Japan Intern Visa

Background

International internships have been gaining in popularity over the past decade. Japan is a particularly popular destination both due to the cultural uniqueness of the experience offered and due to the larger role Asia is playing in the world economy.

Organizations Offering Japan Internships

Several organizations have been established to facilitate these foreign internships in Japan. This includes organizations such as JapanInterns.com. Semester abroad programs at Temple University Japan (TUJ) will often include internships see https://www.tuj.ac.jp/ and specifically for law students https://www.tuj.ac.jp/law.

An internship in Japan often raises the question of what visa arrangements need to be made for foreign interns coming to Japan.

There are basically two options for foreign interns in Japan:

1. Japan Visa Waiver

The Japan Visa Waiver Program allows entry to Japan by individuals who hold the passport of a country with which Japan has a visa waiver arrangement. At the time of writing, Japan has approximately 68 such arrangements in place. An up-to-date list of Visa Waiver countries can be found on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website:

<<https://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/short/novisa.html#notice06>>

Typically, a stay of up to 90 days is permitted. However, note that the permitted period of stay may be shorter (eg, 15 days in the case of Thailand, Brunei) or longer (six months in the case of Germany, Ireland, and Switzerland.)

Note that when an intern enters Japan under Visa Waiver, no compensation can be received, i.e., the internship must be unpaid.

2. Japan Designated Activities Visa

The Japan Designated Activities Visa something of a catch-all visa and would be appropriate if:

i. The Japan internship is compensated, and / or

ii. If the Japan internship will be for a period longer than the period permitted under Visa Waiver (typically this would mean longer than 90 days.)

With respect to Japan internships, the Japan Designated Activities Visa has two main categories (technically there are three categories but one is for public organizations and won’t be discussed here.)

• Japan Intern Visa

The Japan Intern Visa allows students to stay in Japan for up to one year and allows the Japan intern to receive compensation.

In order to qualify for the Japan Intern visa, an internship agreement must be in place between a company in Japan and a university outside Japan. The internship must be a part of an academic course and the Japan intern must receive credit upon the completion of the Japan internship program.

• Japan Summer Job Visa

The Japan Summer Job Visa allows students to stay in Japan for up to three months and allows the Japan intern to receive compensation.

In order to qualify for the Japan Summer Job Visa an agreement must be in place between a company in Japan and a university outside Japan.

The summer job program is only available during the long summer break (i.e., July / August for schools in the northern hemisphere.)

Contact JAPAN VISA™ to learn how we can assist you to obtain a Japan Intern Visa.