Does my spouse get to work in Japan?

Spouses hold a 'Dependent' visa. By default, they cannot work. However, they can explicitly apply for 'Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted,' allowing them to work part-time up to 28 hours per week.

Can I permanently live in Japan?

Yes. While this visa is issued for periods of 1, 3, or 5 years at a time, it is infinitely renewable as long as you remain employed. After 10 consecutive years of living in Japan on this visa, you become eligible to apply for Permanent Residency.

Do I need to speak fluent Japanese (JLPT)?

Immigration does not mandate a specific Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) level for this visa category. The language requirement is dictated entirely by your employer's daily business needs.

Can I switch jobs once I'm in Japan?

Yes. This visa is tied to the *category* of work, not the specific employer. You can change jobs to another company within the same occupational scope. You must notify Immigration within 14 days of changing employers.

Japan

Standard Work Visa

Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services

JPY 3,000

Application Fee

30–90 days

Processing Time

60 Months

Maximum Stay

Up to 999x

Extensions

Frequently Asked Questions

Apply on the official government website

Last verified: 14 April 2026. Not legal advice.

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