🇯🇵 Japan work visas for Vietnamese citizens 2026
Last verified: September 2, 2026
Vietnamese citizens moving to Japan from Vietnam have 2 main visa routes: Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) and Engineer / Specialist in Humanities. The fastest is the Engineer / Specialist in Humanities at 6–14 weeks. Every requirement below links to the official government source.
Just visiting? Japan tourist visa for Vietnamese citizens covers tourism, family visits, conferences and business trips.
Compare Japan visas for Vietnamese citizens: cost, processing time, and requirements
| Visa | Processing | Gov. fee | Job offer | Family | PR path |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Specified Skilled Worker (SSW)work | 8–16 weeks | $30 | Required | No | No |
| Engineer / Specialist in Humanitieswork | 6–14 weeks | $30 | Required | Yes | Yes |
Japan visa guides for Vietnamese citizens
Specified Skilled Worker (SSW)
workJapan's main route for skilled non-degree work, open across 16 sectors including caregiving, construction, food service, agriculture and manufacturing. You pass a sector skills test plus a Japanese test (JFT-Basic or JLPT N4 or above), then an employer sponsors you. Type 1 runs up to five years without family; Type 2 removes the renewal cap, allows family and opens permanent residence, so the sector's Type 2 availability matters for your long-term plan. Vietnamese applicants must also obtain a DOLAB recommendation certificate — applications get rejected without it. Note the Technical Intern Training Program ends on 1 April 2027 and is replaced by Ikusei Shuro, which will feed into this route.
Engineer / Specialist in Humanities
workThe degree-holder work visa, covering IT, engineering, translation, marketing and similar professional roles. You need a bachelor's degree (or ten years' relevant experience) in a field that matches the job, plus a Japanese employer who files a Certificate of Eligibility on your behalf. Pay must be at least equivalent to a Japanese national doing the same work. It allows family from the start, renews indefinitely in one-, three- or five-year terms, and counts toward permanent residence — usually ten years of residence, or faster through the Highly Skilled Professional points system.
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Check my eligibilityFrequently asked questions
- Can Vietnam citizens move to Japan?
- Yes. Vietnam citizens have 2 main routes into Japan: the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) and the Engineer / Specialist in Humanities. Each has its own requirements, fees, and processing time, compared on this page.
- What is the fastest Japan visa for Vietnamese citizens?
- The Engineer / Specialist in Humanities typically processes in 6–14 weeks, the shortest of the 2 routes we track. Add time for gathering documents, translations, and apostilles.
- Can Vietnamese citizens move to Japan without a job offer?
- Every Japan route we track for Vietnamese citizens currently requires a job offer from an employer in Japan.
- What is the cheapest Japan visa for Vietnamese citizens?
- The Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) has the lowest government fee at about $30. Translations, apostilles, insurance, and courier costs come on top of every route.
- Which Japan visas let Vietnamese citizens bring family?
- The Engineer / Specialist in Humanities allows accompanying family members with additional documentation.
- Which Japan visas lead to permanent residency for Vietnamese citizens?
- The Engineer / Specialist in Humanities offers a path to permanent residency after the qualifying period.
- How much does a Japan work visa cost for Vietnamese citizens?
- Government fees for Vietnamese citizens are about $30 for the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) and $30 for the Engineer / Specialist in Humanities (USD equivalents). Translations, apostilles, medicals, insurance, and courier costs come on top of every route.
- How long does a Japan work visa take for Vietnamese citizens?
- Typical processing is 8–16 weeks for the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) and 6–14 weeks for the Engineer / Specialist in Humanities, counted from the date you apply. Add time for gathering documents.