Can a visitor visa be switched to work in Japan?
Usually no. Temporary visitor status cannot be changed to work in Japan; you typically leave and re-apply with a COE.
パスポートアトラス
日本 travel, immigration and PR
Japan splits tourism, work and PR: a temporary visitor cannot switch to work in-country, but Highly Skilled Professional points can cut PR from ten years to one–three.
観光移民
Openness rank
#144
Entry openness
74
ビザ免除
72
Briefing updated
2026-09
国プロフィール
首都
Tokyo
人口
123.3 million
面積
377,835 km²
通貨
Japanese yen JPY
言語
Japanese
時区
UTC+09:00
外国生まれ人口
3.4 million · 2024
移民比率
2.8%
民族・エスニシティ · 2022
- Japanese97.5%
- other1.2%
- Chinese0.6%
- Vietnam0.4%
- South Korean0.3%
外国生まれ人口は国連の国際移民ストック（世界銀行経由、多くは2024年）。民族構成は各国の公表分類。肌の色での国勢調査は少数です。目安であり公式ではありません。
査証と移民ルートパスポート免除リスト書類と証明写真Visa siteImmigration site
このガイドの対象
For travellers, students aiming to work after graduation, and residents on Engineer/Humanities or HSP status who need a PR timeline.
渡航と滞在
Most Western passports are visa-free. Chinese passports usually need a temporary visitor visa, often lodged via appointed agencies. Stays are typically 15 / 30 / 90 days, set at the border, and cannot be changed to work. Event or cruise waivers do not rewrite the general rule.
就労・滞在の道
Work routes almost always need a Certificate of Eligibility: the host files with Immigration, you exchange it at a mission, then collect a residence card. Specified Skilled Worker is tests plus a registered supporter. Graduates can switch to work or a job-hunting status. HSP scores education, salary and Japanese.
永住と国籍
Ordinary PR is about ten years of residence; HSP at 70 points is roughly three years, 80 points about one. Spouse, tax and pension records and a clean file matter. Naturalisation is a separate decision and does not automatically keep dual nationality. Confirm with the Immigration Services Agency.
Time to PR：Usually 10 years; HSP 1 or 3; Japanese spouse often 1–3
主要パスポートの入国
よくある質問
How fast is PR on Highly Skilled Professional?
About three years at 70 points, one year at 80, still subject to tax, pension and conduct — not automatic.
Does a Chinese passport need a visa?
On this site’s matrix the result is “電子ビザ”. confirm length of stay with the destination. The port and mission are authoritative.
Does a US passport need a visa?
On this site’s matrix the result is “ビザ免除”. typical stay on the matrix is 90 days. The port and mission are authoritative.
関連ガイド
台湾Handbooks summarise public sources so you can cross-check the visa matrix and policy playbooks. They are not legal advice. Quotas, stay lengths and visa-free lists move — confirm with the destination government and its missions before you travel or file.