FAQ

(about other Statuses of Residence)

Status of Residence

[Medical Service]What are the options for foreign doctors to practice medicine in Japan?

To work as a medical doctor in Japan, a foreign physician must first obtain eligibility certification from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare to take Japan's National Medical Licensing Examination. After passing the exam and completing medical registration, they are granted a Japanese medical license, allowing them to practice medicine legally in the country. They must also obtain the proper residence status, usually the “Medical Services” visa. Additionally, foreign doctors without a Japanese license may participate in the Clinical Training Program for Foreign Medical Practitioners, which allows supervised clinical training at designated hospitals with special permission from the ministry.Aiming to become a Medical doctor in Japan!

[Designated Activity]What should I do if I want to stay in Japan for tourism or recreation purposes beyond the short-term stay period?

Designated Activities (Notice No. 40) is a system that allows elderly people and financially well-off foreigners to stay in Japan for medium to long periods of time for the purposes of tourism, recreation, leisure, etc. You can enter the country on a short-term stay basis, and after entering the country, you can apply for a Certificate of Eligibility for the status of residence "Designated Activities (Notice No. 40)." Once the Certificate of Eligibility is issued, you can apply for permission to change your status of residence from "Short-term Stay" to "Designated Activities (Notice No. 40)."Japan Immigration Topics

[Designated Activity]What is a digital nomad?

Digital nomads are people who work remotely via the internet and choose a lifestyle that is not tied to a specific location. Japan has recently begun implementing a residence status system to accept digital nomads, attracting attention both at home and abroad.Japan Immigration Topics

[Designated Activity]What is the residency status for a digital nomad?

The status will be "Designated Activities (Public Notice No. 53)." Because no proxy is designated for the "Application for Certificate of Eligibility," foreign nationals must enter Japan on a short-term stay basis, apply for the "Certificate of Eligibility" themselves while in Japan (this can be entrusted to an administrative scrivener), and after receiving the issuance, apply for permission to change their status of residence from "Short-term Stay" to "Designated Activities (Public Notice No. 53)."

[Business Manager]On October 16, 2025, the capital requirement for the “Business Manager” status of residence was raised from 5 million yen to 30 million yen. What should individuals who are already residing in Japan under the “Business Manager” status do in response to this change?

From the first application for extension of the period of stay submitted after three years have passed from the enforcement date, that is, on or after 16 October 2028, applicants will, in principle, be required to meet the new capital requirement.Japan Immigration Topics

[Spouse of a Japanese national]In what cases will a sham marriage be suspected in a residence application?

When applying for residence, a sham marriage may be suspected if there is little evidence of a married couple. Specifically, this includes cases where the couple are not living together, the relationship is extremely short, there is little understanding of each other's lives and families, or there are unnatural aspects to their income or purpose of residence. Suspicion is also likely to arise if there is little evidence of the relationship, such as photos or contact history, or if there are inconsistencies in the explanation, so it is important to carefully present reasonable circumstances.Japan Immigration Topics

[Skilled Labor]What are the requirements to stay in Japan as a Chinese chef?

To reside in Japan as a Chinese cuisine chef, it is necessary to obtain the “Skilled Labor” residence status. One of the main requirements is at least ten years of practical experience in preparing Chinese cuisine, and this period may include a certain amount of study at a culinary school. The work performed in Japan must involve techniques unique to Chinese cuisine and require a high level of expertise; simple kitchen assistance is not sufficient. In addition, the employment conditions must be equivalent to those offered to Japanese workers, and the restaurant accepting the chef must have stable management and comply with labor laws and social insurance obligations. Only when these conditions are met can a chef be permitted to stay in Japan as a holder of specialized culinary skills.Japan Immigration Topics