Before a foreign national can receive a residential qualification (working visa), the employment conditions must be formalised and accepted by the authorities. The usual process for a foreign national to work in Japan is that a written employment contract is formed and a copy of the contract is submitted to the Immigration Bureau for review and assessment.

In the case where the length of the working term is not defined in the employment contract, it means that the work is presumed to continue until retirement. However, for a foreign national without a permanent visa, their working visa is usually for a period of 3 years unless working on a project with specific duration. For a specialized job where a worker is classed as a Highly Qualified Professional by the Immigration Bureau, the period for their residential qualification and working contract is usually 5 years. It is necessary to apply for residential qualification renewal if a worker wishes to continue working in Japan past the expiry of their issued visa. A new employment contract may also be required in such a circumstance.　　　

A foreign national worker who changes their employer during the period of their approved contract must apply to the Immigration Bureau for a change to their residential qualification.