Designated Activities Visa Application/Japan Immigration Support for HR

Japan Immigration Support for HR ＞ Corporate Services ＞ Designated Activities Visa Application

The “Designated Activities” residence status is a flexible category covering a wide range of cases authorized by the Minister of Justice. Even when two individuals hold the same “Designated Activities” status, their permitted activities and requirements can differ significantly. Examples include:

・Designated research activities
・Designated information processing activities
・Dependent activities for those engaged in designated research or information processing
・Specially authorized activities designated individually by the Minister of Justice

・Domestic workers for diplomats
・Domestic workers for holders of “Business Manager” status
・Staff of the Association of East Asian Relations and dependents
・Staff of the General Representative Office of Palestine in Japan and dependents
・Working Holiday participants
・Amateur athletes
・Foreign lawyers in international arbitration
・Internships
・British volunteers
・Short-term summer jobs
・International cultural exchange

In addition, there are non-standard “Designated Activities” visas granted under special approval by the Minister of Justice, including special landing permission, change of status, or special stay permission. These cases require individualized handling.

For companies, the most common use cases are: Working Holiday, Internship, and Domestic Workers (maids).

Following a Ministry of Justice notice revision on May 30, 2019, foreign students meeting certain requirements became eligible to obtain a Designated Activities Visa to work in general service industries (restaurants, retail, hotels, convenience stores, manufacturing). For details, please see the page below:

Employment of Foreign Students with a Designated Activities Visa

Foreign students can now legally work in service and manufacturing industries under this status.

1. Working Holiday

Japan currently has Working Holiday agreements with 11 countries: Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South Korea, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Denmark, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. The residence status is “Designated Activities.” Employment in adult entertainment and related industries is strictly prohibited.

Main Requirements

General Requirements (All Countries)	Primary purpose: temporary holiday stay in Japan Valid passport and return ticket (or funds to purchase one) Sufficient funds for initial living expenses in Japan Good health
Australia Visa: 1 year Stay: 6 months	Australian citizen residing in Australia Aged 18–25 (up to 30 if extended under bilateral agreement) Not accompanied by children

2. Internship

An internship is when a foreign university student (*1), as part of their academic program, engages in work at a Japanese public or private institution under an agreement with their university. The maximum duration is one year and must not exceed half of the program’s total period. Remunerated internships require a Designated Activities Visa.

(*1) Student must be enrolled in a degree-granting institution (excluding distance learning programs).

Overview

If no remuneration is paid, the applicable status is “Cultural Activities” for stays over 90 days or “Temporary Visitor” for stays up to 90 days.

Remuneration refers to monetary payment for work performed, typically calculated on a per-day basis. The amount is unrestricted but must be reported appropriately.

3. Domestic Workers / Maids

Foreign executives or managers in Japan under “Business Manager” status may bring a domestic worker under the “Designated Activities” category. This is common when a senior executive is transferred from a global HQ and seeks to employ the same domestic worker in Japan.

Requirements (when invited by a Business Manager)

1. The worker must be at least 18 years old.
2. Monthly salary must be at least JPY 150,000.
3. The employer must have a child under 13, or a spouse unable to manage household duties due to illness or other reasons.

1. Certificate of Eligibility (When inviting from overseas)

The process for applying for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) with the Immigration Services Agency is as follows:

2. Change of Status of Residence

For candidates already residing in Japan under another visa, the Change of Status application process is:

3. Extension of Period of Stay

When extending a Designated Activities Visa, the process is as follows:

• 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.

・The exact fee will vary depending on the requested service, scope of work, and application details. We are happy to provide detailed information and a free estimate upon request.

＊ACROSEED’s services are available nationwide.

Application for Certificate of Eligibility (Invitation from Overseas)	Around 120,000 yen
Application for Change of Status of Residence	Around 120,000 yen
Application for Extension of Period of Stay	Around 80,000 yen

If you are considering ongoing outsourcing, please also refer to the page below for discounted rates.

Outsource Visa Applications and Residence Status Management

From hiring to resignation, ACROSEED provides strong support to HR managers, backed by our extensive expertise in all matters related to employing foreign nationals. We will customize our services to address the specific challenges your company faces.