Skilled Visa Application/Japan Immigration Support for HR

Japan Immigration Support for HR  ＞  Corporate Services  ＞  Skilled Labor Visa Application

The Skilled Labor Visa is granted to foreign nationals engaged in work requiring advanced expertise in specialized fields. Typical examples include chefs specializing in foreign cuisine, carpenters for foreign-style architecture, aircraft pilots, jewelry or fur processing technicians, animal trainers, sports instructors, and wine sommeliers.

The “Skilled Labor” status of residence is strictly limited to the following nine occupational categories defined under Japan’s Immigration Control Act.

No other occupations outside of those listed are eligible for this visa type.

Category	Required Work Experience	Additional Requirements
① Foreign Cuisine Chef / Pastry Chef	10 years or more (5 years or more for Thai cuisine)	Relevant license or qualification, if applicable
② Foreign Architectural Technician	10 years or more	—
③ Petroleum / Geothermal Drilling and Exploration	10 years or more	Limited to subsea drilling, geothermal development, or seabed mineral exploration
④ Jewelry, Precious Metals, and Fur Processing	10 years or more	—
⑤ Animal Training	10 years or more	—
⑥ Wine Sommelier / Appraisal	5 years or more	Sommelier license or equivalent qualification under the Immigration Control Act
⑦ Sports Instructor / Coach	3 years or more	Experience competing in international sporting events
⑧ Aircraft Pilot	At least 250 hours of flight experience	Valid pilot license
⑨ Manufacture / Repair of Foreign-Specific Products	10 years or more	Limited to products unique to a foreign country

Because Skilled Labor Visa holders possess highly specialized expertise, approval or rejection can directly impact a company’s business operations and revenue plans.

Since these skill sets are uncommon, most companies have little experience managing Skilled Labor Visa applications in-house. As a result, HR professionals often turn to immigration specialists for support.

For example, when inviting foreign chefs from overseas (Certificate of Eligibility application), the Immigration Services Agency conducts strict screenings due to the history of forged chef licenses and employment certificates. This can lead to longer processing times than usual.

Even after a Certificate of Eligibility is issued, the Japanese Embassy abroad may conduct an interview to confirm authenticity and prevent unauthorized employment. In some cases, the applicant may still be denied entry despite holding the certificate.

We strongly recommend that HR managers planning to hire under the Skilled Labor Visa consult an immigration specialist as early as possible—ideally once candidate résumés and employment records are prepared.

Category 1: Foreign Cuisine Chef

Details

1. Applies to foreign nationals with advanced culinary or food production skills not commonly found in Japan.

2. Includes chefs specializing in cuisines such as Chinese, French, or Indian, as well as pâtissiers producing items like dim sum, bread, and desserts.

3. Requires at least 10 years of experience, which may include time spent studying at culinary or related institutions abroad.

4. Under the Japan–Thailand EPA, Thai chefs may qualify with 5 years of professional experience, provided certification and recent employment conditions are met.

Category 2: Foreign Architectural Technician

Details

• Refers to architectural or engineering methods not commonly practiced in Japan, such as Gothic, Romanesque, Baroque, Chinese, or Korean styles, or methods like platform framing and direct application of imported stone materials.

• For imported housing construction (e.g., platform framing), requirements include a plan for technical transfer to Japanese staff, and the applicant must be a national or permanent resident of a primary lumber-exporting country (e.g., U.S., Canada, Australia, Sweden, Finland).

• Eligible roles include supervisor, framer, drywaller, or finish carpenter. Routine work easily performed by Japanese workers is excluded.

Category 3: Manufacture or Repair of Foreign-Specific Products

Details

• Examples include European glassware, Persian carpets, and other products not produced in Japan.

• Covers specialized roles such as shoefitters designing orthopedic shoes for medical conditions, requiring knowledge of anatomy and surgery.

Category 4: Processing of Jewelry, Precious Metals, and Furs

Details

Includes both the processing of gemstones or furs into products and the extraction of raw gemstones or furs from natural sources.

Category 5: Animal Training

Details

In some countries, animal training is incorporated into educational programs. Such experience may count toward the 10-year requirement.

Category 6: Petroleum / Geothermal Drilling and Exploration

Details

Geothermal development drilling includes both production wells (for extracting steam for geothermal power generation) and reinjection wells (for returning steam and hot water underground).

Category 7: Aircraft Pilot

Details

• Must hold a certificate qualifying them as captain or co-pilot and meet the 250-hour requirement.

• Recognized certificates include Airline Transport Pilot, Commercial Pilot, or Semi-Regular Air Transport Pilot licenses.

• Pilots contracted by Japanese companies are eligible even if remuneration is paid overseas.

• The role of flight engineer is covered under the “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services” visa category.

Category 8: Sports Instructor / Coach

Details

• Covers both competitive and lifelong sports as defined under the Basic Act on Sports.

• May also apply to holders of internationally recognized certifications (e.g., ISIA card from the International Ski Instructors Association).

• Includes professional athletes who have earned remuneration, including prize money.

• International competitions include continental-level events such as the Asian Games and sport-specific tournaments like the AFC Asian Cup.

• Coaches or managers traveling with professional teams for competitions may instead require the “Entertainer” visa status.

Qigong Instruction

Qigong as physical training (movement and breathing exercises) qualifies as “sports instruction” for this visa. However, Qigong as medical treatment is not eligible.

Category 9: Wine Sommelier / Appraisal

Details

• Applicants must demonstrate proficiency across wine appraisal, evaluation, preservation, and service, though actual duties may cover only part of these activities.

• A sommelier’s responsibilities extend beyond tasting to include wine selection, procurement, storage, sales, and management. The host company must operate food and beverage services.

• Restaurants employing sommeliers must also employ dedicated staff for dishwashing, waiting, and accounting.

• The “World’s Best Sommelier Contest” organized by the Association de la Sommellerie Internationale qualifies as an approved competition.

• “Outstanding results” generally means achieving a top-tier ranking in such competitions.

5-Year Period of Stay

Applicants who meet conditions ①, ②, and ⑤, and either ③ or ④ below:

3-Year Period of Stay

Applicable to applicants who meet any of the following:

1-Year Period of Stay

Applicable to applicants who meet any of the following:

3-Month Period of Stay

Applicable when the intended period of stay is 3 months or less.

1. Certificate of Eligibility (COE) – Inviting Talent from Overseas

2. Extension of Period of Stay for Skilled Labor Visa

1. Inviting Talent from Overseas (COE Application)

When hiring from abroad, the first step is to obtain a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) in Japan, followed by the visa application at a Japanese embassy or consulate in the candidate’s home country.

The COE must be applied for in Japan by the host company, a relative residing in Japan, or a licensed administrative scrivener, and submitted to the immigration office with jurisdiction over the applicant’s intended place of residence or the employer’s location.

Once issued, the COE is sent to the candidate overseas, who then applies for the visa at the Japanese embassy or consulate. This usually shortens the processing time for visa issuance.

Typical timelines: COE issuance takes approximately 1–3 months, while visa issuance at the embassy takes about 1 week.

* An interview may be required at the embassy, and visa issuance is not guaranteed.

** A COE is valid for 90 days from issuance; entry must occur within this period.

2. Mid-Career Hiring (Certificate of Authorized Employment)

If the candidate already holds a valid Skilled Labor Visa when changing jobs, no immediate reapplication is required until renewal (though employer change notification is mandatory).

However, many companies request a Certificate of Authorized Employment at the time of hiring. This certificate, issued by Immigration, confirms the validity of the foreign employee’s visa status for their new role, reducing employer risk and supporting smoother future renewals.

1. Service Overview

Our services are designed to secure the “Skilled Labor” status of residence from the Immigration Services Agency of Japan.

We focus on maximizing approval rates and ensuring a smooth, predictable process for HR teams managing Skilled Labor Visa applications.

We support both:

Since 1986, ACROSEED’s team of specialists has delivered comprehensive support that saves HR and administrative departments significant time, cost, and effort.

Share your hiring plans with us, and our consultants will recommend tailored solutions that fit your company’s needs.

2. Scope of Services

1. Advice on Employment Start Dates

2. Guidance for Selected Candidates

(Managing departure schedules, advising on required documents, and coordinating candidate timelines)

3. Visa Application Procedures

(Document review, application preparation, proxy submission, receipt of results, and entry clearance)

4. International EMS Dispatch

(For overseas hires, we send the COE directly to the candidate abroad once received from Immigration)

5. Post-Application Support

(Monitoring case status, liaising with immigration officers, and submitting supplementary documents as required)

We also offer integrated packages combining HR-focused services and employee welfare support for foreign staff, customized to your organization’s needs. Quotes and proposals are free of charge—please contact us to learn more.

3.Why Choose ACROSEED

• Established in 1986, with an industry-leading record of over 40,000 visa applications
• Trusted by more than 1,000 corporate clients
• No travel expenses – nationwide service at a flat rate
• Services available in English and Chinese
• ISO 27001 certified – ensuring strict compliance

40,000 Visa Applications Since 1986 – One of Japan’s Most Experienced Providers

ACROSEED has specialized in immigration services since 1990, when legal reforms allowed administrative scriveners to handle immigration procedures. As of March 2025, we have processed over 40,000 visa applications.

We currently handle 3,000–4,000 visa cases annually, with immigration visits twice a week to stay current on screening trends and regulation changes.

By choosing ACROSEED, you benefit from the most up-to-date insights and extensive hands-on experience in the industry.

Our Track Record

ACROSEED’s track record in corporate services, publications, media coverage, and seminars

Trusted by Over 1,000 Corporate Clients

ACROSEED’s dedicated corporate team handles all visa-related and licensing procedures associated with foreign employee hiring.

We offer two distinct service types:

We customize our support based on your company’s structure, challenges, and employment needs, referencing real-world examples.

Our services are trusted by a wide range of clients, from publicly listed corporations to small and mid-sized businesses.

Case Studies

We present case studies of companies that actively promote the employment of foreign nationals by utilizing ACROSEED’s services.

Nationwide Flat-Rate Service with No Travel Costs

Our office is based in Nagatacho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, but we serve immigration offices across Japan with no additional travel costs.

We also offer online consultations via Zoom or Skype, allowing face-to-face communication from any location.

English and Chinese Language Support

Our bilingual staff can communicate directly with foreign employees in English or Chinese.

We assist with application explanations, status tracking, and employee coordination — reducing the burden on HR teams and improving the applicant experience.

ISO 27001 Certified for Information Security Compliance

ISO 27001 is the international standard for information security management (ISMS).

ACROSEED was an early adopter of this certification in our field, demonstrating our commitment to secure and compliant client service.

This gives even highly regulated, publicly listed companies the confidence to trust us as their immigration partner.

4. Skilled Labor Visa Application Fees (Excl. Tax)

・Final fees depend on the scope of services, number of applications, and individual case details. We provide detailed proposals and quotations free of charge—please contact us for more information.

・Our services are offered nationwide at the rates listed below, with no additional fees for clients outside the Tokyo area.

Certificate of Eligibility Application (Inviting from Overseas)	Approx. ¥100,000
Extension of Period of Stay (No Job Change)	Approx. ¥80,000
Extension of Period of Stay (With Job Change)	Approx. ¥100,000

If you are considering ongoing outsourcing of visa management, please see the following page:

Outsourcing Visa Applications and Residency Management

From recruitment through offboarding, ACROSEED provides HR teams with expert support on foreign employment issues, tailoring solutions to address your company’s specific challenges.

View Our Track Record
Why Leading Corporations Trust ACROSEED
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