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介護 — Nursing Care (介護)

Skilled Migration 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

32,000 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

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

The Japanese Nursing Care (介護) visa, established in 2017, is for foreign nationals holding the national Certified Care Worker (Kaigo Fukushishi) qualification. It permits work in nursing care facilities providing hands-on care and instructional support, addressing Japan's acute shortage of aged-care professionals.

Residence is granted in periods of 5, 3, or 1 year (or 3 months), and the status is renewable with no fixed total cap. Dependents may accompany the holder; spouses can work under restrictions. Japan's permanent residence pathway is available after meeting long-term residency requirements.

This visa is ideal for foreign certified care workers who completed qualifying training or exams in Japan and have a job offer from a licensed nursing care facility.

Fee Breakdown

Change of Status of Residence (In-person)	6,000 JPY
Change of Status of Residence (Online)	5,500 JPY
Extension of Period of Stay (In-person)	6,000 JPY
Extension of Period of Stay (Online)	5,500 JPY
Single-entry Visa Fee (Standard)	3,000 JPY
Multiple-entry Visa Fee (Standard)	6,000 JPY

Conversion Paths

Visas you can typically switch to from this status.

Japan

Permanent Resident (永住者)

ValidityIndefinite

Processing4-6 months

View Visa Details

Japan

Highly Skilled Professional Visa

Validity5 years

Processing14-28 days

View Visa Details

Requirements

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Must be a certified care worker (registered in Japan).

Must have an employment contract with a nursing care facility in Japan.

Must receive remuneration equivalent to or greater than that of a Japanese national.

Must have completed a certified care worker training facility in Japan or passed the national examination via other approved routes (e.g., EPA, work experience).

Must be at least 18 years of age.

KEY CRITERIA

Job Offer

Required

Education

vocational or higher

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid passport.

Visa application form (COE / change / extension / acquisition form as applicable).

Passport-sized photograph.

Certificate of Eligibility (COE) — for new entry applications.

Certified Care Worker registration certificate (copy) — 介護福祉士登録証.

Document showing labor conditions (employment contract / labor conditions notice).

Overview documentation of the employing institution.

Representative's declaration form (所属機関の代表者に関する申告書) — required for applications filed from April 15, 2026.

Skills transfer declaration form (技能移転に係る申告書) — required only if previously held Technical Intern Training status.

Return envelope with postage (for COE applications).

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Allows for long-term residency and renewal.
Allows family members to accompany the visa holder.
Addresses a critical labor shortage in Japan, leading to high demand for qualified professionals.
Provides a clear pathway to professional status in the healthcare sector.

Worth Knowing

Requires passing the national examination, which is in Japanese.
Strict adherence to the scope of work (must be at a facility, not private home-visit care for individuals).
Highly dependent on Japanese language proficiency.
Must maintain valid registration as a care worker.

Application Process

Obtain the certified care worker qualification.

Secure a job offer from a licensed nursing care facility.

Employer applies for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) in Japan.

Applicant receives the COE and applies for the visa at a Japanese Embassy or Consulate.

Upon approval, enter Japan and obtain the Residence Card.

Verified Claims (20)

Last verified May 31, 2026

Application Steps	Obtain the certified care worker qualification.; Secure a job offer from a licensed nursing care fac…	moj.go.jp
Dependent Visa	Yes, dependents can accompany	moj.go.jp
Fee Breakdown	Change of Status of Residence (In-person): 6000 JPY; Change of Status of Residence (Online): 5500 JP…	moj.go.jp
Fees	6,000 JPY for in-person applications, 5,500 JPY for online applications (for change of status or ext…	moj.go.jp
Forms	—	moj.go.jp
Included Nationalities	—	moj.go.jp
Job Offer Required	true	moj.go.jp
Official Info	https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/status/nursingcare.html	moj.go.jp

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Check Eligibility

Overview

This visa is ideal for foreign certified care workers who completed qualifying training or exams in Japan and have a job offer from a licensed nursing care facility.

Requirements

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Must be a certified care worker (registered in Japan).

Must have an employment contract with a nursing care facility in Japan.

Must receive remuneration equivalent to or greater than that of a Japanese national.

Must have completed a certified care worker training facility in Japan or passed the national examination via other approved routes (e.g., EPA, work experience).

Must be at least 18 years of age.

KEY CRITERIA

Job Offer

Required

Education

vocational or higher

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid passport.

Visa application form (COE / change / extension / acquisition form as applicable).

Passport-sized photograph.

Certificate of Eligibility (COE) — for new entry applications.

Certified Care Worker registration certificate (copy) — 介護福祉士登録証.

Document showing labor conditions (employment contract / labor conditions notice).

Overview documentation of the employing institution.

Representative's declaration form (所属機関の代表者に関する申告書) — required for applications filed from April 15, 2026.

Skills transfer declaration form (技能移転に係る申告書) — required only if previously held Technical Intern Training status.

Return envelope with postage (for COE applications).

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Allows for long-term residency and renewal.
Allows family members to accompany the visa holder.
Addresses a critical labor shortage in Japan, leading to high demand for qualified professionals.
Provides a clear pathway to professional status in the healthcare sector.

Worth Knowing

Requires passing the national examination, which is in Japanese.
Strict adherence to the scope of work (must be at a facility, not private home-visit care for individuals).
Highly dependent on Japanese language proficiency.
Must maintain valid registration as a care worker.

Application Process