--- title: "Japan Skilled Labor visa requirements 2026: 5-year stay" url: https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/skilled-labor/ lang: en updated: 2026-10-12 --- Japan · Work # Japan Skilled Labor visa **First stay:** 5 yrs Skilled Labor (技能) Checked against official sources on 12 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/) - **First stay:** 5 yrs (Period of stay is 5 years, 3 years, 1 year or 3 months.) - **Who can apply:** Any passport - **Work:** Yes (Permitted skilled work for the contracting organisation.) - **Spouse work:** Needs a permit (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.) - **Tax angle:** Tax relief (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.) ## Key facts Skilled Labor visa is a work route for Japan. You can work locally. 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. **Renewal: Renewable** 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](https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/status/skilledlabor.html) **Permanent residence: After 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](https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/resources/nyukan_nyukan50.html) **Citizenship: After 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](https://www.moj.go.jp/MINJI/minji78.html) **Processing: 1–3 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](https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/procedures/16-1.html) **Where to apply: Abroad 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](https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/status/skilledlabor.html) ## 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 apply - The applicant has a contract with a Japanese public or private organisation for work needing a skill listed in the status criteria. - Cooking or food manufacture of a foreign cuisine, foreign-style building work, and foreign-style product making or repair each need 10 or more years of experience. - Thai cooks covered by the Japan-Thailand Economic Partnership Agreement (Annex 7) qualify without the 10 years. - Foreign-style building work needs only 5 years when done under a foreigner with 10 or more years of experience. - Jewellery, precious-metal or fur processing, animal training and offshore drilling work each need 10 or more years of experience. - Airline pilots need 250 or more flight hours. - Sports coaches need 3 or more years of experience, which includes time as a paid athlete, or must have competed at the Olympics, a world championship or another international competition. - Sommeliers need 5 or more years of experience and one of: a strong result at an international sommelier competition, taking part in one that admits a single entrant per country, or a qualification designated by the Minister of Justice. - Study of the subject abroad counts toward the experience years. #### What you must show - Pay is equal to or higher than that paid to a Japanese national doing the same work. #### Documents - Required documents differ between cooks and other skilled activities. ## 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](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/tax/) Tax records checked 11 Oct 2026 **Full official text** Work status for skilled industrial work under a contract with a Japanese organisation, such as cooking foreign cuisine, foreign-style construction, jewellery processing, animal training, piloting, sports coaching or sommelier work. (sources 1, 2, 3, 4, 5) #### 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. (source 3) - 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. (source 3) - 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. (source 3) - 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. (source 3) - 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. (source 3) - 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. (source 3) - 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. (source 3) #### Requirements - The applicant has a contract with a Japanese public or private organisation for work needing a skill listed in the status criteria. (sources 1, 2) - Cooking or food manufacture of a foreign cuisine, foreign-style building work, and foreign-style product making or repair each need 10 or more years of experience. (source 2) - Thai cooks covered by the Japan-Thailand Economic Partnership Agreement (Annex 7) qualify without the 10 years. (source 2) - Foreign-style building work needs only 5 years when done under a foreigner with 10 or more years of experience. (source 2) - Jewellery, precious-metal or fur processing, animal training and offshore drilling work each need 10 or more years of experience. (source 2) - Airline pilots need 250 or more flight hours. (source 2) - Sports coaches need 3 or more years of experience, which includes time as a paid athlete, or must have competed at the Olympics, a world championship or another international competition. (source 2) - Sommeliers need 5 or more years of experience and one of: a strong result at an international sommelier competition, taking part in one that admits a single entrant per country, or a qualification designated by the Minister of Justice. (source 2) - Study of the subject abroad counts toward the experience years. (source 2) - Pay is equal to or higher than that paid to a Japanese national doing the same work. (source 2) - Required documents differ between cooks and other skilled activities. (source 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 Permitted skilled work 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 1. [Status of residence: Skilled Labor (技能)](https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/status/skilledlabor.html) · Immigration Services Agency of Japan · checked 2026-10-11 2. [Landing criteria for Skilled Labor (MOJ ordinance extract)](https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/content/001367795.pdf) · Immigration Services Agency of Japan · checked 2026-10-12 3. [Fees for extension of stay, change of status and permanent residence applied for online from 1 October 2026](https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/11_00107.html) · Immigration Services Agency of Japan · checked 2026-10-11 4. [Status of residence "Dependent" (家族滞在)](https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/status/dependent.html) · Immigration Services Agency of Japan · checked 2026-10-12 5. [Permission to engage in activities other than those permitted for "Dependent" status holders](https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/procedures/nyuukokukanri07_00004.html) · Immigration Services Agency of Japan · checked 2026-10-12 6. [Guidelines for Permission for Permanent Residence (revised 24 February 2026)](https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/resources/nyukan_nyukan50.html) · Immigration Services Agency of Japan · checked 2026-10-11 · published 2026-02-24 7. [Guidelines for Permission for Permanent Residence (revised 1 October 2026)](https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/10_00279.html) · Immigration Services Agency of Japan · checked 2026-10-12 · published 2026-10-01 8. [Naturalization: conditions and procedure (Q&A)](https://www.moj.go.jp/MINJI/minji78.html) · Civil Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Justice of Japan · checked 2026-10-12 9. [Certificate of Eligibility application: standard processing period](https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/procedures/16-1.html) · Immigration Services Agency of Japan, Ministry of Justice · checked 2026-10-11 10. [Application for change of status of residence: standard processing period](https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/procedures/16-2.html) · Immigration Services Agency of Japan, Ministry of Justice · checked 2026-10-11 11. [Application for extension of period of stay: standard processing period](https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/procedures/16-3.html) · Immigration Services Agency of Japan, Ministry of Justice · checked 2026-10-11 ## Skilled Labor visa and its alternatives | Route | Money needed | Stay | Work | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Skilled Labor visa | – | 5 yr, renewable | Yes | | [Engineer/Specialist visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/engineer-specialist/) | – | 5 yr, renewable | Limited | | [Highly Skilled Professional](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/highly-skilled-professional/) | – | 5 yr, renewable | Limited | | [Instructor visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/instructor/) | – | 5 yr, renewable | Limited | | [Intra-company transfer](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/intra-company-transferee/) | – | 5 yr, renewable | – | ## Questions people ask ### How much money do I need for the Skilled Labor 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 Skilled Labor visa? Period of stay is 5 years, 3 years, 1 year or 3 months. ### How long does the Skilled Labor 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 Skilled Labor visa? Yes. Permitted skilled work for the contracting organisation. ### Can I bring my family on the Skilled Labor visa? Eligible spouse and children may apply separately for Dependent status. ### Does the Skilled Labor visa lead to permanent residence in Japan? Time on the Skilled Labor visa counts toward permanent residence in Japan, which the rules allow after 10 years of residence. Time on the Skilled Labor visa counts toward citizenship, which the rules allow after 10 years of residence. ### Is there a tax break for Skilled Labor 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](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/tax/#tax-jp-non-permanent-resident-remittance-basis) Tax relief Foreign-source income: Remittance basis **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 10 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/) [Full page →](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/tax/) ## More in Japan [J-Find](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/j-find/) [Working Holiday](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/working-holiday/) [Digital nomad visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/designated-activities-digital-nomad/) [Business Manager](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/business-manager/) [Startup visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/startup-designated-activities/) [Legal/Accounting visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/legal-accounting/) [Medical Services visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/medical-services/) [Nursing Care visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/nursing-care/) ## Work visas elsewhere [🇹🇭 LTR · Highly Skilled](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/thailand/ltr-highly-skilled-professional/) [🇮🇩 Special talent visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/indonesia/e33a-special-talent-sponsored/) [🇦🇪 Golden · Senior specialist](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-arab-emirates/golden-specialised-professional/) [🇸🇬 Employment Pass](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/singapore/employment-pass/) [🇲🇾 Residence Pass-Talent](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/malaysia/rp-t/) [🇰🇷 K-STAR to F-2](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/south-korea/kstar-f2-talent-track/) ≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated. ## 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. 1. [Status of residence: Skilled Labor (技能)](https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/status/skilledlabor.html) · Immigration Services Agency of Japan · checked 2026-10-11 2. [Landing criteria for Skilled Labor (MOJ ordinance extract)](https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/content/001367795.pdf) · Immigration Services Agency of Japan · checked 2026-10-12 3. [Fees for extension of stay, change of status and permanent residence applied for online from 1 October 2026](https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/11_00107.html) · Immigration Services Agency of Japan · checked 2026-10-11 4. [Status of residence "Dependent" (家族滞在)](https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/status/dependent.html) · Immigration Services Agency of Japan · checked 2026-10-12 5. [Permission to engage in activities other than those permitted for "Dependent" status holders](https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/procedures/nyuukokukanri07_00004.html) · Immigration Services Agency of Japan · checked 2026-10-12 6. [Guidelines for Permission for Permanent Residence (revised 24 February 2026)](https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/resources/nyukan_nyukan50.html) · Immigration Services Agency of Japan · checked 2026-10-11 7. [Guidelines for Permission for Permanent Residence (revised 1 October 2026)](https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/10_00279.html) · Immigration Services Agency of Japan · checked 2026-10-12 8. [Naturalization: conditions and procedure (Q&A)](https://www.moj.go.jp/MINJI/minji78.html) · Civil Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Justice of Japan · checked 2026-10-12 9. [Certificate of Eligibility application: standard processing period](https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/procedures/16-1.html) · Immigration Services Agency of Japan, Ministry of Justice · checked 2026-10-11 10. [Application for change of status of residence: standard processing period](https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/procedures/16-2.html) · Immigration Services Agency of Japan, Ministry of Justice · checked 2026-10-11 11. [Application for extension of period of stay: standard processing period](https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/procedures/16-3.html) · Immigration Services Agency of Japan, Ministry of Justice · checked 2026-10-11 Tracked since 2026-10-11. Rule changes and corrections are listed on the [changes page](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/), and the [methodology page](https://settleanywhere.com/methodology/) explains how facts are checked. Found something out of date? Email [contact@stayglobe.app](mailto:contact@stayglobe.app?subject=Correction) with a link to the official source.