Japan Work Visa for Indians: Your Key to Employment in Japan 

Japan is an excellent country for working due to its low cost of living, cleanliness, safety, and immense career opportunities. If you want to work in Japan you need a Japanese work visa. The Japan work visa for Indians is of different types and is available for up to 5 years of stay! You can get this visa as a highly skilled professional, professor, or business manager, to work in medical services and more. Want to know more about the Japan work visa for Indians? Keep reading this blog. You will learn about the eligibility criteria, documents, application process, and fees. 

Types of Japan Work Visa for Indians 

Japan has different types of work visas. Therefore, to apply for the right work visa, you must know the types. Below we have provided the different types of Japanese work visas.

Highly Skilled Professional Work Visas 

The highly skilled professionals’ work visas are of 3 types:

Visa	Description
Highly skilled professionals	Those who have outstanding credentials or abilities.
Special highly skilled professional	This visa is for a highly skilled person with a certain level of work experience, education, and yearly income.
Highly skilled foreign professional	This visa is available to the dependents of highly skilled foreign professionals.

Working Visas 

The working visas are categorised based on the occupation.

Occupation	Examples
Professor	Assistant, assistant professor, or university professor
Religious activities	Monks, missionaries, bishops, religious people, etc.
Artists	Sculptors, photographers, songwriters, composers, craftspeople, etc.
Journalists	News cameramen, editors, announcers, magazine journalists, newspaper journalists
Legal/Accounting services	Tax accountants, a public accountant, judicial scriveners, attorneys  certified in Japan
Business Manager	Directors, company presidents
Medical services	Pharmacists, physicians, dentists, nurses, etc., certified in Japan
Instructor	Teachers at high schools, intermediate schools, and elementary schools
Researcher	Investigators, researchers at research institutes
Specialist in humanities/International services/Engineer	Designers, foreign language teachers, interpreters, IT engineers, scientific engineers, copywriters.
Intra-company transferee	Applicants transferred to the Japan branch, the head office of the same company.
Entertainers	Dancers, models, actors, singers, sportspeople, musicians.
Nursing care	Certified care worker
Specified skilled workers	People who possess expertise and skills in certain industries
Skilled labour	Sommeliers, animal trainers, sports trainers, pilots, chefs specializing in the food of a foreign country
Technical intern training	Technical intern

Start-Up Visa

This visa is solely meant for entrepreneurs.

Visa	Description
Start-Up	Entrepreneurs who are supported by the Japanese municipalities. Their children and spouses can also apply for this visa.

Long-Term Stay with a Certificate of Eligibility (COE)

Indian nationals can apply for a Long-Term Stay with a Certificate of Eligibility (COE). These are some features of this visa that you need to keep in mind:

• This Certificate of Eligibility (COE) is issued for long-term stay by the Japanese immigration office. The COE is required for a long-term stay in Japan.
• After getting the COE you can apply for a Japan work visa based on your employment or the purpose of your stay.
• The Long-Term Stay with a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) is granted as a single-entry or multiple-entry permit.

Eligibility Criteria for Japan Work Visa for Indians

The basic eligibility criteria for all work visa applications are as follows:

• Certificate of Eligibility– The  Immigration Services Agency of Japan issues this certificate. A proxy in Japan (For example, your employer) can apply for this certificate on your behalf.
• CV– You must have a properly made CV  to showcase to the immigration authorities
• Have relevant documents– Depending on your visa, you need to submit documents.

What is the Certificate of Eligibility in Japan?

The Certificate of Eligibility (COE) is a document that would verify that you meet the eligibility conditions to receive an employment visa. The government of Japan has made it mandatory for all work visa applicants to obtain a Certificate of Eligibility. The COE can only be applied by a proxy or representative in Japan. Your employer can be your proxy. Only after you have received your COE you become eligible to apply for a Japan work visa for Indians.

Requirements for Japan Work Visa for Indian Nationals 

To apply for any Japan work visa you need to submit relevant documents. These documents must be either in English or Japanese. Note: The exact documents required will vary depending on the visa type. We have only provided the general document requirements.

• A passport– A valid passport with more than 2 blank pages. You also need to submit copies of your old passport (if any)
• Visa application form– Filled out and signed  
• Certificate of eligibility- (Original, e-COE, copy, printout of email are all acceptable)
• Photograph– Taken within the last 6 months 
• Educational certificates– From the last school attended
• Experience certificate– You have received previously 

Read our Complete Guide About Japan Work Visa Requirements

Where Can I Get the Japan Work Visa Application Form?

VFS Global is the official partner. They facilitate the visa application process. Japan work visa for Indians application forms can be downloaded from their official website. You can follow the steps below to download the visa application form.

• Visit the Offical Website of VFS Global 
• Go to the visa types section for Japanese work visas 
• Next, choose the option ‘Long-term stay with Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
• Thereafter, choose the option to download the form
• Download the Japan work visa application form 

You can also visit the official website of the Japanese embassy in India, and download the visa application form. The application form can be downloaded from the right side of the home page.

How to Apply for a Japan Work Visa for Indians?

You can apply for a Japanese work visa for Indian nationals by following the steps below:

• Get the Certificate of Eligibility (COE)- You must get a COE. Your employer will apply to the Regional Immigration Services, Bureau of Immigration Services Agency on your behalf. You can get this certificate if you meet the eligibility requirements for a particular employment visa.
• Download the visa application form– You can get this from the Japanese Diplomatic Representative Office like VFS Global
• Fill out the visa application form, and gather documents- At this stage, you can fill out the visa application form and gather all the documents required for the visa
• Schedule appointment– You can choose a visa application centre, and schedule your visa appointment.
• Visit the Visa Application Centre– On the date of your visa appointment present your documents.
• Submit Biometric Information- You can submit your biometric information on the same day. 
• Attend interview-  You may have to clear a visa interview.
• Pay the visa application fees– You need to pay the fees required for the visa application
• Wait for a response– The visa application processing takes place. You need to wait for a response. You can also track your application progress online, or through SMS or email updates.
• Pack your bags-Once the visa is approved you can pack your bags and travel to Japan. 

What is the Japan Work Visa for Indians Cost?

The cost of a Japanese work visa for Indian nationals is as follows:

Type of Entry	Visa Fees for Indians
Single Entry	INR 550
Multiple Entry	INR 550

Note: Those applying through VFS Global only has to pay a fee of INR 500.

What is the Japan Work Visa for Indians Processing Time?

The processing time for a Japan work visa is provided below:

Japan Work Visa	Processing Time
Single entry	4 working days (excluding the day of application submission)
Multiple entry	4 working days (excluding the day of application submission)

Note- The Embassy of Japan can decide to increase or decrease the visa processing time at its discretion. If you are applying through VFS Global the processing time can take 5 working days. 

Should I Get a Travel /Medical Insurance to Work In Japan?

Travel or medical insurance is not mandatory for a Japan work visa. However, getting one before you travel to Japan is incredibly beneficial. Some of the benefits of getting travel insurance for Japan are as follows:

• It will help cover your medical emergencies, treatment, and hospitalisation costs
• Covers your trip interruption or cancellation costs 
• Provides compensation for delayed baggage or lost baggage
• Moreover, you will receive 24/7 assistance regarding medical or legal aid.

Learn about the Japan Student Visa for Indians

What is the Japan Work Visa Validity?

The Japan work visa for Indians is validity is as follows:

Visa	Validity
Long Term Stay with a Certificate of Eligibility (COE)	More than 90 days

What to Do in Case of a Japan Work Visa Rejection?

A Japan work visa can be rejected due to several reasons. In case of a visa refusal, you have two options.

• Reapplication– Identify the reason for your visa application rejection. You can see this in your rejection letter. After that, correct those errors and apply them again. For example, in case of insufficient documents provide sufficient documents the next time.
• Appeal: If your visa application has been rejected due to unfair reasons you can appeal the decision. The application for appeal has to be filed in 15 days of receiving the work visa refusal letter.

6 Tips for a Successful Japan Work Visa Application for Indians 

Here we have provided some tips for Japan work visa for Indians application process. Keeping these tips in mind will help you to avoid a work visa rejection.

• Accurate information – Ensure that the documents and the information you have provided in the application form are correct.
• Finances– Ensure that you have sufficient funds to cover your expenses
• Purpsoe of Stay– Make your purpose of stay clear to the visa officer 
• Correct Visa Type– Make sure that you are applying for the correct visa
• Certificate of Eligibility– You must have already obtained the certificate of eligibility before applying for the visa
• Job offer letter – You must have a valid job offer from a recognised employer in Japan.

How Much Bank Balance is Required for a Japan Work Visa?

Japan does not have a strict bank balance requirement for work visa applicants. However, it is recommended that you get a job offer of at least the amount specified in the table below:

Visa	Minimum Salary Requirement
Long Term Stay with a Certificate of Eligibility (COE)	200,000 yen.

What is the SSW Visa in Japan? 

The SSW  or the specified skilled worker is not a visa. While a Japan work visa for Indians will allow you to enter Japan, a residence permit will allow you to stay. The SSW is a type of residence that permits you to enter the country.  

After you arrive in Japan you have to undergo an examination at the airport by the Immigration Services Agency of Japan to acquire the status as a ‘resident. The SSW is a type of ‘status of residence’. 

Types of SSW

There are two types of residence permits- 

• SSW 1 
• SSW 2.

Features of SSW (1&2)

The following are the features of SSW 1 and SSW 2. Those who are applying for Japan work visa for Indians must be aware of this.

Features	SSW (1)	SSW (2)
Duration of stay	Up to 5 years in total	No stay limit on a renewable basis
Language proficiency (Japan)	Japanese Language Proficiency. Must be confirmed by exams	No test required
Accompanied by family members	Family members are not permitted	Spouses and children are permitted
Skill standards	Confirmed by exams	Confirmed by exams

FAQs

We hope you now understand all about the Japan work visa for Indians. Want to apply for a Visa for your study abroad journey? Drop us a comment in the section below, or you can connect with a visa expert at Leverage Edu, and we will guide you on your dream journey!