Country Reference
Japan
Visa news and reference for Japan — the 32 statutory statuses of residence under the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act of 1951, the Highly-Skilled Foreign Professional points-based programme introduced in 2012, the Specified Skilled Worker programme launched on 1 April 2019 covering 14 designated industries, the Technical Intern Training Programme governed by the Act on Proper Technical Intern Training and Protection of Technical Intern Trainees of 2017, the JAPAN eVISA electronic system operated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Trusted Traveler Programme operated by the Immigration Services Agency at major international airports. Japan administers immigration through the Immigration Services Agency of Japan, established as an external agency of the Ministry of Justice on 1 April 2019; short-term-stay visa-exemption agreements extend to over 70 countries through Ministry of Foreign Affairs bilateral arrangements. The country passed legislation establishing the JESTA electronic travel authorization system on 29 May 2026, with phased introduction scheduled by ordinance no later than 31 March 2029.
Last verified: May 30, 2026
Key facts
- Primary immigration framework
- Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act of 1951 (出入国管理及び難民認定法), as amended; Act on Proper Technical Intern Training and Protection of Technical Intern Trainees of 2017
- Primary agency
- Immigration Services Agency of Japan (ISA / 出入国在留管理庁), established 1 April 2019 as an external agency of the Ministry of Justice
- Short-stay visa policy
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (MOFA / 外務省) — administers visa-exemption agreements with over 70 countries and operates the JAPAN eVISA system
- Statuses of residence
- 32 statutory categories defined under Schedule 1 of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act
- Specified Skilled Worker programme
- Launched 1 April 2019 across 14 designated labour-shortage industries; cumulative admission cap raised to approximately 820,000 for the 2024-2029 period
- JESTA framework
- Japan Electronic System for Travel Authorization legislated 29 May 2026 by amendment to the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act; effective date set by government ordinance no later than 31 March 2029
- Currency
- Japanese Yen (JPY / ¥)
- Demonym
- Japanese
Visa types covered
- Short-term-stay visa (up to 90 days for tourism, business, family visits, transit — visa-exempt for 70+ bilateral-agreement nationalities)
- Highly-Skilled Foreign Professional (HSP) — points-based programme introduced in 2012; advanced academic / specialised technical / business management categories with fast-track permanent residence eligibility
- Specified Skilled Worker (SSW i and ii) — launched 1 April 2019 across 14 designated labour-shortage industries; SSW ii enables family accompaniment and extended renewals
- Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services — primary white-collar work-visa category for technical and humanities professionals
- Intra-company Transferee — for personnel transferred from foreign parent or affiliated companies
- Business Manager — for foreign nationals operating or managing foreign-invested businesses in Japan
- Skilled Labour — category-specific specialist roles (chefs, gem cutters, sports instructors, and other defined occupations)
- Technical Intern Training Programme (TITP) — governed by the Act on Proper Technical Intern Training and Protection of Technical Intern Trainees of 2017
- Student (Ryūgaku) — for enrolment at recognised Japanese higher-education and language institutions
- Designated Activities — family-stay and bespoke categories for specific cohorts
- Permanent Resident (永住権 / Eijūken) — typically after 10 years of residence; 1 to 3 years fast-track for HSP-category holders
- JAPAN eVISA — electronic visa application channel operated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for select nationalities
- JESTA (Japan Electronic System for Travel Authorization) — legislated 29 May 2026 under amendment to the Immigration Control Act; effective by 31 March 2029 per government ordinance
Recent news
Japan raises visa issuance fees fivefold from July 2026
Japan
June 24, 2026
Japan parliament passes law authorizing JESTA electronic travel system by 2029
The House of Councillors passed the Immigration Control Act amendment 186-58 on May 29, 2026, authorizing JESTA implementation by ordinance no later than March 31, 2029.
May 30, 2026