Engineer/Humanities Visa Screening Tightened

From April 15, 2026, JLPT N2-level Japanese is required for roles involving language and communication. Employers disqualified under SSW or TITP are also banned from sponsoring this visa.

Naturalization Residency Requirement Doubled to 10 Years

Effective April 1, 2026, continuous residency for Japanese naturalization increased from 5 to 10 years. Tax records for 5 years and social insurance for 2 years are now required.

Student Visa Part-Time Work Monitoring Tightened

From April 2026, Japanese language schools and immigration cooperate to verify students work hours. From July 2026, Japanese ability is also checked at enrollment.

PR Guidelines Revised: 5-Year Visa Required from April 2027

ISA revised PR guidelines on Feb 24, 2026. From April 2027, applicants must generally hold a 5-year residence period stamp. Late payment history counts negatively even if later settled.

Business Manager Visa Requirements Drastically Tightened

Effective Oct 16, 2025. Minimum capital raised from JPY 5M to 30M. The applicant or a full-time employee must have JLPT N2. At least one qualifying full-time employee required. Virtual offices no longer accepted.

7 Administrative Reforms to SSW Program Take Effect

From April 1, 2025, all SSW applications require new prescribed formats. New reporting obligations, municipal cooperation letters, and expanded misconduct grounds for revocation were introduced.

Immigration Application Fees Increased

From April 1, 2025, status change/extension fee rose from JPY 4,000 to 6,000, and the permanent residence fee from JPY 8,000 to 10,000 (on approval).

[Important] Specified Skilled Worker 2 Expanded to All Industries (Mar 2025)

SSW2 visa now covers all 14 industry sectors, allowing unlimited renewals and family sponsorship. The biggest visa policy change since 2024.

Highly Skilled Professional Points System Revised (Jan 2025)

STEM degree bonus points increased, new IT certifications added. Reaching 70 points allows permanent residency application.

Digital Nomad Visa Officially Launched (Nov 2024)

Japan introduced the Digital Nomad Visa, allowing overseas remote workers to stay up to 6 months without a Japanese employer.

SSW1 Sending Country List Expanded (Sep 2024)

Nepal, Myanmar and others added to SSW1 eligible countries; new MOUs signed to simplify application procedures.

Technical Intern Training Abolished: Ikusei Shuro Law Enacted

On June 21, 2024, Japan enacted a law abolishing TITP, to be replaced by the Employment for Skill Development (育成就労) system in April 2027. Workers gain the right to change employers within the same sector.

Permanent Residence Revocation Law Enacted

On June 21, 2024, Japan enacted a law allowing PR revocation for willful non-payment of taxes or social insurance. Takes effect April 2027. Approximately 918,000 PR holders are subject to this provision.

SSW Program Expanded to 16 Sectors with 4 New Industries

A Cabinet resolution on March 29, 2024 added automotive transportation, railways, forestry, and timber industry to SSW Type 1, expanding from 12 to 16 sectors.