🇯🇵 Japan visas for Vietnamese citizens
Last verified: September 2, 2026
Vietnamese citizens moving to Japan 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.
Compare Japan visas
| 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
- 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.