Business in Japan - Adesse Co., Ltd. Q&A Visas in Japan

Q1: Could you tell me the outline of the procedure to stay in Japan ?

A1: First of all, you need your passport. The procedure to get a passport depends on which country you live. Ask your local agency. Next, you must get a proper status of residence. The status of residence is often confused with a visa but they are different. The status of residence has 27 types. You must obtain a status in line with your purpose of immigration.

Q2: I heard that in a certain case, I can land on Japan without a visa. Is that true ?

A2:　Yes. If your country has the Visa Exemption Arrangements with Japan, you are permitted to short-term stay in Japan. But your activities are limited to sightseeing or business trip. You must not be engaged in any paid activities. So, you can use it when you will do a research about investments in Japan but not when you start your own business.
　As of April 2006, those countries/Area are 62. Each country has a different period of stay to be permitted. For example, see the list below.

(April 2006)
Singapore　: 3months
Brunei 　: 14days
Korea 　: 90days
Taiwan 　 : 90days
Hong Kong :　90days
Macau　: 90days
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　

Q3: Tell me about the status of residence (SOR) for investment or starting-up business?

A3: There are 27 types of SOR in Japan and among them, “Investor/Business Manager” is suitable for the purpose. But if you have a license such as a lawyer or an accountant in your country and intend to work as the professional, “Legal/Accounting Services” visa is the proper one.

Q4: When I am employed by a company, instead of starting my own business, what is the visa for it?

A4: Among 27 types of SOR, 16 types permit you to work and be paid. But most of them are very special and unusual for many people, which for example are “Diplomat”, “Religious Activities” and “Journalist”.
　The most popular SOR is “Specialist in Humanities/International Services” and the second is “Engineer”.

Q5: I am going to invest in Japan but not to manage the company. Do I need the SOR “Investor/Business Manager” even if I will not be a business manager?

A5: You do not need any SOR if you will just invest in Japan because SOR is a permission to stay in Japan. If you will invest your money AND manage the company by your own, you need the SOR.

Q6:　I will start up a new trading company in Japan. I will invest and be the first CEO. How can I obtain the visa?

A6: Your visa should be the one for “Investor/Business Manager”. You should apply the visa to the Japanese Embassy or Consulate in your country. But before it, you should get your “Certificate of Eligibility”. C/E is a kind of evidence that the applicant fulfills various conditions of the Immigration Control Act. To get your C/E, you may submit the several documents to the Regional Immigration Authority in Japan. The documents are, but not limited to, shown in the list below.

Passport (copy)
CV or Resume
Application Form of Certificate of Eligibility
A copy pf Company Registration
Company Profile
Business Plan (and Income Statement,if any)
A copy of the lease contract of the office in Japan
A cppy of the labor contact with the staff
Copies of resident cards or certificates of alien registration of the staff.
A receipt of the paid Employment Insurance Premium

Q7: How long does it take to obtain Certificate of Eligibility?

A7: Normally, it takes one to three months. But you must submit all the necessary documents in which no error exists. If you omit any of the documents or if there is a mistake in it, you cannot get C/E until the problem is all clear.

Q8: The application of C/E cannot be done outside Japan? Can I do it at the embassy in my country?

A8: Immigration Authority (RIA) under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Justice. The jurisdiction is determined by which part of Japan you intend to stay.

Q9: Can I ask someone in Japan to apply my C/E on behalf of myself?

A9: Yes. It is ideal that you go directly to the RIA but you can use an agent for it. The agent should be a licensed (Gyoseishoshi) lawyer.

Q10: After I obtain my C/E successfully, what should I do?

A10: Go to the Japanese Embassy or Consulate in your country with it. Do not forget your passport and the other documents (see Q6).

Q11: When I incorporate my company in Japan, I would like to hire some persons of my country. In this case, can’t I hire, under any conditions, a person with “Cultual Activities”, “College Student”, “Pre-college Student”, Trainee”, “Dependent” or “Temporary Visitor”?

A11: Those must not be hired in principle. But if he/she can get a permission of activities outside the status, he/she can work in a certain hours. The permission should be petitioned to the RIA.

Q12: Our company intends to employ some foreign students in Japan after they graduates from their school. What should we do?

A12:The students’ Status of Residences (College Student) should be changed to any type that permits them to work. They should petition Immigration Authority for it. Immigration Authority decides if the changes of status be permitted, judging from his/her major in the college, the expected job in your company, etc.