27,000 (≈ $170) · Extension of stay or change of status, online application filed from 1 October 2026: fee when the period granted is 1 year; a payment-processing charge of JPY 330 (≈ $2) (JPY 550 (≈ $3) from 3 years) is added. 4
- A fee of JPY 42,000 (≈ $260) · Extension of stay or change of status, online application filed from 1 October 2026: fee when the period granted is over 1 year and under 3 years; a payment-processing charge of JPY 330 (≈ $2) (JPY 550 (≈ $3) from 3 years) is added. 4
- A fee of JPY 56,000 (≈ $350) · Extension of stay or change of status, online application filed from 1 October 2026: fee when the period granted is 3 years or more and under 5 years; a payment-processing charge of JPY 330 (≈ $2) (JPY 550 (≈ $3) from 3 years) is added. 4
- A fee of JPY 65,000 (≈ $410) · Extension of stay or change of status, online application filed from 1 October 2026: fee when the period granted is 5 years or more; a payment-processing charge of JPY 330 (≈ $2) (JPY 550 (≈ $3) from 3 years) is added. 4
Requirements
- The post involves research, research guidance or education at a Japanese university, equivalent institution or college of technology. 1
- Fees for online extension of stay or change of status from 1 October 2026 run from JPY 10,000 (≈ $63) (3 months or less) to JPY 65,000 (≈ $410) (5 years or more). 4
- Full-time university staff generally submit no materials beyond the application form, photo and return envelope. 1
- Part-time staff submit a document from the institution proving their activities, period, position and remuneration. 1
- Documents written in a foreign language need a Japanese translation. 1
- Applicants abroad apply for a Certificate of Eligibility with the application form, one photo and a stamped return envelope. 1
- Applicants already in Japan under another status apply for a change of status as soon as they start the activity. 1
- A notification to Immigration is required when the affiliated institution changes. 1
Stay
- Period of stay is 5 years, 3 years, 1 year or 3 months.
- First stay: 3 to 60 months, decided case by case.
- Renewable, subject to the conditions in force at renewal.
Work
Research, research guidance and teaching at the approved institution.
Family
Eligible spouse and children may apply separately for Dependent status. Your spouse or partner needs their own work permit to work in Japan: permission for activities outside their status, limited to 28 hours a week.
Official sources
- Status of residence: Professor · Immigration Services Agency of Japan · checked 2026-10-10
- Status of residence "Dependent" (家族滞在) · Immigration Services Agency of Japan · checked 2026-10-12
- Permission to engage in activities other than those permitted for "Dependent" status holders · Immigration Services Agency of Japan · checked 2026-10-12
- Fees for extension of stay, change of status and permanent residence applied for online from 1 October 2026 · Immigration Services Agency of Japan · checked 2026-10-11
- Guidelines for Permission for Permanent Residence (revised 24 February 2026) · Immigration Services Agency of Japan · checked 2026-10-11 · published 2026-02-24
- Guidelines for Permission for Permanent Residence (revised 1 October 2026) · Immigration Services Agency of Japan · checked 2026-10-12 · published 2026-10-01
- Naturalization: conditions and procedure (Q&A) · Civil Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Justice of Japan · checked 2026-10-12
- Certificate of Eligibility application: standard processing period · Immigration Services Agency of Japan, Ministry of Justice · checked 2026-10-11
- Application for change of status of residence: standard processing period · Immigration Services Agency of Japan, Ministry of Justice · checked 2026-10-11
- Application for extension of period of stay: standard processing period · Immigration Services Agency of Japan, Ministry of Justice · checked 2026-10-11
Professor visa and its alternatives
| Route | Money needed | Stay | Work |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professor visa | – | 5 yr, renewable | Limited |
| Engineer/Specialist visa | – | 5 yr, renewable | Limited |
| Highly Skilled Professional | – | 5 yr, renewable | Limited |
| Instructor visa | – | 5 yr, renewable | Limited |
| Intra-company transfer | – | 5 yr, renewable | – |
Questions people ask
How much money do I need for the Professor visa?
A fee of JPY 10,000 (≈ $63). Extension of stay or change of status, online application filed from 1 October 2026: fee when the period granted is 3 months or less; a payment-processing charge of JPY 330 (≈ $2) (JPY 550 (≈ $3) from 3 years) is added. A fee of JPY 15,000 (≈ $95). Extension of stay or change of status, online application filed from 1 October 2026: fee when the period granted is over 3 months up to 6 months; a payment-processing charge of JPY 330 (≈ $2) (JPY 550 (≈ $3) from 3 years) is added. A fee of JPY 21,000 (≈ $130). Extension of stay or change of status, online application filed from 1 October 2026: fee when the period granted is over 6 months and under 1 year; a payment-processing charge of JPY 330 (≈ $2) (JPY 550 (≈ $3) from 3 years) is added. A fee of JPY 27,000 (≈ $170). Extension of stay or change of status, online application filed from 1 October 2026: fee when the period granted is 1 year; a payment-processing charge of JPY 330 (≈ $2) (JPY 550 (≈ $3) from 3 years) is added.
How long can I stay on the Professor visa?
Period of stay is 5 years, 3 years, 1 year or 3 months.
How long does the Professor visa take to process?
Standard processing: 1 to 3 months for a Certificate of Eligibility, 1 to 2 months for a change of status inside Japan and 2 weeks to 1 month for an extension.
Can I work on the Professor visa?
Limited. Research, research guidance and teaching at the approved institution.
Can I bring my family on the Professor visa?
Eligible spouse and children may apply separately for Dependent status.
Does the Professor visa lead to permanent residence in Japan?
Time on the Professor visa counts toward permanent residence in Japan, which the rules allow after 10 years of residence. Time on the Professor visa counts toward citizenship, which the rules allow after 10 years of residence.
Is there a tax break for Professor visa holders in Japan?
Non-permanent resident foreign-source income treatment: Non-permanent residents are taxed in Japan on Japan-source income and on foreign-source income paid in or remitted to Japan; foreign-source income paid and kept abroad is outside the Japanese tax base. It's separate from the visa and has its own conditions.
Tax
Special regime
Non-permanent resident foreign-source income treatment
Tax relief
Details
- Who: Resident: domicile or continuous residence in Japan for one year or more
Non-permanent residents are taxed in Japan on Japan-source income and on foreign-source income paid in or remitted to Japan; foreign-source income paid and kept abroad is outside the Japanese tax base.
Taxed on
Income tax on all Japan-source income plus foreign-source income that is paid in Japan or remitted to Japan from abroad, at the progressive national rates of 5% to 45%.
Who it applies to
- Resident: domicile or continuous residence in Japan for one year or more.
- Non-Japanese nationality.
- Domicile or residence in Japan for an aggregate of five years or less within the preceding ten years.
Exclusions
- Japan-source income, including pay for work performed in Japan, is taxed in full.
- Residents who are not non-permanent residents are taxed on worldwide income.
Tax residence
Resident = domicile, or continuous residence of one year or more. Non-permanent resident = non-Japanese national resident for an aggregate of five years or less in the preceding ten years. Based on facts, not visa type.
Visas
No visa grants this treatment; it follows tax residence and nationality.
Other taxes
Consumption tax: standard rate 10% (7.8% national plus 2.2% local) and reduced rate 8% (6.24% national plus 1.76% local). Local inhabitant tax and social insurance are separate.
Checked against official sources on Change log
More in Japan
Work visas elsewhere
≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated.
Ask the AI about this route AI
An AI assistant answers from the published records on this page and cites them. It can't assess your personal eligibility. Don't include personal details.
How this was checked
Checked on 2026-10-12 against 10 official sources. Status: verified against the official sources.
Every figure on this page comes from the official source it links to. The record was researched against these sources, then reviewed separately, with special attention to effective dates and amendments. Where a source does not state something, the page leaves it out.
- Status of residence: Professor · Immigration Services Agency of Japan · checked 2026-10-10
- Status of residence "Dependent" (家族滞在) · Immigration Services Agency of Japan · checked 2026-10-12
- Permission to engage in activities other than those permitted for "Dependent" status holders · Immigration Services Agency of Japan · checked 2026-10-12
- Fees for extension of stay, change of status and permanent residence applied for online from 1 October 2026 · Immigration Services Agency of Japan · checked 2026-10-11
- Guidelines for Permission for Permanent Residence (revised 24 February 2026) · Immigration Services Agency of Japan · checked 2026-10-11
- Guidelines for Permission for Permanent Residence (revised 1 October 2026) · Immigration Services Agency of Japan · checked 2026-10-12
- Naturalization: conditions and procedure (Q&A) · Civil Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Justice of Japan · checked 2026-10-12
- Certificate of Eligibility application: standard processing period · Immigration Services Agency of Japan, Ministry of Justice · checked 2026-10-11
- Application for change of status of residence: standard processing period · Immigration Services Agency of Japan, Ministry of Justice · checked 2026-10-11
- Application for extension of period of stay: standard processing period · Immigration Services Agency of Japan, Ministry of Justice · checked 2026-10-11
Tracked since 2026-10-10. Rule changes and corrections are listed on the changes page, and the methodology page explains how facts are checked. Found something out of date? Email contact@stayglobe.app with a link to the official source.