Japan•Asia2-4 months
20,500 JPY
3 years for nurses, 4 years for care workers
Yes
Required
Allowed
No
Not Required
This visa is designed for candidate nurses and care workers from partner countries (Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam) to work and train in Japan under a bilateral Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA). The goal is to enable candidates to obtain Japanese national licenses (Kangoshi for nurses or Kaigofukushishi for care workers) while working under supervision.
The Designated Activities (EPA) visa lets nurse and care worker candidates from Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam work and train in Japan under bilateral Economic Partnership Agreements. Candidates must be matched to a hospital or care facility via JICWELS and hold a qualifying nursing or care credential.
Nurses receive up to 3 years of residence; care workers up to 4 years. The visa is renewable until the national exam is passed. Dependents are not permitted during training. Language proficiency is required: JLPT N4 for Indonesian and Filipino candidates, N3 for Vietnamese.
This visa is ideal for Indonesian, Filipino, or Vietnamese healthcare workers who have been officially nominated by their home government and matched with a Japanese facility through JICWELS.
Single-entry visa | 3,000 JPY |
Multiple-entry visa | 6,000 JPY |
Change of Status (In-person) | 6,000 JPY |
Change of Status (Online) | 5,500 JPY |
Approx 300 care worker candidates per country
Indonesia
Philippines
VietnamCitizen of Indonesia, the Philippines, or Vietnam
Accepted through the official bilateral EPA framework
Matched with a Japanese hospital or care facility via JICWELS
Meet specific educational and professional thresholds (nursing degree/license + work experience)
Job Offer
Required
Education
Associate degree or Bachelor's degree (3-year or 4-year nursing/care program or university degree depending on country and track) or higher
Passport and Visa Application Form
One photograph (4cm x 3cm)
Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
Employment contract
Recommendation letter from home country government
Academic transcripts and professional licenses
| Visa Application Form Visa Application Form (General) | Fill online |
| COE Application Form Application for Certificate of Eligibility | Fill online |
| Application Steps | Apply to sending agency in home country; Complete pre-departure training; Match with host institutio… | moj.go.jp |
| Dependent Visa | Not allowed during training; eligible for 'Designated Activities (Dependent of EPA)' only after pass… | moj.go.jp |
| Fee Breakdown | Single-entry visa: 3000 JPY; Multiple-entry visa: 6000 JPY; Change of Status (In-person): 6000 JPY; … | mofa.go.jp |
| Fees | ¥3,000 to ¥6,000 | mofa.go.jp |
| Forms | Visa Application Form (MOFA); COE Application Form (ISA) | moj.go.jp |
| Forms · COE Application Form · description | Application for Certificate of Eligibility | moj.go.jp |
| Forms · Visa Application Form · description | Visa Application Form (General) | mofa.go.jp |
| Included Nationalities | ID; PH; VN | mofa.go.jp |
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