Jobs in Japan With Visa Sponsorship For Foreigners

Jobs in Japan with visa sponsorship for foreigners offer competitive salaries and benefits across various sectors. Positions are available in education, technology, and other industries, with salary ranges varying based on the role and experience. For example, teaching positions may offer monthly salaries ranging from ¥250,000 to ¥350,000, while roles in technology and management can offer higher compensation.

Employers typically provide visa sponsorship, assisting with the application process and ensuring compliance with Japanese labor laws. In addition to salary, many employers offer benefits such as housing allowances, health insurance, and paid holidays.

To qualify, candidates should have relevant qualifications and experience, and proficiency in the Japanese language may be required for certain roles. For more information on available positions and application procedures, visit platforms like GaijinPot Jobs.

Why Japan Is Hiring Foreign Workers

Japan faces a declining population, an aging workforce, and increasing global business expansion, which has created long-term demand for international talent. To address this, the Japanese government has expanded foreign hiring under clearly defined work visa (Status of Residence) categories.

Key reasons for foreign hiring:

• Labor shortages in IT, healthcare, and education
• Expansion of global-facing companies
• English used as a working language in many firms
• Government-supported visa sponsorship frameworks

In practice: Japan does not issue “general work visas.” Every foreign worker must fit into a specific visa category tied to a real job offer.

Salary Expectations in Japan

Salaries depend on job type, experience, and location (Tokyo, Osaka, Yokohama, Fukuoka).

Many employers also provide:

• Housing allowance
• National health insurance
• Paid annual leave
• Transportation reimbursement

Work Visa Categories Eligible for Foreigners in Japan

Japan officially recognizes 13 types of work visas, each linked to a specific profession. You must qualify under one exact category.

1. Engineer / Humanities / International Services (Most Common Visa)

This is the highest-demand visa category for foreigners.

Eligible Jobs:

• Software Engineers & Programmers
• IT Specialists & System Analysts
• Marketing & Business Analysts
• Web & Graphic Designers
• Translators & Interpreters
• International Sales Professionals

Why it matters:
Over 60% of foreign professionals in Japan fall under this visa.

2. Instructor Visa

Examples:

• English teachers in public schools
• ALT positions via JET Programme or dispatch companies
• Private language schools

Used mainly in elementary, junior high, and high schools.

3. Professor Visa

Examples:

• University lecturers
• Assistant professors
• Academic researchers

Must be hired by accredited institutions.

4. Researcher Visa

Examples:

• Scientific researchers
• Government or corporate research staff
• Laboratory investigators

5. Business Manager Visa

Examples:

• Company directors
• Startup founders
• Branch office managers

Important: Requires:

• Office space in Japan
• Business plan
• Investment capital

6. Legal/Accounting Services Visa

Examples:

• Lawyers
• Tax accountants
• Judicial scriveners

⚠️ Must hold Japanese certification.

7. Medical Services Visa

Examples:

• Doctors
• Dentists
• Pharmacists
• Licensed nurses

Japanese medical licensing is mandatory.

8. Nursing Care Visa

Examples:

• Certified care workers
• Elderly care staff

Requirement:

• Formal training
• Passing the Japanese National Care Worker Exam

9. Performer Visa

Examples:

• Musicians
• Actors
• Dancers
• Models
• Athletes

10. Artist Visa

Examples:

• Painters
• Sculptors
• Composers
• Photographers

Must prove professional artistic income.

11. Religious Activities Visa

Examples:

• Missionaries
• Priests
• Religious teachers

Sponsored by recognized religious organizations.

12. Journalist Visa

Examples:

• Reporters
• Editors
• Cameramen

Sponsored by recognized media outlets.

13. Intra-Company Transferee Visa

Examples:

• Employees transferred from overseas branches

Condition:

• Minimum 1 year employment at parent company.

Common Requirements for Visa-Sponsored Jobs in Japan

Educational Background

• Bachelor’s degree (most roles)
• Diplomas accepted for some technical fields

Work Experience

• 1–3 years (general roles)
• 5+ years (senior or technical positions)

Certifications

• Industry-recognized certificates
• Professional licenses (where applicable)

Japanese Language Skills

Language tip: Better Japanese significantly improves job stability and promotion chances.

Companies in Japan That Sponsor Work Visas

Well-known visa-sponsoring employers include:

• Money Forward
• Ubie
• LeapMind
• NABLA Mobility
• Japan Computer Vision
• WealthPark
• Dely
• Porters
• Tokyo-based tech startups
• International language schools

Step-by-Step: How to Get a Work Visa for Japan

Step 1: Secure a Job Offer

You cannot apply independently without a sponsoring employer.

Step 2: Choose the Correct Visa Category

Your job title and duties must match immigration rules exactly.

Step 3: Employer Applies for Certificate of Eligibility (CoE)

• Issued by Japan Immigration
• Processing time: 1–3 months

Step 4: Apply at Japanese Embassy

Submit:

• CoE
• Passport
• Visa application
• Photo

Visa processing: 5–10 working days

Step 5: Enter Japan & Start Work

Your residence card is issued upon arrival.

Website to Find Jobs in Japan

If you’re a foreigner seeking jobs in Japan that can sponsor your visa, it’s important to use the correct websites that focus on hiring people from other countries. These are some of the most trustworthy websites where employers often make it clear that they will sponsor visas.

1. GaijinPot Jobs

• One of the most popular employment forums for Japanese people who want to work in other countries.
• Offers positions in education, IT, hospitality, engineering, and other fields that come with a visa.
• Clearly marks jobs that come with visa sponsorship.

2. Jobs in Japan

• For foreigners who are already in Japan or are not.
• You can filter by visa sponsorship, Japanese language requirements, and employment type.

3. Daijob

• A website for multilingual job seekers (in English and Japanese).
• Often has jobs in business, tech, and engineering that come with a visa.

4. CareerCross

• Aims at bilinguals and professionals from other countries.
• Provides job ads in the fields of law, IT, finance, consulting, sales, and marketing.
• A lot of postings offer help with moving and visa sponsorship.

5. LinkedIn Jobs – Japan

• Use keywords like “international applicants” or “visa sponsorship” to search.
• A lot of international companies in Japan post employment here.

6. TokyoDev

• Concentrated on tech experts and developers from other countries.
• All of the positions are in English, and a lot of them offer visa sponsorship.

7. Japan Dev

• Focuses on IT and developer employment in Japan.
• All of the companies on this list help with moving and getting a visa.

8. O-Hayo Sensei

• A place to find English teaching jobs in Japan.
• Every two weeks, it gets new information.
• A lot of listings talk about visa sponsorship or renewal.

9. Interac Network

• A big employer of Assistant Language Teachers (ALTs).
• Fully sponsors visas for qualified individuals.

10. JET Programme

• A program that the government pays for that puts foreigners in schools as Assistant Language Teachers.
• Provides training, housing help, and visa sponsorship.

Conclusion:

One of the best things you can do for your career is to work in Japan with a visa. Japan has a stable, lucrative job market for foreigners in many fields. The country has a diverse economy, a strong respect for professionalism, and a growing need for global talent.

Japan provides a special visa category for each occupation, whether you’re an engineer, teacher, caregiver, or artist. The most important thing is to get a work offer from a company that will sponsor you, get the necessary papers, and follow the visa process step by step.

You can make a living and a life in one of the safest and most intriguing countries in the world, from high-paying IT jobs to culturally rich teaching jobs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most in-demand visa-sponsored jobs IT Engineers & Developers

• English Teachers (ALT/Instructor roles)
• Marketing & Sales Specialists
• Nursing & Caregivers
• Chefs and Hospitality Staff
• Researchers & Professors

Do I need to know Japanese to work in Japan?

It depends on what you do. Some jobs, such as those in engineering and education, don’t need much Japanese, but most jobs want JLPT N2 or higher. In the hospitality, caregiving, and customer service fields, you typically need to be able to speak fluently.