Exclusive Webinar - Paying global teams: Strategic compensation and compliant payroll

Save your spot

Speed up your global expansion! Expand smartly in 150+ countries with the #1 rated EOR globally.

Explore Multiplier EOR

Book a demo

loading-animtion.gif

Japan Visa Guide

Grow your team in Japan
loading-animtion.gif

Introduction

In order to employ a foreign national in Japan, an organization must obtain an official visa and work permit for the candidate. This requires formal employment by a  and navigating through a detailed immigration process. To simplify this, Multiplier offers comprehensive assistance to companies for visas and work permits.

Visa Issuance Time*: 

Visa issuance is *Initiated after all documents are correctly submitted by the employee. The timeline is dependent on immigration authorities and is based on our case experiences.

  • Work VISA -1-3 months

Visa Feasibility Check

  • Multiplier will conduct a feasibility check to evaluate if the employee is eligible to apply for a visa in Japan.
  • In order to conduct the check, a basic set of documents are requested from the employee:
    1. Passport (front and back)
    2. Current location of employee 
    3. CV of employee
    4. Job Title/Designation/Salary 
    5. Residence card (if any)
    6. Education degree (bachelor’s or higher)
    7. Questionnaire for Certificate of Eligibility*
    8. Passport photo (for application)
  • Once the desired information is shared, our team will confirm the VISA feasibility for the respective employee within 3-4 working days

Stages and Timelines

Visa Stages 

Steps and Timeline

Visa Eligibility Check

  • Employee submits the full set of requested documents  which are then verified for visa eligibility
  • A kickoff call with a Multiplier Visa Specialist is scheduled

3-4 days once the required documents are duly shared with correct details

Invoicing &

Employment Contract

  • A visa and deposit invoice is sent to the client post consultation with the CSM
  • The draft employment contract is shared for client’s approval, once it’s approved and the visa invoice paid, it is sent to the employee for signature

COE Application

  • Eligibility – a foreign member that meets all visa requirements (a degree and/or a certain number of years of work experience)
  • Prepare documents needed for the Certificate of Eligibility (both employee and Multiplier)
  • Apply for the Certificate of Eligibility at the Immigration Office

The processing takes approximately 1-3 months for COE Application approval

Visa Application

  • Receive the Certificate of Eligibility and send scanned copy of COE to the employee
  • Member submits the Certificate of Eligibility along with other documents to their local Japanese embassy/consulate. Sample information: https://www.uk.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/index_000076.html
  • Member receives the initial visa on their passport
  • The member must enter Japan within 3 months of issuing visa

5-10 days for Visa application approval

Residence Card &

Work Visa

  • Prepare documents needed for the visa status change (both employee and Multiplier)
  • Apply at the Immigration Office local to the employee
  • Member receives their new residence card + visa status and can start working
  • If the member is applying for a visa for the first time and is outside the country, then they will receive the residence card at the port of entry

3-5 days after submitting details at the Immigration Office

Onboarding & Verification

  • Employee is required to submit personal bank information and visa documents on Multiplier platform
  • If all is in order and deposit has been paid, the employee is activated for payroll
  • Activation cutoff for same month payroll is the 10th

1-2 days after submitting details on Multiplier platform


Detailed Process Overview

Step 1 – Visa Initiation by the client

Initiate a visa request during onboarding. The process will commence after basic details are confirmed. 

Step 2 – Document Submission

The employee will receive an email from us. They must sign up and upload eligibility documents. 

Step 3 – Kick off Meeting

A Visa Specialist will guide the employee through the visa process, timelines, information required and align on expected relocation date.

Step 4 – Offer Letter Creation

The offer letter is created by the Visa team with the expected start date and is shared with the company for review.

Step 5 – Employee Signature

Once the letter is reviewed and the visa fee invoice is paid, the offer letter will further be shared with the employee for signature.

Step 6 – Visa & Work Permit

Once the employee signs the contract, Multiplier files the visa & work permit application.

Step 7 – Onboarding Details

Once the visa is issued, the employee will be requested to upload additional details such as bank details,  and work permit details to continue the onboarding process.

Step 8 – Employee Activation

Next, the details are verified and onboarding will be complete and the employee will be activated on Multiplier. 

Visa Process for the Employee

  • Documents collection & review: Eligibility documents are collected from the employee 
  • Kick-off Meeting: Kick off meeting between is held with the employee 
  • Employment Contract: Offer letter is shared with the employee once the letter is approved by the company and the visa fee is paid
  • COE Application: The Certificate of Eligibility application is filed at the Immigration Office.
  • Visa Application: Member submits the Certificate of Eligibility along with other documents to their local Japanese embassy.

  • Residence Card & Work Visa: Member receives their new residence card and visa status is changed.

Visa Application Process Updates 

Both you and the employee will receive regular notifications from our visa team regarding the progress and latest updates in the visa application process. 

Kick – Off Meeting

The objective of this meeting is to offer clarity on the various milestones encompassing the entire visa process, along with associated timelines and the documents/information required. It’s important to note that milestones and timelines might differ between countries due to variations in embassy requirements and provided guidelines.

Bi-Weekly Email Updates 

The objective is to provide clarity and transparency regarding the status of visa processing.

An email will be sent on a bi-weekly basis to the employee and employer containing the current status and outlining the next steps.

Monthly Updates 

Meeting will be scheduled by the Visa Specialist to inform the employee of the current status and upcoming steps.

Onboard, pay and manage anyone in the world

Multiplier Dashboard