Insights & Guides
Practical knowledge on Japan market entry — from company setup and visas to trade logistics and branding.
Does Changing Employers Affect Your J-Skip Visa Status in Japan? (2026 Guide)
Yes, in two distinct ways. First, a general notification obligation under the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act (入管法) requires most work-visa holders, including status-of-residence...
How Does Japan's HSP Visa Change Your Spouse's Work Rights in 2026?
The spouse of a Highly Skilled Professional (高度専門職, HSP) visa holder can apply for a dedicated status of residence that permits employment without the 28-hour weekly cap applied to an ordinary...
Does Japan's Startup Visa Guarantee You a Management Visa in 2026?
No. The Startup Visa (特定活動告示44号, Designated Activities Public Notice No. 44) buys a founder up to two years to build toward the Management Visa (経営・管理) standard; it does not lower or waive that...
What Documents Prove Income Eligibility for Japan's J-Skip Visa? (2026)
Proving J-Skip income eligibility requires a coherent evidence package, typically an employment contract stating salary, corroborating tax or withholding records, and (where the applicant...
How Do You Upgrade from HSP-1 to HSP-2 in Japan? (2026)
HSP-1 holders qualify for HSP-2 after three years on HSP-1, or after just one year if their point score reaches 80 or more (against the 70-point threshold that qualifies for HSP-1 in the first...
Who Can Certify a Business Plan for Japan's Management Visa? (2026)
Only three categories of Japan-licensed professional may certify a Management Visa (経営・管理) business plan: a Certified Public Accountant (公認会計士), a Licensed Tax Accountant (税理士), or a Small and...
How Many Points Do You Need for Japan's HSP Visa? A Worked Example (2026)
You need 70 or more points on the relevant category table to qualify for HSP-1 status under Japan's Highly Skilled Professional visa (高度専門職). Points come from education, professional experience,...
Can Two Foreign Co-Founders Each Hold a Management Visa for the Same Japan Company? (2026)
Yes. More than one foreign national can each hold Management Visa (経営・管理) status in the same Japan company, but only if the entity is genuinely large enough to need that many managers. Immigration...
J-Skip Visa for Families: Spouse Work Rights and Dependent Status in Japan (2026)
J-SKIP is built around the same policy logic as HSP (高度専門職): Japan wants senior global talent to actually relocate, and that only happens if a spouse and children can come too. Family members...
J-Skip Visa Work Scope: Why It Allows More Than a Standard Work Visa (2026)
J-SKIP is issued under the broader Designated Activities (特定活動) status framework, which permits materially wider work scope than the standard Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International...