2025-12-26

For foreigners working in Japan, the “stay period” on a work visa is extremely important. Especially if granted a “5-year” stay period, they can continue working long-term. In this article, an expert explains the definition of a work visa, the criteria for the stay period, and the conditions under which a 5-year stay period is granted.

What is a Work Visa?

A “work visa” refers to the status of residence that foreigners obtain to work for remuneration in Japan. Generally, statuses such as “Engineer, Economist, Specialist in Humanities, or International Services,” “Skilled Labor,” “Caregiver,” “Executive or Manager,” and “Specified Skilled Worker” fall under this category. The type of work visa obtainable differs depending on the nature of the work.

To obtain a work visa, an employment contract must be established between the foreign national and a Japanese company. Furthermore, the actual work performed must align with the activities permitted under the specific residence status. Additionally, meeting requirements such as educational background, work experience, and qualifications is crucial.

After obtaining a work visa, renewal procedures must be completed before the current period of stay expires. To maintain stable employment in Japan, it is essential to continue working in a manner consistent with the requirements of the residence status, while appropriately maintaining the job content and employment conditions.

Period of Stay Criteria

A work visa always specifies a “period of stay” (e.g., 1 year, 3 years, 5 years). The Ministry of Justice comprehensively determines the period granted, considering various factors such as the employer’s financial status, the stability of the employment contract, salary levels, and the applicant’s good conduct record.

The initial period of stay is typically granted for 1 or 3 years. As the status is renewed repeatedly, longer periods may be granted if stability is recognized. However, if there are issues with the company’s capital, business continuity, tax payment status, or the appropriateness of the work content, the initial period may be limited to 1 year.

Additionally, the foreign national’s own history of violations or frequent job changes may also affect the review. In other words, the period of stay is not fixed; stability in the work environment and residency status leads to longer-term permits.

What are the conditions for a 5-year period of stay?

The maximum 5-year period for a work visa is not granted to everyone. To be granted 5 years, the Ministry of Justice must recognize that the foreign national possesses “a certain level of stability and continuity.”

Specifically, factors evaluated include: stable company management and ongoing business operations; appropriate salary and employment conditions for the foreign national; proper tax payments; and no issues with their status of residence in Japan. Furthermore, if the foreign national frequently changes jobs or their employment situation deviates from the activities permitted under their status of residence, they are less likely to be granted a 5-year period of stay.

Conversely, factors like long-term employment with the same company, appropriate job duties, and proper handling of administrative procedures and notifications serve as positive considerations. Since a 5-year period of stay can be seen as a “proof of reliability and stability,” consistently maintaining appropriate activities during residence is crucial.

Summary

To obtain the “5-year” period of stay for a work visa, both the company and the individual must demonstrate sustained stability and appropriate residency activities. Evaluation accumulates with each visa renewal, making the most reliable approach to steadily build a track record of stay in Japan by consistently fulfilling daily work obligations, filing required notifications, paying taxes, and so forth.