Japan Status of Residence Guide: Full Comparison of Work Visas, Highly Skilled Professionals, and Specified Skilled Worker (2025 Update)
A complete comparison of Japan's main statuses of residence, including Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services, Business Manager, Highly Skilled Professional, and Specified Skilled Worker.
If you are planning to work or start a business in Japan, the first question you need to answer is: what status of residence do I need?
Japan’s status of residence system can look complicated at first, but the basic logic is actually straightforward. The key is to understand the overall framework first, then identify which category fits your situation. That is exactly what this article is designed to help you do. I will break down the main types of status one by one, then close with a comparison table so you can see the differences at a glance.
Overview of Japan’s Status of Residence System
Status of Residence Is Not the Same as a Visa
Many people use “visa” and “status of residence” as if they meant the same thing, but they are actually different:
- Visa (ビザ / 査証): Issued by a Japanese embassy or consulate overseas. It is your entry authorization for Japan. You apply for it outside Japan, and it is the document affixed to your passport.
- Status of residence (在留資格 / ざいりゅうしかく): Managed by Japan’s Immigration Services Agency. It is your legal authorization to stay in Japan, and it determines what activities you can engage in and how long you can remain.
An easy way to think about it: the visa is your ticket to enter, while the status of residence is your legal ID once you are inside Japan.
In everyday conversation, people often say “work visa” or “startup visa,” but strictly speaking the correct terms are “work-related status of residence” or “Business Manager status.” For readability, this article will also use “visa” at times to refer to a status of residence, but it is important to understand the distinction.
The Three Main Categories of Status of Residence
Japan’s statuses of residence can be broadly divided into three categories:
- Work-related statuses (就労資格): Granted based on the type of work you do, such as engineer, business manager, or chef. Each status limits the scope of work you are allowed to perform.
- Status-based categories (身分・地位に基づく資格): Granted based on your personal relationship to Japan, such as Permanent Resident or Spouse of Japanese National. These statuses do not impose work restrictions.
- Activity-based categories (活動資格): Granted for specific activities, such as Student, Cultural Activities, or Technical Intern Training. These generally do not allow unrestricted employment, though some holders may obtain separate permission for part-time work.
If you want to work or start a business in Japan, the categories you should focus on are work-related statuses and status-based categories. Let’s go through them one by one.
Work-Related Statuses of Residence
Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services (技術・人文知識・国際業務)
Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services (技術・人文知識・国際業務, often abbreviated as “技人国” or “gijinkoku”) is by far the most common work visa among Chinese nationals living in Japan.
Typical applicants:
- IT engineers and software developers
- Translators and interpreters
- Marketing, planning, and business development professionals
- International trade and overseas sales staff
- Designers (graphic design, UI design, etc.)
- Accountants and finance professionals in specialist roles
Basic requirements:
- Educational background: A bachelor’s degree or higher, or graduation from a Japanese vocational school. Your academic background must be relevant to the job you will perform.
- Or work experience: If you do not have the required degree, 10 years or more of relevant work experience may qualify instead. For some international services roles such as translation, the threshold may be reduced to 3 years.
- A sponsoring employer is required: You must have an employment contract with a Japanese company. Self-employment is not allowed under this status.
- Salary level: Your compensation must be at least equivalent to what a Japanese national would receive for comparable work.
Period of stay: 5 years, 3 years, 1 year, or 3 months (first-time applicants are often granted 1 year)
Important points:
- This status limits the type of work you can do. For example, if you obtained it as an IT engineer, you generally cannot switch to unrelated manual labor.
- Changing jobs is allowed, but the new role must still match the scope of your status. After changing employers, it is advisable to apply for a Certificate of Authorized Employment (就労資格証明書) to confirm that the new job is compliant.
- This is an employee-based status. If you want to start your own business and act as the owner or manager, you generally need to change to a Business Manager visa.
Business Manager (経営・管理)
The Business Manager visa (経営・管理, keiei kanri) is the status of residence for foreign nationals who operate or manage a business in Japan. This is what many people casually call the “startup visa” or “business owner visa.”
This is one of the most important visa categories for foreign entrepreneurs. You need to establish a company in Japan, secure actual office space, present a concrete business plan, and satisfy capital and related requirements.
The Business Manager visa is a broad topic, and we have a full dedicated guide covering the application process, required documents, and key practical points in detail:
👉 Complete Business Manager Visa Guide
For a breakdown of the specific eligibility requirements, including capital, office, and business plan requirements, see:
👉 Business Manager Visa Requirements Explained
Quick overview:
- Capital: At least JPY 5 million (with a new benchmark scheduled to rise to JPY 30 million from October 2025), or employment of at least 2 full-time staff
- Office: A dedicated business office is required (not simply a home address, except in limited cases)
- Business plan: You need to submit a detailed and credible business plan
- Period of stay: 5 years, 3 years, 1 year, 4 months, or 3 months
Want to know how to write the business plan? See 👉 Business Plan Writing Guide
For company formation, see 👉 Japan Company Setup Guide
Highly Skilled Professional (高度専門職)
Highly Skilled Professional (高度専門職, kōdo senmonshoku) is a preferential status of residence created by Japan to attract high-level talent. It uses a points-based system to evaluate applicants.
How are the points calculated?
The Immigration Services Agency uses a scoring table based on factors such as education, work experience, annual income, age, and Japanese language ability:
| Scoring Item | Example |
|---|---|
| Education | Doctorate: 30 points, Master’s: 20 points, Bachelor’s: 10 points |
| Work experience | 10+ years: 20 points, 7+ years: 15 points, etc. |
| Annual income | JPY 10 million+: 40 points, JPY 9 million+: 35 points, etc. |
| Age | Under 29: 15 points, age 30-34: 10 points, etc. |
| Japanese ability | N1: +15 points, N2: +10 points |
| Other bonus points | Prestigious university, research achievements, investment, etc. |
70 points or more -> recognized as “highly skilled” 80 points or more -> eligible for even more favorable treatment
There are three subcategories of Highly Skilled Professional:
- Highly Skilled Academic Research Activities (i): University professors, researchers, and similar roles
- Highly Skilled Specialized / Technical Activities (ii): High-level professionals such as IT engineers and financial analysts
- Highly Skilled Business Management Activities (iii): Business owners and senior managers
Main benefits:
| Benefit | 70+ Points | 80+ Points |
|---|---|---|
| Permanent residence application | Eligible after 3 years of residence | Eligible after 1 year of residence |
| Combined activities | Can engage in activities that would otherwise fall under multiple statuses | Same |
| Period of stay | Uniformly 5 years | Same |
| Spouse work rights | Spouse may work freely without separate permission for outside activities | Same |
| Bringing parents | Possible if conditions are met | Same |
| Domestic workers | Possible if conditions are met | Same |
If you score 80 points or more, you may apply for permanent residence after just 1 year of residence. That is the biggest attraction of the Highly Skilled Professional route. Under the normal route, permanent residence generally requires 10 years in Japan, so this is a major shortcut.
For a detailed explanation of the permanent residence path, see 👉 From Business Manager Visa to Permanent Residence: Full Pathway Guide
Note: After holding Highly Skilled Professional (i) for 3 years, you may upgrade to Highly Skilled Professional (ii). This status has an indefinite period of stay, making it close to permanent residence in practice, and it is less vulnerable to lapsing because of long absences from Japan.
Specified Skilled Worker Type 1 / Type 2 (特定技能1号 / 2号)
Specified Skilled Worker (特定技能, tokutei ginō) is a status of residence introduced in April 2019 in response to labor shortages in Japan, particularly in frontline industries.
Specified industrial fields currently covered (as of 2025):
Nursing care, building cleaning management, materials industry, industrial machinery manufacturing, electric and electronic information industries, construction, shipbuilding and marine industry, automobile maintenance, aviation, accommodation, agriculture, fisheries, food and beverage manufacturing, and food service. That makes 14 sectors in total, with the government continuing to discuss possible expansion.
Specified Skilled Worker Type 1 vs Type 2:
| Item | Specified Skilled Worker Type 1 | Specified Skilled Worker Type 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Period of stay | Up to 5 years total (1 year / 6 months / 4 months, renewable) | No upper limit (renewable) |
| Skill level | Must pass skills test + Japanese test | Must pass a more advanced skills test |
| Family accompaniment | Not allowed | Allowed (spouse and children) |
| Permanent residence possibility | No direct route during the 5-year limit | Can lead to permanent residence |
| Job change | May change employers within the same field | May change employers within the same field |
Why this matters for Chinese entrepreneurs:
Specified Skilled Worker is not a startup-oriented visa. It is for foreign nationals employed as skilled workers. But if you run a business in Japan and need to hire foreign staff, for example kitchen workers for a restaurant, understanding this system is very important. Also, Type 2 can lead to permanent residence, so for some people moving on from Technical Intern Training, it is a realistic long-term route.
Skilled Labor (技能) such as Foreign Cuisine Chefs
The Skilled Labor visa (技能, ginō) is a status of residence for foreign nationals with specialized practical skills. The classic example is a chef of foreign cuisine.
Common examples:
- Chinese cuisine chefs with 10+ years of culinary experience in China
- Chefs specializing in other foreign cuisines
- Craftspeople in fields such as gem processing or fur processing
- Pilots, sports instructors, and similar specialist roles
Requirements for Chinese cuisine chefs:
- At least 10 years of practical cooking experience (including time spent at a culinary school)
- An employment contract with a restaurant or food-service business in Japan
- Salary at a level equivalent to that of a Japanese worker
Period of stay: 5 years, 3 years, 1 year, or 3 months
Important: Skilled Labor and Specified Skilled Worker are completely different statuses of residence. Do not confuse them. The Skilled Labor visa requires high-level practical expertise and substantial experience, so the threshold is not low.
Intra-company Transferee (企業内転勤)
Intra-company Transferee (企業内転勤, kigyōnai tenkin) is a status of residence designed for transfers within multinational corporate groups.
Typical scenario:
- You work for the overseas headquarters or an affiliated overseas company
- Your company wants to transfer you to its branch, subsidiary, or affiliate in Japan
- Your work in Japan falls within the scope of Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services
Requirements:
- At least 1 continuous year of work at the overseas affiliated entity before the transfer
- The work in Japan must fall within the scope covered by the Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services category
- There must be a clear capital relationship or business affiliation between the Japanese company and the overseas company
Period of stay: 5 years, 3 years, 1 year, or 3 months
One advantage of this status is that a university degree is not required. As long as you have at least 1 year of relevant work experience at the overseas affiliate, it can be a viable route. For people who do not meet the educational requirements for the standard work visa but are already employed by a multinational company, this can be a practical option.
Status-Based Categories
The biggest feature of status-based categories is simple: there are no work restrictions. If you hold one of these statuses, you are generally free to engage in any lawful work, including running a business, part-time work, or freelancing.
Permanent Resident (永住者)
Permanent Resident (永住者, eijūsha) is the highest and most stable immigration status available to foreign nationals in Japan, broadly similar to a green card.
Main features:
- No limit on period of stay (though the residence card must still be renewed every 7 years)
- No activity restrictions; you may work or start a business freely
- No need to keep renewing your visa
- Your status does not disappear simply because you change jobs or become unemployed
General requirements:
- 10 consecutive years of residence in Japan, including at least 5 years under a work-related or status-based category
- Good conduct and stable financial means
- Proper tax payments and social insurance compliance
Of course, the Highly Skilled Professional route can significantly shorten this timeline (80+ points -> 1 year, 70+ points -> 3 years).
For a detailed explanation of the permanent residence route and requirements, see 👉 From Business Manager Visa to Permanent Residence: Full Pathway Guide
Spouse or Child of Japanese National (日本人の配偶者等)
Spouse or Child of Japanese National (日本人の配偶者等, nihonjin no haigūsha tō) applies to foreign spouses of Japanese nationals and children of Japanese nationals, including specially adopted children.
- No work restrictions; you may work freely or run a business
- Period of stay: 5 years, 3 years, 1 year, or 6 months
- If you divorce, you generally need to change to another status of residence within 6 months
Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident (永住者の配偶者等)
Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident (永住者の配偶者等, eijūsha no haigūsha tō) applies to foreign spouses of permanent residents and children born in Japan to permanent residents.
- Likewise, there are no work restrictions
- Period of stay: 5 years, 3 years, 1 year, or 6 months
Long-Term Resident (定住者)
Long-Term Resident (定住者, teijūsha) is a status granted by the Minister of Justice to foreign nationals recognized as having special grounds for residence.
Common examples include:
- People of Japanese descent (such as Nikkei Brazilians or Nikkei Peruvians) and their spouses
- Recognized refugees
- Dependent children of Japanese nationals or permanent residents
Long-Term Resident status also does not impose work restrictions, but it is a relatively specialized category and not one that most Chinese nationals use in practice.
Comparison Table of Major Statuses of Residence
The table below gives you a quick side-by-side view of the main statuses of residence:
| Status of Residence | Main Requirements | Maximum Period of Stay | Work Restrictions | Path to Permanent Residence | Family Accompaniment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services | University degree or 10 years’ experience + employment contract | 5 years | Limited to authorized work scope | 10 years (or faster via Highly Skilled Professional) | Yes (Dependent) |
| Business Manager | JPY 5 million capital + office + business plan | 5 years | Limited to business management activities | 10 years (or faster via Highly Skilled Professional) | Yes (Dependent) |
| Highly Skilled Professional (i) | 70+ points | 5 years | Limited to authorized activities, but combination of activities allowed | 70 points -> 3 years, 80 points -> 1 year | Yes (spouse may work; parents may accompany if conditions are met) |
| Highly Skilled Professional (ii) | Hold Type (i) for 3 years + maintain qualification level | Indefinite | Almost unrestricted | Can apply directly | Yes (same as Type (i)) |
| Specified Skilled Worker Type 1 | Pass skills test + Japanese test | 5 years total | Limited to designated industry fields | No | No |
| Specified Skilled Worker Type 2 | Pass more advanced skills test | No upper limit (renewable) | Limited to designated industry fields | Yes | Yes |
| Skilled Labor | 10+ years of practical experience | 5 years | Limited to designated skilled activities | 10 years | Yes (Dependent) |
| Intra-company Transferee | 1+ year at overseas affiliated company | 5 years | Limited to work within the Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services scope | 10 years | Yes (Dependent) |
| Permanent Resident | 10 years’ residence + good conduct + income | Indefinite | Unrestricted | — | — |
| Spouse or Child of Japanese National | Marriage to a Japanese national or qualifying child relationship | 5 years | Unrestricted | As short as 3 years | — |
| Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident | Marriage to a permanent resident or qualifying child relationship | 5 years | Unrestricted | As short as 3 years | — |
| Long-Term Resident | Designation by the Minister of Justice | 5 years | Unrestricted | From 5 years onward | Depends on circumstances |
For a detailed explanation of the Dependent visa, see 👉 Dependent Visa Guide
How should you read this table?
- If you want the greatest freedom: status-based categories > Highly Skilled Professional (ii) > most other work-related statuses
- If you want the fastest route to permanent residence: Highly Skilled Professional (80+ points can lead to PR in 1 year)
- If you want to start your own business: Business Manager is the standard route
- If you will be employed by a company: Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services is the default choice
- If you are a blue-collar skilled worker: Specified Skilled Worker is the main pathway
Changing from Another Visa to Business Manager
Many Chinese nationals do not first come to Japan on a Business Manager visa. Instead, they live in Japan for a period under another status and later decide to start a business. In that case, they need a change of status of residence (在留資格変更, zairyū shikaku henkō).
For the full change-of-status process, see 👉 Visa Change Guide
Here are the most common routes:
Student -> Business Manager
This is a common path for international students who want to start a business after graduation.
Key points:
- You need to start preparing before graduation: set up the company, secure office space, and draft the business plan
- The change-of-status application must be filed before your current status expires
- Immigration will closely review the feasibility of the business plan and the source of funds
- Income from part-time work during your student period is unlikely to be accepted as the full source of JPY 5 million in capital, and Immigration will often ask detailed questions about where the money came from
- It is wise to build industry experience and useful contacts while still a student
Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services -> Business Manager
Working for a company for several years and then starting your own business is one of the more stable routes.
Key points:
- Your work experience makes the business plan more credible
- Your accumulated income makes the source of funds easier to explain
- Be careful: if you resign before your status change is approved, you may end up in a “no current employment” situation, which can affect your status. In practice, it is safer to complete the change first, or at least finish all major preparation while you are still employed
- While on this work status, you cannot actually engage in management activities such as operating your own company as the representative director. You need to change your status first
Spouse Visa -> Business Manager
If you hold a spouse visa based on marriage to a Japanese national, you do not necessarily need to change to Business Manager in order to start a business because spouse-based statuses do not restrict employment.
Some people still choose to change status because:
- If they divorce, the spouse-based status will no longer remain valid, whereas Business Manager is independent of marital status
- They want immigration status that is independent from the marriage
Practical recommendation: If the marriage is stable, there is usually no need to change. Running a company while staying on a spouse-based status is perfectly lawful.
General Points to Watch When Changing Status
- Prepare early: A status change is not something that can be completed in one or two weeks. From company formation to document preparation to immigration review, the process usually takes 2 to 4 months.
- Avoid a gap period: Try to avoid ending up in a situation where your current status is close to expiry while the new one is still pending.
- Be ready to explain the source of funds: Where did the JPY 5 million come from? Immigration will definitely ask. Savings, parental gifts, and overseas remittances can all work, but they need to be backed by proper evidence.
- Make the business plan realistic: It is not enough to write “I plan to open a shop.” You need proper market analysis, revenue and expense projections, staffing plans, and more. See 👉 Business Plan Writing Guide
- If the application is refused: A refusal of the change-of-status application does not automatically cancel your current visa, but you need to move quickly to an alternative plan. For common reasons for refusal, see 👉 Business Manager Visa Refusal Reasons
⚠️ Changes and applications involving status of residence require complex legal judgment, and every case is different. It is advisable to consult a licensed gyoseishoshi (行政書士, certified administrative scrivener) or an immigration lawyer for advice tailored to your own circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: I do not have a university degree. Can I still get a Japanese work visa?
Yes, but your options are narrower. Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services usually requires a university degree or 10 years of relevant work experience. Intra-company Transferee does not require a degree, but it does require 1 year of work experience at an overseas affiliated company. Specified Skilled Worker is exam-based and does not require a degree. Skilled Labor visas, such as for chefs, generally require 10 years of practical experience. If you are applying for Business Manager to start a business, academic credentials are not a formal requirement either.
Q2: What is the difference between Specified Skilled Worker and Technical Intern Training?
Technical Intern Training (技能実習, ginō jisshū) was officially framed as a program for learning skills and then returning home to contribute there. In principle, changing employers was highly restricted, and the maximum stay was generally 5 years. Specified Skilled Worker is a formal labor-import system. Workers can change employers within the same field, and Type 2 can lead to permanent residence. Since 2024, the Technical Intern Training system has been moving toward a new “Employment for Skill Development” framework (育成就労), which is expected to connect more smoothly with the Specified Skilled Worker system in the future.
Q3: What if my Highly Skilled Professional points do not reach 70?
Then the practical approach is to enter and work in Japan under another status first, such as Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services, while improving your score. Common ways to gain points include increasing your annual income, passing JLPT N1 (+15 points), or securing bonus points based on graduation from a recognized university. Once you reach 70 points, you can apply to change to Highly Skilled Professional at that time.
Q4: I currently hold the Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services visa. Can I take on a side job?
In principle, this status only allows work that falls within its authorized scope. If your side job is also within that scope, for example software development in addition to your main engineering job, it is usually less problematic. But if the side business falls outside the authorized scope, such as running an online retail shop, you may need permission to engage in activity other than that permitted under your current status, or you may need to consider changing your status of residence.
Q5: Can a Business Manager visa holder hire themselves as an employee?
No. A Business Manager visa holder is treated as a business operator or manager, not as an employee. You cannot pay yourself “employee salary” in that sense. Your compensation should generally be structured as director’s remuneration as the representative director or corporate officer. For more on cost structure and income treatment, see 👉 Business Manager Visa Costs Explained
Q6: Can I still lose permanent residence after obtaining it?
Yes. Permanent residence does not have a fixed expiry date, but it can still be lost. For example, if you stay outside Japan for a long period without proper re-entry permission, your status may lapse. Serious criminal conduct can also lead to revocation. In this respect, Highly Skilled Professional (ii) can in some cases be more flexible than permanent residence because it may be less vulnerable to cancellation due to long absences.
Q7: Can family members on a Dependent visa work?
A Dependent visa (家族滞在, kazoku taizai) does not itself allow employment. However, dependents may apply for permission to engage in activity other than that permitted, and if approved, they may work up to 28 hours per week. If they want to work full time, they generally need to change to a work-authorized status. For details, see 👉 Dependent Visa Guide
Q8: Can I apply directly from China for a Business Manager visa, without already being in Japan?
Yes, but it is significantly more difficult in practice. You need a reliable person in Japan, such as a business partner or certified administrative scrivener, to help with company formation, office leasing, and other setup procedures. The process is more complicated than applying from inside Japan, and the review tends to be stricter. For details, see 👉 Complete Business Manager Visa Guide
Q9: What is the relationship between the residence card and the visa?
The residence card (在留カード, zairyū card) is the IC card you receive after entering Japan, either at the airport or through immigration procedures. It shows your status of residence, period of stay, work restrictions, and other key information. In everyday life in Japan, it is one of your most important identity documents and is needed for renting housing, opening bank accounts, and getting a mobile phone contract. The visa is what you obtain overseas before entry; after arrival, the residence card is what governs your day-to-day legal status in Japan.
Q10: Can one person hold multiple statuses of residence at the same time?
No. A person can hold only one status of residence at a time. That is one reason the “combined activities” benefit under Highly Skilled Professional is so valuable: it allows you to engage in multiple kinds of activities under a single status, such as working for a company while also managing a side business.
Final reminder: Japan’s immigration law and status of residence system are revised frequently, and the 2024-2025 period in particular has seen major changes, including the introduction of the new Employment for Skill Development system, expansion discussions for Specified Skilled Worker fields, and ongoing policy discussions around digital nomad options. This article is written based on the system as it stood in early 2025. When preparing a real application, always confirm the latest rules published by the Immigration Services Agency and consider seeking case-specific advice from a qualified gyoseishoshi.
Wishing you success in your path to working or building a business in Japan.