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Medical Services Visa

Work PR PathwayThis visa can lead to permanent residency, the right to live and work here indefinitely without renewing your visa. Dependents Allowed

At a Glance

Processing Time

1-3 months

Application Fee

3,000 JPY

Stay Duration

5 years, 3 years, 1 year, or 3 months

Renewable

Yes

Job Offer

Required

Dependents

Allowed

PR Pathway

Available

Remote Work

Not Required

Apply Now Official Information

Living in Japan

Cost of Living

25% cheaper than United States

Avg Salary¥4,800,000

Quality of Life

161/200

Full Country Guide

Overview

Work visa for qualified healthcare professionals. For doctors, nurses, dentists, pharmacists, and other medical specialists. Requires relevant professional license.

The Medical Services Visa is Japan's work residence status for licensed healthcare professionals — including physicians, dentists, pharmacists, nurses, and allied health practitioners — who have obtained the relevant Japanese professional license.

Stay periods of 5 years, 3 years, 1 year, or 3 months are issued and renewable as long as employment and licensure continue. Dependents may join on Family Stay status and can work up to 28 hours per week with permission. Medical Services holders can pursue permanent residence through standard or high-skills pathways.

This visa is ideal for foreign-trained healthcare professionals who have passed Japan's national licensing examinations and hold a confirmed employment contract at a Japanese medical institution.

Conversion Paths

Visas you can typically switch to from this status.

Japan

Highly Skilled Professional Visa

Validity5 years

Processing14-28 days

View Visa Details

Japan

Permanent Resident (永住者)

ValidityIndefinite

Processing4-6 months

View Visa Details

Requirements

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Must hold a valid Japanese medical license (e.g., doctor, dentist, nurse).

Must have a confirmed employment contract with a medical institution in Japan.

Must be engaged in professional medical services that require these specific qualifications under Japanese law.

Must meet the criteria for the specific medical profession as defined by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

KEY CRITERIA

Job Offer

Required

Education

none or higher

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid passport

Passport photos

Certificate of Eligibility

Professional license

Employment contract

Educational credentials

License verification

Medical institution registration (sponsor)

Employment contract (sponsor)

Position description (sponsor)

Financial documentation (sponsor)

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Allows qualified professionals to practice medicine legally in Japan.
Provides a stable, long-term work status (up to 5 years).
Facilitates integration into the Japanese healthcare system.

Worth Knowing

Foreign medical licenses are generally not recognized; passing the Japanese national medical licensing examination is mandatory.
The visa is strictly tied to the professional qualification; it cannot be used for general hospital management or non-clinical roles without specific authorization.
High level of Japanese language proficiency is typically required for clinical practice.

Application Process

Verify license acceptance: Confirm medical credentials accepted in Japan

Secure medical position: Receive employment offer from Japanese medical institution

Institution applies for COE: Medical organization submits Certificate of Eligibility application

Receive COE: Immigration Services Agency approves COE

Apply for visa: Submit visa application at embassy with COE

Pay visa fee: Pay 3,000 JPY

Receive visa: Visa stamped in passport

Application Forms

Go to application portal

Application for Certificate of Eligibility - Medical Services

—

Verified Claims (19)

Last verified May 31, 2026

Application Steps	Verify license acceptance: Confirm medical credentials accepted in Japan; Secure medical position: R…	moj.go.jp
Dependent Visa	Dependents allowed	us.emb-japan.go.jp
Fee Breakdown	Application fee: 3000 JPY	moj.go.jp
Fee Breakdown · Application fee · amount	15000	seattle.us.emb-japan.go.jp
Fees	JPY 15,000	detroit.us.emb-japan.go.jp
Forms	Application for Certificate of Eligibility - Medical Services	moj.go.jp
Included Nationalities	—	moj.go.jp
Job Offer Required	true	isa.go.jp

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Overview

Work visa for qualified healthcare professionals. For doctors, nurses, dentists, pharmacists, and other medical specialists. Requires relevant professional license.

This visa is ideal for foreign-trained healthcare professionals who have passed Japan's national licensing examinations and hold a confirmed employment contract at a Japanese medical institution.

Requirements

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Must hold a valid Japanese medical license (e.g., doctor, dentist, nurse).

Must have a confirmed employment contract with a medical institution in Japan.

Must be engaged in professional medical services that require these specific qualifications under Japanese law.

Must meet the criteria for the specific medical profession as defined by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

KEY CRITERIA

Job Offer

Required

Education

none or higher

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid passport

Passport photos

Certificate of Eligibility

Professional license

Employment contract

Educational credentials

License verification

Medical institution registration (sponsor)

Employment contract (sponsor)

Position description (sponsor)

Financial documentation (sponsor)

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Allows qualified professionals to practice medicine legally in Japan.
Provides a stable, long-term work status (up to 5 years).
Facilitates integration into the Japanese healthcare system.

Worth Knowing

Foreign medical licenses are generally not recognized; passing the Japanese national medical licensing examination is mandatory.
The visa is strictly tied to the professional qualification; it cannot be used for general hospital management or non-clinical roles without specific authorization.
High level of Japanese language proficiency is typically required for clinical practice.

Application Process