One of the Designated Activities sub-types. This is Designated Activities notice No. 37. For the full list see the Designated Activities overview; its sister category is Specified Research Activities (No. 36).
What this status is
Specified Information Processing Activities is for foreign IT professionals working for an institution designated by the Minister of Justice. Under a contract with that institution you do information-processing work requiring natural-science or humanities knowledge or skills at its premises — or, when dispatched to another company as a dispatched worker, at the client's premises.
It is not J-Skip
It is sometimes described as a "J-Skip IT visa". That is wrong. J-Skip (the Special Highly Skilled Professional system, April 2023) grants Highly Skilled Professional status: a master's degree or 10+ years of relevant experience plus ¥20M+ salary (business managers: 5+ years and ¥40M+), with permanent residency possible after 1 year. This status has no such salary or degree thresholds — what matters is whether the host institution has been designated by the Minister of Justice.
Key features
- Period of stay: up to 5 years, renewable
- Dispatch allowed: you may work at client sites as a dispatched worker
- Family: a dependent spouse and children can join; the holder's or spouse's parents can join if they live with and are supported by the holder and move to Japan together
Before you apply
First confirm that the host institution is designated, then prepare a contract stating the activity, period, position and pay. Check documents and steps on the Immigration Services Agency page.
Who Is This For
- ✓Software and systems engineers hired by an IT company designated by the Minister of Justice
- ✓IT engineers dispatched to work at client sites
- ✓IT engineers who need to bring their parents
Requirements
- •A contract with a Japanese public or private institution designated by the Minister of Justice (it must contribute to the information-processing industry and meet criteria set by ministerial ordinance)
- •Information-processing work requiring natural-science or humanities knowledge or skills
- •Work at that institution's premises, or at the client's premises when you are a dispatched worker
- •The contract must state the activity, period, position and pay
- •Graduation certificate and documents proving your career and qualifications
- •Valid passport
Full breakdown of Immigration fees, scrivener rates, and all other costs for this visa type.
Required Documents
- Application for a Certificate of Eligibility (1 copy)
- 1 photo (residence-procedure size, 4 cm high × 3 cm wide)
- Return envelope with address and postage for simple registered mail
- Host institution's brochure, certificate of registered matters and list of foreign employees
- Consent form (available at regional immigration offices)
- Proof of the activity, period, position and pay: copy of the employment contract, letter of appointment or offer letter
- Graduation certificate, employment certificates and CV
Application Process
- 1Confirm the host institution is designated by the Minister of Justice
- 2Sign a contract stating the activity, period, position and pay (and the client site if dispatched)
- 3The institution or an agent applies for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) at a regional immigration office
- 4Apply for the visa at the Japanese embassy or consulate where you live, with the COE
- 5Receive your residence card on arrival; the period of stay is up to 5 years
- 6Spouse, children and qualifying parents apply for Designated Activities to join
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.