"Visa" and "Residence Status"
Are Actually Different Things!
Think of It Like a Company HR Analogy...
You don't use the "offer letter" once you've started. The "ID badge" is what matters.
For Employers & HR Managers
What you should check is not the old visa sticker in the passport, but the individual's "Residence Card".
The "type of residence status" and "work restriction" noted on this card determine whether the person can legally work.
Hello! I'm Shizuka Wakabayashi, a certified Immigration Specialist.
Many people use the word "visa" in everyday conversation, but the legal basis for work activities in Japan is actually something slightly different from a "visa."
Conclusion: As Different as a "Job Offer Letter" and an "Employee ID"!
- Visa (Certificate)= Pre-entry "Job Offer Letter"
- Residence Status= Post-entry "Employee ID Badge"
What Is a "Visa (Certificate)"?
It is a certificate issued by a Japanese embassy or consulate abroad confirming that "this person has a valid passport and there is no impediment to entry." It functions as a "letter of recommendation."
- Issued by: Ministry of Foreign Affairs (embassies abroad)
- Expires: Once you pass immigration inspection, its role is complete.
- Format: A sticker affixed to your passport.
What Is "Residence Status"?
It is the legal qualification permitting a foreign national to reside and engage in activities in Japan. It falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Justice (Immigration Services Agency).
- Issued by: Ministry of Justice (Immigration Services Agency)
- Duration: You must conduct activities based on this status at all times while in Japan.
- Format: Issued as a Residence Card.
* What people commonly call a "work visa" or "spouse visa" is technically this "residence status."
[Important] HR Managers Should Check the "Residence Card"
Do not look at the old visa sticker in the passport. Check the "Residence Card" instead.
Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services
→ Can only be employed for specialized professional work
Permanent Resident / Spouse of Japanese National, etc.
→ No restrictions on type of work
Student / Dependent
→ No work permitted in principle (*up to 28 hrs/week with Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted)
Summary
- Visa: A letter of recommendation for entry (passport sticker)
- Residence Status: A permit for your activities (Residence Card)
By always checking the "Residence Card" at the time of hiring, you can protect your company from the risk of illegal employment.