Three Methods for the Spouse of Highly Skilled Professional to Work in Japan

I. Enter Japan as the Working Spouse

One of the preferential treatments for highly skilled professional is that his/her spouse is permitted to engage in work activities pertaining to the status of residence of "Researcher", "Instructor", "Engineer", "Specialist in Humanities/International Services" or "Entertainer".
Apart from "Permission to Engage in an Activity Other Than That Permitted (See below)", there are no time restrictions (up to 28 hours a week); he/she is able to work full time with the status of residence of "Designated Activities (period of stay of 5 years, 3 years or 1 year)". 

  • The spouse of highly skilled professionals is ONLY permitted to engage in work activities pertaining to the above-mentioned statuses of residence; therefore, he/she is not able to perform so-called unskilled labor for this case. (Refer to II by comparison.)  
  • In order to obtain this permission, the spouse must be living with the highly skilled professional. If the spouse lives separately from the highly skilled professional due to job transfer etc., the permitted work activities are no longer allowed to perform. (Refer to III by comparison.) 
  • In order to obtain this permission, the spouse who is currently living abroad and obtaining the certificate of eligibility needs to secure any position in Japanese company/organization prior to filing the application. 

II. Enter Japan as the Dependent Spouse of Highly Skilled Professional

The spouse who has entered Japan as the dependent spouse of highly skilled professional is able to work after obtaining the "Permission to Engage in an Activity Other Than That Permitted (blanket permission for up to 28 hours of work per week)". He/she may then work within the scope of the permission including unskilled occupations with the status of residence of "Dependent". 

III. Enter Japan after Obtaining Status of Residence for Work

The spouse of highly skilled professional may obtain his/her own status of residence permitting entry into Japan and engage in work activities pertaining to the status of residence.

  • The spouse of highly skilled professionals is able to engage in work activities pertaining to the status of residence without time constraints.
  • The work activities are not limited if these are permitted under a status of residence for work.    
  • The spouse is able to live separately and continue to perform the permitted work activities.
  • However, the spouse must satisfy the permissible standards applicable to a status of residence for work in order to obtain permission. 

Common Items

In addition to the highly skilled professional can bring his or her spouse who wants to work in Japan, the highly skilled professional may come to Japan first and then invite his/her spouse to Japan later.

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