2025-10-28

The number of foreigners wishing to work in Japan continues to grow each year. A work visa is essential for this purpose. However, work visas are fundamentally residency statuses designed for employment by a company. Can foreign “freelancers” obtain a work visa?

What is a Work Visa?

Foreigners wishing to work in Japan must obtain a “work visa.” A work visa is the general term for the “status of residence” required to engage in activities for remuneration in Japan. In practice, there are multiple types corresponding to job roles and working styles, such as “Engineer, Economist, Specialist in Humanities, or International Services (commonly called ‘Engineer/Economist/Specialist/International Services’)”, ‘Management’, and “Skilled Labor”.

In other words, there isn’t a single “work visa” status of residence. Instead, the permitted activities for each status of residence are specified in detail. For example, intellectual labor like IT engineering or translation falls under “Technical/Humanities/International Services,” starting a business requires “Management/Administration,” and professionals with specialized skills like chefs or architects use the “Skilled Labor” category.

Therefore, you must confirm which residence status activity description matches your intended occupation in Japan. Conversely, it is generally impossible to obtain a work visa for occupations that do not fit any existing residence status category.

Can Foreign Freelancers Obtain a Work Visa?

Many foreigners wonder if they can obtain a “work visa” to work as freelancers in Japan.

However, realistically, Japan does not envision a dedicated “work visa” for freelancers, so such a visa does not exist. In other words, it is difficult to obtain a work visa for the purpose of “freely working as a self-employed individual” in Japan.

However, this does not mean obtaining a work visa is impossible. For example, if you establish your own company and manage a business, you may be eligible for a “Business Management Visa.” Additionally, if you contract with multiple companies and the nature of your work meets the requirements for a visa such as the “Technical/Humanities Visa,” you may be granted residency status through a method similar to an employment contract.

Furthermore, for artists or researchers, there are cases where residency statuses specifically recognizing independent activities can be utilized. In other words, rather than being constrained by the term “freelancer,” it is possible to obtain a work visa by aligning the actual work performed and the contractual arrangement with existing residency statuses.

Points to Note When Applying for a Work Visa

When considering applying for a work visa, several points must be understood. First, the Immigration Services Agency (ISA) places significant emphasis on the stability and continuity of the applicant’s activities. Freelancers are generally considered to have unstable income, so when applying, it is necessary to demonstrate a stable source of income by presenting multiple contracts and income certificates.

Furthermore, applications will not be approved unless the conditions specified for each residence status (e.g., educational background, work history, investment amount) are met. For example, the “Business Management Visa” may require securing a business office and an investment (capital) of at least 5 million yen. In other words, failing to prepare these elements increases the likelihood of rejection.

Furthermore, obtaining a work visa does not guarantee ongoing security; during renewal procedures, your activities and income will be re-evaluated. Therefore, you must organize your contracts and income certificates and be prepared to explain them at any time.

If you feel uncertain about obtaining a work visa yourself, consulting a specialist (such as an administrative scrivener) to explore obtaining or changing to a visa that matches your background, work content, and actual circumstances is a realistic step toward working as a freelancer in Japan.

Summary

Since the work visa is not a residency status designed for freelancers (sole proprietors), foreign freelancers generally cannot obtain a work visa. However, if the actual work performed closely resembles an employment contract, residency status may be granted in some cases.