2.4 Types of working statuses

Below are shown the principal statuses of residence related to investment in Japan and the activities authorized in Japan for each status

The following documentation is generally needed when applying for a Certificate of Eligibility for all working statuses:

In addition to the above, submission of a certificate of job content, certificate of employment by current and past employers, foreign company's business brochure, business license, and similar documents may be required depending on the type of status of residence. Furthermore, when the organization of affiliation in Japan is a representative office of a foreign company, it is not possible to obtain the certified copy of the company register specified in (7) above. Instead, documents such as the lease agreement and layout plan and photograph of the office, and a document certifying the resolution made in the home country of opening a Japanese representative office may be required.

The following documentation is generally needed when applying for visa at a Japanese diplomatic mission abroad after a Certificate of Eligibility has been issued:

The status of residence is determined depending on the content of the applicant’s activities in Japan.

General status of residence:

Foreign IT professionals are generally considered to fall under the status of residence for “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services.” If a professional is deemed highly skilled by the “points-based system” based on educational background, work experience, annual income, etc. and gains the status of residence for Advanced specialized/technical activities: “Highly Skilled Foreign Professional(i)(b),” the person may be eligible for preferential immigration treatment (See 2.11). If a person wants to obtain the status of residence for “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services,” then the person has to have an income equal to or higher than the amount a Japanese would earn in the same job and should fall under any of the following:

However, (1) to (3) above are not required if the person has passed or obtained a certification of one of the IT exams specified in announcements by the Minister of Justice.

In order to obtain the status of residence for “Business manager,” it is required for the Japanese subsidiary, branch, or representative office, etc. that serves as the organization of affiliation to have an exclusive and physical office independent from other companies. With a non-physical virtual office, a shared office with a related corporation, or an open space such as a co-working space or a shared workspace, which are often used when a foreign company advances into Japan, the possibility of not obtaining the status of residence for “Business Manager” becomes higher (When it is not possible to have an independent office immediately, you can consider using the "Projects for Encouraging Foreign Entrepreneurs to Start Business" or “Program to increase foreign entrepreneurs” in national strategic special zones as stated later in 2.12).

When obtaining an office by renting, it is, as a general rule, required to clearly state in the lease agreement of such property that it is used for business purposes and that the name of the lessee to be such corporation, etc. When the lease period is short, such as using a short-term rental space on a monthly basis, it is treated as if the office is not secured.

Furthermore, when applying for a status of residence other than “Business Manager,” depending on the case, the Regional Immigration Bureau might require to submit the lease agreement of the office, and photos, etc. of the interior and exterior of the office in cases where there is a suspicion whether the office is substantial or not, such as the cases where there is a serviced office at the registered address of the head office or where the location of the head office is the same as the representative’s residential address.