Expanding business operations to Japan will help you establish new relationships and enter a previously untapped market. However, an expansion also means you need to hire a full team or transfer some...
Read MoreExpanding business operations to Japan will help you establish new relationships and enter a previously untapped market. However, an expansion also means you need to hire a full team or transfer some of your parent company’s employees to Japan. You also need to learn how to get a work visa for every single employee that's not from Japan.
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Expanding business operations to Japan will help you establish new relationships and enter a previously untapped market. However, an expansion also means you need to hire a full team or transfer some of your parent company’s employees to Japan. You also need to learn how to get a work visa for every single employee that’s not from Japan.
Japan has close to 30 different work permits and long-term visas based on an expatriates’ job and reason for moving to Japan. There are specific work visas for occupation, including options for artists, instructors, journalists, professors, skilled laborers, and more. The type of permit an employee applies for will determine how long they can remain in Japan. Typically, the length ranges from 3 months to 5 years.
In addition to the work permits for occupations, Japan recently introduced specific skills visas, including:
Individuals coming to Japan for any other reason besides tourism must get a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) before obtaining a work permit or visa. The COE will state that an applicant is legally able to visit Japan for work, family, or another qualifying reason. The visa application process requires this certificate, so employees must have it before taking any further steps.
Remember that specific requirements can vary from visa to visa. For example, individuals may need to provide a CV and original university degree or certificate to obtain a work visa in Japan. Other common requirements include a:
The first step to applying for a work visa in Japan is finding a sponsor, which is typically an employer. The individual or local sponsoring organization must apply to the Regional Immigration Services Bureau to get the COE. The application process for the COE includes:
If your employee is applying for a specified skills visa, they must submit a points calculation as well. The points system will rate applicants based on their skills, and they’ll need more than 70 points to be considered for a visa. As an employer, you also need to prepare certain documents for the visa application process, including:
Applicants must pay a fee for the type of working visa they’re applying for. The fee depends on the type of visa, the applicant’s nationality, and whether they want a single- or multiple-entry process. Usually, a single-entry visa is about JPY 3,000 and a multiple-entry visa is JPY 6,000.
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THIS CONTENT IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE LEGAL OR TAX ADVICE. You should always consult with and rely on your own legal and/or tax advisor(s). G-P does not provide legal or tax advice. The information is general and not tailored to a specific company or workforce and does not reflect G-P’s product delivery in any given jurisdiction. G-P makes no representations or warranties concerning the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of this information and shall have no liability arising out of or in connection with it, including any loss caused by use of, or reliance on, the information.
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