Japan work and long-term stay visas

To live, work or study in Japan for longer than a short stay, you generally need a long-term visa. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, long-term categories — including work, student (college and pre-college), training, and dependent/family — in principle require a Certificate of Eligibility issued by the Immigration Services Agency before you apply for the visa at a Japanese embassy or consulate. The categories and requirements are detailed and set by the official rules, so use the official long-term-stay pages to find the route that matches your situation and how to apply.