Useful Columns

Traditional Technology in Kyo-machiya, Kyoto, and the Future with the Youth of the World Audio description (Japanese) The "Kyo-machiya" is a symbol of the beautiful cityscape of Kyoto. Kyo-machiya is filled with the wisdom of our ancestors and traditional skills suited to Japan's climate...

 Voice-over commentary Preserving Tradition: Your Path to Working in Kyoto Machiya Construction Kyoto's Machiya (traditional wooden townhouses) are more than just buildings; they are living testaments to Japan's exquisite craftsmanship. Kyoto's Machiya (traditional wooden townhouses) are more than just buildings; they are living testaments to Japan's exquisite craftsmanship a...

When foreign nationals look to work in Japan, the common visa routes like the "Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services" (often However, relying solely on the mainstream ...

Many people are anxiously awaiting the results of their visa (status of residence) application when they suddenly receive a "Notice of Submission of Materials" (a request for additional documents) from the Immigration Bureau (Immigration Bureau). Many people feel anxious that they may have failed the screening. However, please remain calm. This notice is not a notice of disapproval...

To all foreign students studying in Japan, your status of residence as a "College Student" stipulates clear rules regarding the scope of activities you are allowed to engage in. In particular, it is essential to correctly understand and comply with the law when engaging in income-generating activities such as "part-time work" and "company management. ...

When renewing "Spouse or Child of Japanese National" status (Spouse Visa), the screening process tends to become stricter year by year, and particular attention should be paid to the following points. 1. stability and continuity of marital life Continuity of cohabitation: In principle, it is most important that the couple lives together and is substantially married....

When hiring foreign personnel or proceeding with your own residence status procedures, "Should I hire an administrative scrivener or do it myself? You may be torn between wanting to keep costs down and wanting to avoid the risk of disapproval. In this column, we will discuss...

Warning to Foreign Entrepreneurs: Rethink Your Startup Strategy After the “Business Manager” Visa Tightening The startup visa system ("Designated Activities" visa status of residence) offered by many local governments is very attractive to foreigners who want to...

Hiring talented international students as new graduates is an important way to increase a company's competitiveness in this age of globalization. However, after making a job offer, many companies face the obstacle of "visa status change procedures. From a "College Student" visa to a "Corporate Worker" visa...

The "Technical/Humanities/International Business Visa" (hereinafter referred to as "Gijinkoku Visa") is the most commonly used status of residence for foreign nationals to work in Japan. However, while the number of applications for this visa is high, the number of denied applications is also increasing, and the screening process is becoming stricter every year. The "visa" status is most commonly used by foreign nationals to work in Japan.

In recent years, an increasing number of companies are hiring foreign nationals as regular or contract employees. However, when hiring foreign employees, it is important not to forget about "visa (status of residence) renewal. If the employee does not renew his/her status of residence before it expires, he/she will be in Japan illegally, and the company will be...

Audio Commentary Dear Registered Support Organization, Under the revised Gyoseishoshi Law that will take effect on January 1, 2026, it will be clearly illegal to prepare documents for application for status of residence for specified skills for remuneration, no matter what the name of the act may be. ⚠️ Risk: If the cost of document preparation is included in the support outsourcing fee, etc., the illegal act...

As of November 2025, the Immigration Bureau is in the midst of a full-scale transition to IC cards for residence cards, and it has finally become clear that the transition will be complete by the end of 2026. The plastic card will be replaced by a new residence card with an IC chip equivalent to a My Number card. ...

The revised Administrative Scrivener Law will come into effect on January 1, 2026 (January 1, 2026). 1. point of revision: Requests to unqualified persons will be "not permitted under any name! Gyoseishoshi Scriveners are required to submit documents to government offices (e.g., applications for permission to open a restaurant, applications for status of residence for foreign residents, inheritance-related...

1. can i work even if my "period of stay" is still valid? Many foreign students and employers mistakenly believe that they can work until the expiration date of their residence card. The fact is: From the day you graduate from school (or are expelled from school), the "Permission to Engage in Activity other than that Permitted under the Status of Residence" associated with the "College Student" visa takes effect...

In the midst of a labor shortage due to the declining birthrate and aging population, foreign students are a valuable asset to the workforce. However, when hiring them, it is necessary to properly understand the rules specific to the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act (Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act), which are not applicable to Japanese part-time workers. In particular, the "28-hour-per-week limit" is lenient...

Important: Effective October 16, 2025, the requirements for the "Management and Administration" visa have been significantly tightened. The conventional wisdom of "investment of 5 million yen" or "one-person start-up" no longer applies. October 16, 2025 will be a historic turning point for foreigners who wish to start a business in Japan...

We have received very important and urgent news for all of you in the food service industry. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) and the Immigration and Residency Management Agency have announced the suspension of acceptance of Specified Technical Skills 1 in the food service industry. For businesses that have been planning to hire, this is an extremely important...

⏳ 1. Introduction: Why is my visa application so slow? Many people spend anxious days wondering when they will be granted a visa (status of residence) after applying for one. The examination period at the Immigration Bureau (Immigration Bureau) is usually from one to three months, but some applicants may wait as long as six months...

When renewing "Spouse or Child of Japanese National" status (Spouse Visa), the screening process tends to become stricter year by year, and particular attention should be paid to the following points. 1. stability and continuity of marital life Continuity of cohabitation: In principle, it is most important that the couple lives together and is substantially married....