Consular Affairs & Visa

2017/8/29

Visas

  • General Visa
  • Specified Visa
  • Diplomatic and Official Visa
  • Medical Visa


General Visa

The category of General Visa is divided into the following types of general visa:


Cultural Activities (1 year or 6 months)

A person holding this type of visa, is authorised to engage in academic or artistic activities that provide no income, activities for the purpose of pursuing specific studies on Japanese culture or arts, or activities for the purpose of learning and acquiring skills in Japanese culture or arts under the guidance of experts (for example, ikebana, tea ceremony, judo, etc.)


College Student (2 years 3 monts, 2 years, 1 years 3 months or 1 year)

A person holding this type of visa, is authorised to engage in activities to receive education at colleges or equivalent educational institutions, specialised courses of study at miscellaneous schools (senshu gakko), educational institutions designated for preparing persons who have completed 12 years of education at schools in foreign countries to enter college, or technical colleges (koto senmon gakko). Applicants must fulfil certain conditions regarding ability to pay living expenses, etc.


Pre-college Student (1 year 3 monts, 1 year or 6 months)

A person holding this type of visa, is authorised to engage in activities to receive education at high schools, high school courses of schools for the blind or of handicapped children's schools, higher or general courses of miscellaneous schools (kakushu gakko and senshu gakko), or of other educational institutions that are equivalent to kakushu gakko schools in facilities and curriculum. Applicants must fulfil certain conditions regarding ability to pay living expenses, etc.


Trainee (1 year or6 months)

 A person holding this type of visa, is authorised to engage in activities to learn and acquire technology, skills or knowledge at public or private organisations in Japan (including not only training in industrial techniques and skills but also administrative training in local governments and other public bodies and clerical training to acquire knowledge).


Dependent (3 years, 2 years, 1 year, 6 months, or 3 months)

A person holding this type of visa, is authorised to engage in daily living activities on the part of the spouse or unmarried minor child of those who stay in Japan with a status of residence or with a Cultural Activities or College Student status of residence.


Specified visa

The category of Specified Visa consist of the following subcategories:
•Designated Activities
•Spouse or Child of Japanese National
•Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident
•Long-term Resident


Designated Activities

A person holding this type of visa, is authorised to engage in activities that are specifically designated by the Minister of Justice for foreign individuals. (For example, activities on the part of foreigners who wish to enter Japan as personal help privately employed by diplomats, consular representatives, etc.; foreigners who wish to enter Japan under bilateral working holiday agreements; foreigners who are employed by companies, etc. and are active as athletes in amateur sports and their dependent spouses and children)


Spouse or Child of Japanese National (3 years or 1 year)

This type of visa is granted to spouses of Japanese nationals, children adopted by Japanese nationals in accordance with the provisions of Article 817-2 of the Civil Code (Law No. 89 of 1896), or those born as children of Japanese nationals.


Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident (3 years or 1 year)

This type of visa is granted to spouses of those who stay with Permanent Resident status or those who are Special Permanent Residents as described in the Special Law on Immigration Control, which covers those who have lost Japanese nationality through a peace treaty between Japan and another nation, or those born as children of Permanent or Special Permanent Residents.


Long-term Resident (3 years or 1 year)

This type of visa is granted to those who are authorised to reside in Japan for a period of stay designated by the Minister of Justice in consideration of special circumstances (for example, second- and third-generation Japanese settlers, Indochinese refugee settlers, refugees as stipulated by the convention relating to the Status of Refugees, etc.


Diplomatic and official visa

Diplomatic Visa

Diplomats holding a Diplomatic Visa are authorised to engage in activities on the part of constituent members of diplomatic missions or consular offices of foreign governments hosted by the Government of Japan, and activities on the part of their family members belonging to the same household.
Furthermore, they are authorised to engage in activities on the part of those who are provided with similar privileges and/or immunities as are given to diplomatic missions in accordance with treaties or international customary practices (for example, heads of state, ministers, and parliamentary speakers of foreign countries; the secretary general of the United Nations; the secretary generals of specialised agencies of the United Nations; etc.), and activities on the part of their family members belonging to the same household.


Official Visa

Holders of an Official Visa are authorised to engage in activities on the part of those who engage in official business of foreign governments or international organisations recognised by the Government of Japan, and activities on the part of their family members belonging to the same household.


Medical visa

"Visa for Medical Stay" is a visa issued to foreign patients wishing to visit Japan for medical purposes (including full medical check-ups). The visa is issued to their accompanying person(s) as well if necessary and as needed. For further details.

Outline of application procedures for nationals of India from 11 January 2016 (7 January 2016)
Specified visa: Designated activities (Long Stay for sightseeing and recreation)(3 August 2015)
Points-based Preferential Immigration Treatment for Highly Skilled Foreign Professionals (10 November 2014)