Citizens from all APEC member economies are required to obtain a visa to take up temporary residence in Japan for business. Foreign visitors staying for a period not exceeding 90 days may do so in "Temporary Visitor" status if they plan to conduct business for their home business but may not work directly for remuneration in Japan.

http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/index.html

There are 14 residence statuses that permit work in Japan, 5 of which are most relevant to business people:

1. Investor/Business Manager ・for foreigners managing or investing in international trade or other business.
2. Legal/Accounting Services ・for foreign attorneys or public accountants certified to perform their services in Japan.
3. Engineer ・for foreigners providing a service requiring technological skill on the basis of a contract with a public or private organization in Japan.
4. Specialist in Humanities/International Services ・for foreigners with experience of foreign culture and working in such fields as translation, interpretation, overseas business, advertising, etc. based on a contract with a public or private organization in Japan.
5. Intra-company Transferee ・for foreigners transferred to business offices in Japan from business offices that are established in foreign countries by public or private organizations with head, branch or other business offices in Japan and who work in Japan as an engineer or specialist in humanities/international services.

Intra-company transferees include specialists who engage in the activities which fall under the status of residence of either Engineer or Specialist in Humanities/International Services.

• Passport or equivalent travel document
• completed visa application form
• passport-sized photo
• Certificate of Eligibility, which constitutes valid evidence that the applicant fulfills various conditions of the activity he wants to conduct in Japan and qualifies for residence status. This document is required to speed visa issuance and obviates the need to supply the documents certifying the purpose of visit.
• documents certifying the purpose of visit (these vary for each type of work visa but may include business plan, financial statements, applicant's specialized qualifications, details of the position to be filled, evidence of the relationship between the foreign and Japanese business offices, etc.) (Not required usually, if the applicant has a Certificate of Eligibility.)

The applicant should lodge the visa application personally with the Japanese Embassy or Consulate closest to his place of residence (Some applications can be lodged by proxy. Please inquire at the nearest Japanese mission.). An interview is necessary only when requested by the consular officer.

When applying for a working visa, it is advisable to apply in Japan beforehand for a Certificate of Eligibility. The Certificate of Eligibility is issued before a visa application by a Regional Immigration Bureau under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Justice. An application for the Certificate of Eligibility is usually made by a proxy in Japan at the nearest Regional Immigration Bureau to the proxy's place of residence.

Processing the visa application takes about 1 week. Processing the application for Certificate of Eligibility takes about 1 month if there are no specific problems.

Visa validity is usually 3 months.

Permitted length of stay varies according to the residence status:

• Investor/Business Manager ・1 year or 3 years
• Legal/Accounting Services ・1 year or 3 years
• Engineer ・1 year or 3 years
• Specialist in Humanities/Int'l Services ・1 year or 3 years
• Intra-company Transferee ・1 year or 3 years

The fee for a visa is about JY 3000 payable in cash in local currency. The fee is waived on bilateral reciprocity for applicants from Australia, Canada, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, the Philippines, Russia and USA, and reduced for applicants from Hong Kong, China (British National Overseas passport holders and Special Administrative Region passport holders ). There is no fee for the Certificate of Eligibility.

The business person holding residence statuses that permit work in Japan may apply to extend their period of stay, without departing Japan, based on a determination of necessity. Periods of extension vary according to the residence status. The business person should apply with the Regional Immigration Bureau and supply documents explaining the need for extension and certifying the activity, its duration, position and the remuneration of the person concerned. Processing the extension requires about 2 weeks, if there are no specific problems, to 3 months and attracts a fee of 4,000 Yen (approx. US$33).

http://www.moj.go.jp/ENGLISH/information/iic-01.html

Family members on dependant visa may accompany the principal visa holder and enter Japan subject to the same terms. Family members may attend school but must obtain a permit if they want to work.

Refused applications are not subject to appeal.