Japan Immigration Update 2026: Changes to Work Visa Applications and Permanent Residence Rules

In February 2026, the Immigration Services Agency of Japan updated several policies related to work visa applications and permanent residence.

These updates affect foreign nationals who:

• work in Japan under professional visa categories

• are transferred to Japan from overseas offices

• are planning to apply for permanent residence in Japan

This article summarizes the key points foreign residents and future applicants should understand.

Dispatched Work Under the Engineer / Specialist / International Services Visa

Foreign nationals with the status of residence Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services may work under a dispatch-style employment arrangement in certain circumstances.

In this arrangement, the worker is:

• employed by one company

• but performs work at another company’s workplace.

Immigration authorities examine several elements when reviewing these cases.

The job must require specialized knowledge

The visa category is intended for work requiring professional or technical expertise.

Examples include:

• IT engineering

• international business operations

• marketing

• translation or interpretation

• design or accounting

Jobs consisting mainly of simple labor tasks generally do not qualify.

Employment contracts must be clear

The employment relationship must be clearly documented, including:

• job description

• salary

• contract period

• employment conditions

Immigration authorities may also review the agreement between:

• the dispatching company

• the receiving company.

These documents help confirm that the employment structure is legitimate.

Clarified Documentation for Intra-company Transferee Visa

The Intra-company Transferee status allows employees of overseas companies to transfer to a Japanese office of the same company group.

Immigration authorities clarified the documentation required for these applications.

Proof of transfer

Applicants must submit documents such as:

• transfer orders

• appointment letters

• employment condition notices

These documents should clearly show:

• job duties

• position

• salary

• transfer period.

Proof of the relationship between companies

Applicants must demonstrate the relationship between the overseas company and the Japanese entity.

Examples include documents showing:

• corporate registration

• capital relationships

• ownership structure.

Proof that the overseas company exists

Immigration may request documents such as:

• company registration certificates

• business records

• transaction documents

• promotional materials.

Applicant’s employment history

Applicants must generally show that they worked for the overseas company for at least one year prior to the transfer.

Typical supporting documents include:

• employment certificates

• resumes.

Information about the Japanese company

Immigration may also review materials about the host company in Japan, such as:

• company profiles

• organizational charts

• business descriptions

• financial statements

• office information.

These materials help confirm that the Japanese entity is a legitimate operating business.

Clarifications Regarding Work Visa Eligibility

Immigration also updated official guidance on frequently asked questions regarding work visa applications.

Several important points are often misunderstood.

Work must involve specialized skills

Professional visa categories are intended for work that requires:

• technical expertise

• academic knowledge

• international business skills.

Examples include:

• engineers

• translators

• international marketing staff

• designers

• accountants.

Jobs consisting mainly of manual labor generally do not qualify.

Education should relate to the job

The applicant’s academic background should be related to the job duties.

Examples include:

✔ economics degree → international trade work
✔ computer science degree → IT engineering.

If the degree is unrelated to the job, immigration may question the eligibility.

Work experience requirements

Applicants without a university degree may qualify based on professional experience.

Typical requirements include:

• 10 years of relevant work experience

For international services work:

• 3 years of experience.

Employment type

Full-time employment is not always required.

However, immigration will examine:

• job stability

• continuity of employment

• salary level.

The salary must be equal to or higher than that of a Japanese worker performing comparable work.

Permanent Residence Guidelines Revised in 2026

Japan also revised its Permanent Residence Guidelines.

To obtain permanent residence, applicants must generally satisfy three basic conditions.

1. Good conduct

Applicants must comply with Japanese laws and maintain socially responsible behavior. 

2. Financial stability

Applicants must have sufficient assets or skills to support themselves without relying on public assistance. 

3. The applicant’s residence must benefit Japan

Several factors are considered.

Continuous residence

Applicants must generally have lived in Japan for 10 years or more, including at least 5 years under work or residence status.

Criminal record

Applicants should not have received criminal penalties such as imprisonment or fines. 

Public obligations

Applicants must properly fulfill obligations such as:

• paying taxes

• paying pension contributions

• paying health insurance premiums

• submitting required immigration notifications. 

Even if payments are eventually completed, late payments may negatively affect evaluation.

Important Change: End of the Transitional Rule for the “3-Year” Status of Residence

One of the most important practical points in the revised guidelines concerns the requirement related to the length of the current period of stay.

In principle, applicants must hold the longest permitted period of stay for their current status of residence when applying for permanent residence. 

However, the guidelines include a transitional rule.

Transitional handling until March 31, 2027

Until March 31, 2027, a foreign national holding a 3-year period of stay is treated as meeting the requirement of holding the longest period of stay.

Special handling for those holding a 3-year visa on that date

If a person still holds a 3-year period of stay on March 31, 2027, immigration will treat that period as meeting the “longest period of stay” requirement for the first decision made during that remaining period of stay. 

Practical implication

This means the current transitional treatment has a clear end point.

After this transitional period, applicants will generally be expected to hold the actual longest period of stay under their status of residence when applying for permanent residence. 

Final Advice for Foreign Residents in Japan

If you are working in Japan or planning to apply for permanent residence, it is important to ensure that:

• your job qualifies as specialized professional work

• your employment structure is clearly documented

• your tax and social insurance obligations are properly fulfilled.

Immigration requirements can change, and each case depends on individual circumstances.

Confirming the latest requirements before applying can help avoid unnecessary complications.

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