Temporary visitors' visas for periods of 90, 30, and 15 days as well as transit visas for periods of three or 15 days are necessary for travelers interested in activities such as sightseeing, visiting relatives or attending or participating in an event. As of April 2010, nationals of 61 different countries are exempt from requiring these visas for periods of three months or 90 days or less. United States citizens do not need either visa for a stay of 90 days or less. Citizens of some of the European Union nations, including the United Kingdom and Germany, are exempt from either visa for stays of six months or less. See References for a complete list.
General visas for longer stays in Japan--during which time a Japanese company will not employ you--are required for everyone. There are five different kinds of general visas. A cultural activities visa is for anyone pursuing artistic or academic activities that provide no income or no college credit, including acquiring skills in Japanese culture or arts such as ikebana or judo from an expert for a period of either six months or one year. College student and pre-college student visas are for those attending classes at a college or equivalent educational institution and high school respectively for a period of six months or one or two years. Applicants for these educational visas must also prove the conditions with which they can pay for their living expenses while there. Trainee visas are for those coming to Japan to acquire knowledge, skills or technology from a private or public organization for a period of either six months or a year. A dependent visa is for the unemployed spouse and child of someone who already resides or will live in Japan for work, with the exception of a diplomat or official.
Working visas are granted for the period of one or three years to travelers who will be employed doing the following kinds of work: artist, engineer, instructor, intracompany transferee, investor/business manager, legal/accounting services, medical services, professor, religious activities, researcher, skilled industrial labor and specialist in humanities/international services. Entertainers working visas are for periods of three or six months or one year. Diplomats or those engaged in official business of foreign governments or international organizations recognized by the government of Japan are granted working visas for the duration of their mission. Foreign attorneys or any other court-related personnel traveling to Japan to take a deposition must acquire a special deposition visa. An offer letter or official documentation of the work to be done must be submitted with all other required documentation. Upon issuance of any kind of general visa, the traveler must enter Japan within 3 months. Visa applications should specify whether the traveler needs a single-entry, double-entry or multiple-entry visa.
Any traveler working illegally without a work visa is subject to arrest and deportation. Immigration officers can deny entry to anyone they suspect is working without a work visa. For example, they take special note of travelers who can enter without a visa as a tourist who leave shortly before the limit of their stay, leave for a nearby area for a few days and return to re-enter Japan for another 90 days.
