Japan · Work

Japan Researcher visa

First stay: 5 yrs

Researcher (研究)

Checked against official sources on 12 Oct 2026Change log

Key facts

Researcher visa is a work route for Japan. 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.

Immigration Services Agency of Japan

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.

Immigration Services Agency of Japan

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.

Civil Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Justice of Japan

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.

Immigration Services Agency of Japan, Ministry of Justice

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.

Immigration Services Agency of Japan

Why this route may not fit

Check this before you apply.

Needs a job offer from an employer in Japan

What you'll need

Who can apply6

The applicant has a contract with a Japanese public or private organisation to carry out research.
The applicant holds a university degree (not junior college) or equivalent, plus a master's degree or 3 or more years of research experience in the field.
Alternatively the applicant has 10 or more years of research experience.
Transferees from a foreign office of the same organisation need 1 or more continuous years in research there.
The degree and experience conditions do not apply to research under a contract with the national or a local government, an incorporated administrative agency, a corporation set up directly by law, or a publicly funded corporation designated by the Minister of Justice.
Pay is equal to or higher than that paid to a Japanese national doing the same work.

What you must show and pay7

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.
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.
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.
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.

Documents1

From applications on or after 2026-04-15, organisations in categories 3 and 4 add a declaration about the organisation's representative.

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 11 Oct 2026

Official site

Full official text

Status for research under a contract with a Japanese public or private organisation, such as government institutes and companies (not university professors). ^{1 2 3 4}

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. ⁵
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. ⁵
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. ⁵
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. ⁵
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. ⁵
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. ⁵
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. ⁵

Requirements

The applicant has a contract with a Japanese public or private organisation to carry out research. ¹
The applicant holds a university degree (not junior college) or equivalent, plus a master's degree or 3 or more years of research experience in the field. ²
Alternatively the applicant has 10 or more years of research experience. ²
Transferees from a foreign office of the same organisation need 1 or more continuous years in research there. ²
The degree and experience conditions do not apply to research under a contract with the national or a local government, an incorporated administrative agency, a corporation set up directly by law, or a publicly funded corporation designated by the Minister of Justice. ²
Pay is equal to or higher than that paid to a Japanese national doing the same work. ²
From applications on or after 2026-04-15, organisations in categories 3 and 4 add a declaration about the organisation's representative. 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 for the contracting organisation.

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.

Checked 2026-10-12

Official sources

Status of residence: Researcher · Immigration Services Agency of Japan · checked 2026-10-10
Landing criteria for Researcher (MOJ ordinance extract) · Immigration Services Agency of Japan · checked 2026-10-12
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

Researcher visa and its alternatives

Route	Money needed	Stay	Work
Researcher visa	–	5 yr, renewable	–
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 Researcher 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 Researcher visa?

Period of stay is 5 years, 3 years, 1 year or 3 months.

How long does the Researcher 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 Researcher visa?

Research for the contracting organisation.

Can I bring my family on the Researcher visa?

Eligible spouse and children may apply separately for Dependent status.

Does the Researcher visa lead to permanent residence in Japan?

Time on the Researcher visa counts toward permanent residence in Japan, which the rules allow after 10 years of residence. Time on the Researcher visa counts toward citizenship, which the rules allow after 10 years of residence.

Is there a tax break for Researcher 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

Foreign-source income: Remittance basis

Details

Who: Resident: domicile or continuous residence in Japan for one year or more

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 10 Oct 2026Change log

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≈ 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 11 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: Researcher · Immigration Services Agency of Japan · checked 2026-10-10
Landing criteria for Researcher (MOJ ordinance extract) · Immigration Services Agency of Japan · checked 2026-10-12
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.