Foreign nationals who attempt to enter Japan are required to obtain a status of residence based on the purpose of their intended activities and be granted permission to land in Japan. This status of residence is necessary for them to reside in Japan.
The types of status of residence can be broadly classified into four categories.
１、Visas related to status (qualifications for status and other categories).
２、Visas related to employment (activity type qualifications).
３、Status of residence with work restrictions.
４、Designated Activities
Within these four categories, there are 29 types of status of residence defined as follows.
There are four types of visas related to status.
These visas related to status. are provided for in the Immigration Control Act and allow for unrestricted employment in Japan（Work visas are limited to specific types of work.）
There are 19 types of work visas.
These work visas. are provided for in the Immigration Control Act and limit the type of work that can be performed in Japan.
There are 5 types of statuses of residence that prohibit work in Japan.
These statuses of residence that prohibit work in Japan are provided for in the Immigration Control Act.
In addition to these, the Immigration Control Act also provides for a "Designated Activities" status of residence, which allows for certain activities to be approved for individual foreign nationals designated by the Minister of Justice, including some that may permit work.