The Skilled Labor visa (技能) is designed for foreign nationals who possess a high level of expertise in a specific trade or skill that is in demand in Japan. Unlike the Engineer or Specialist visa, which requires university-level academic knowledge, the Skilled Labor visa values practical, hands-on mastery developed through years of professional experience.
The most common holders of this visa are ethnic cuisine chefs — for example, Chinese restaurant chefs, French pastry chefs, or Thai cuisine specialists — as Japan's diverse restaurant culture creates consistent demand for authentic foreign culinary expertise. Other holders include aircraft pilots, sports coaches, professional animal trainers, and artisan craftspeople whose skills are recognized as specialized and valuable.
The experience threshold is typically 10 years for most skilled trades, though some categories have specific provisions. Applicants must document their professional history carefully, as immigration authorities assess the genuineness and depth of the claimed expertise. This visa is renewable and can serve as a stable long-term pathway for skilled tradespeople contributing to Japan's economy and cultural landscape.
Who Is This For
- ✓Foreign chefs specializing in ethnic cuisine (Chinese, French, Thai, etc.)
- ✓Aircraft pilots and navigators employed by Japanese airlines
- ✓Sports coaches and instructors with professional credentials
- ✓Skilled jewelers, glassblowers, and other traditional craftspeople
- ✓Experienced animal trainers and handlers
Validity Periods
Single Residence Period: Up to 5 years
Requirements
- •A position in Japan requiring specific technical skills or artisanal expertise
- •Demonstrated proficiency in the skilled trade (typically 10 years of experience, though chefs may require as few as 5 years of specialized training)
- •Employment contract from a Japanese employer
- •The skill must be of a level not easily available from the domestic Japanese labor market
- •Applicable licenses or certifications if required by the trade
- •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 from the Japanese employer
- Certificates or licenses relevant to the skilled trade
- Detailed proof of work experience (employment records, certificates from previous employers)
- Japanese employer's company registration documents
- Description of the work to be performed in Japan
- Relevant training certificates or apprenticeship records
Where to Apply
Application Process
- 1Secure a job offer from a Japanese employer requiring your specific trade skills
- 2Gather evidence of your professional experience and qualifications (at least 10 years for most trades; specialized cuisine chefs may qualify with fewer years)
- 3Have the employer apply for a Certificate of Eligibility at the regional Immigration Services Agency
- 4Receive the COE and submit your visa application to the Japanese Embassy or Consulate
- 5Receive your visa and enter Japan
- 6Register your address at the local municipality within 14 days
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
- ⚠The 10-year work experience requirement is very strict; reliable proof materials are required
- ⚠Cuisine chefs are the most common application type; competition is fierce
- ⚠Falsifying years of experience is a common reason for rejection
Practical Tips
- →Demand for Chinese, Korean, and Indian cuisine chefs is relatively high
- →Prepare multiple supporting materials for work experience proof (photos, award certificates, etc.)
- →After accumulating experience in Japan, consider switching to a Business Manager visa to open your own restaurant