How much does the level of pay affect the examination for a work visa?

This article is a translation of the Japanese original. Where the two differ, the Japanese version prevails. Read the Japanese original（日本語版を読む）

What is this enquiry about?

A question about the level of pay, often raised by people who are about to apply for a work visa.

This article explains the guide level of pay for a work visa application, the effect the amount of pay has on the examination, and the conditions other than pay.

Is there a minimum salary for a work visa application?

There is no minimum salary set by law, but the remuneration must be at least equal to that of a Japanese national.

To give the conclusion first: for a work visa application, there is no clearly defined 「最低給与額」 set by law. However, for the application to be granted, you must receive remuneration at least equal to that received by a Japanese national doing the same work (the ministerial ordinance setting the criteria under 入管法第七条第一項第二号).

This is a rule to stop foreign nationals from pushing down the wage level of Japanese workers. It is therefore generally considered that with a level of pay below the Japanese minimum wage, obtaining a work visa is as a rule difficult.

How is the amount of pay looked at in the examination?

4 points: stability and continuity, the company's business situation, the balance with the work itself, and the balance with other foreign workers.

1. Judging stability and continuity　Whether the applicant can live a stable life in Japan is examined. An appropriate level of pay is 1 of the important elements in that judgement. If the amount of pay is very low, concerns may be raised, such as "will life in Japan become hard?" or "could this lead to unlawful ways of working?"
2. Judging the company's business situation　Whether the accepting company has the financial stability to keep paying appropriate wages to a foreign national is also examined. A low amount of pay may become 1 of the reasons for judging that the company's business situation is unstable.
3. The balance between the work and the pay　Whether the amount of pay matches the applicant's work, experience and ability is also considered. If the work requires advanced specialised knowledge or skills and yet the amount of pay is low, the credibility of the employment contract may be doubted.
4. The balance with other foreign workers　Whether the amount of pay is unfairly low compared with other foreign workers doing similar work in the same company is also checked.

What conditions other than the amount of pay are looked at?

Bonuses, pay-rise arrangements, enrolment in social insurance, working hours and days off are all considered together.

• Whether there is a bonus, and how much　Whether there is an annual bonus, and what has actually been paid in the past, are also part of what is assessed
• Whether there is a pay-rise system　Whether there is a system under which pay goes up regularly is an element showing the stability of working there for a long time
• Whether there is a retirement allowance system　Whether there is a retirement allowance system is also material for judging whether long-term employment is assumed
• Enrolment in social insurance　Being properly enrolled in social insurance — health insurance, employees' pension insurance, employment insurance and workers' accident compensation insurance — is essential for working in Japan, and is an important point in the examination too
• Welfare benefits　The content of welfare benefits, such as a housing allowance, a commuting allowance and a family allowance, is also an element showing how good the job is
• Working hours and days off　Whether working hours and days off are set in line with Japan's Labour Standards Act is also checked

How can I find out what the going level of pay is?

Check the average level for Japanese nationals doing similar work, using sources such as the 賃金構造基本統計調査 (Basic Survey on Wage Structure) published by the 厚生労働省 (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare).

The level of pay in Japan varies a great deal with the kind of business, the type of job, experience and the region. There is no clear standard of the form 「〇〇円以上」 ("X yen or more"), but it is important to know the average level of pay for Japanese nationals doing similar work, using sources such as the 賃金構造基本統計調査 published by the 厚生労働省.

Job websites and recruitment agencies are also useful for finding out the actual level of pay.

For a work visa application, there is no formal minimum line for the amount of pay. Even so, it is a very important element in judging whether the contents of the application are realistic, whether the company is financially stable, and whether the pay is in balance with the work.

Frequently Asked Questions

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This article provides general information. Immigration rules change, and outcomes depend on individual circumstances. Please check the Immigration Services Agency website or consult a qualified specialist.
This page is a translation of the Japanese original. Where the two differ, the Japanese version prevails.