The Professor visa (教授) is the appropriate residence status for foreign nationals holding teaching appointments at Japanese universities, junior colleges (短期大学), and colleges of technology (高等専門学校). It covers both full-time faculty positions and visiting or part-time lecturer roles that involve instruction at the higher education level.
Applicants are expected to hold strong academic credentials — typically a doctorate and a track record of scholarly publication. However, the key qualifying factor is the nature of the position: it must involve teaching or research at a recognized higher education institution, rather than at a primary or secondary school (for which the Educator visa applies).
The Professor visa can be issued for periods ranging from 3 months to 5 years and is renewable. Many universities in Japan actively recruit foreign faculty under internationalization initiatives, and the visa process is well-established and relatively straightforward when the host institution handles the Certificate of Eligibility application.
Who Is This For
- ✓University professors and associate professors
- ✓Visiting professors and lecturers at Japanese higher education institutions
- ✓Academic researchers with faculty appointments
- ✓College instructors with teaching responsibilities
Validity Periods
Single Residence Period: Up to 5 years
Requirements
- •A position as professor, associate professor, assistant professor, or lecturer at a university, junior college, or higher technical school in Japan
- •Doctoral degree or equivalent academic credentials, OR recognized professional expertise in the field
- •Employment contract or appointment letter from the Japanese educational institution
- •The institution must be a recognized higher education establishment under Japanese law
- •Valid passport
Costs & Fees
Full breakdown of Immigration fees, scrivener rates, and all other costs for this visa type.
Required Documents
- Valid passport
- Application for Certificate of Eligibility
- Recent passport-size photograph
- Employment contract or appointment letter from the Japanese university or college
- Curriculum vitae (academic CV) including list of publications and academic achievements
- Copy of doctoral degree certificate or highest academic qualification
- Institution's registration documents or accreditation information
- Details of courses to be taught or research to be conducted
Where to Apply
Application Process
- 1Receive an official offer or appointment from a Japanese university or higher education institution
- 2Have the institution apply for a Certificate of Eligibility on your behalf
- 3Receive the COE (typically 1–3 months)
- 4Submit the COE and visa application to the Japanese Embassy or Consulate in your country
- 5Receive your visa and travel to Japan
- 6Register your address at the local municipality within 14 days of arrival
Apply for the Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
Once you've chosen your visa, your Japan-side sponsor (employer / school / family) files the COE with Immigration — then you exchange it for a visa at the embassy.
Residence Status (COE) Review Time
Average processing days as of Jun 2026, based on official Ministry of Justice statistics.
Figures include waiting time for supplementary documents. Denied and withdrawn applications are excluded.
Renewal and change-of-status 'notice' figures include the wait between review completion and pickup at Immigration Bureau.
Work Restrictions
Family & Dependents
Renewal & Extension
Common Visa Transition Paths
These are the most common paths — many other transitions are possible if you meet the eligibility criteria for another residence status.
Important Notices
- ⚠Restricted to universities and equivalent higher education institutions; teachers below senior high school level should apply for the Educator visa
- ⚠A formal employment contract or appointment letter is required
Practical Tips
- →Professor visa review is relatively lenient; it is a stable visa type
- →Research achievements (papers, publications) help with the visa review
- →Can teach concurrently at multiple universities