Useful Columns

  Explanatory Video Obtaining a "Management/Administration" status of residence (visa) is the first and most important step for foreigners from overseas who wish to start or manage a business in Japan (Kyoto). This procedure requires a high level of expertise and detailed documentation of the company's business plan and financial base...

  Video Commentary For those of you seeking to establish a business in Japan. Effective October 16, 2025, the requirements for the "Management/Administration" visa status have been dramatically tightened. In particular, the three major requirements of "capital of 30 million yen," "employment of full-time staff," and "Japanese language proficiency" are the government's strict selection of future-oriented business owners in Japan...

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  Please watch the explanatory video Excerpts only of the important changes Revision of Status of Residence "Management/Administration" in Japan: Important Notice to Foreign Entrepreneurs (Effective October 16, 2025) ...

  Video Commentary As the number of foreign hires increases, visa (status of residence) procedures are unavoidable. Depending on who is entrusted with this complex and specialized procedure, the speed and success rate of recruitment activities can vary greatly. In conclusion, visa procedures for foreign employees should be handled by a company's residence...

  Video Explanation Hiring foreign personnel is a great opportunity for the growth of a company. However, visa (status of residence) procedures after hiring are complex, and it tends to be a heavy burden for employers to handle by themselves. Therefore, it is best to ask a specialized administrative scrivener for help, but "there are too many...

  Video Explanation: Growing Interest in Hiring Foreign Nationals and a Message to Help Those Concerned for the First Time In recent years, the utilization of foreign human resources is becoming an essential element of corporate growth strategies as the domestic workforce declines. The video explains how to start hiring foreigners and how to get started.

Introduction: The Impact of "Changes" During the Application for Naturalization The application for naturalization, which is the process of acquiring Japanese citizenship, can take as long as one to one and a half years from the time of application to the time of approval. During this period, changes related to occupation or income, such as "I want to change to a company with better conditions" or "I had to leave my job...

  Video Explanation The requirements for obtaining or renewing a "Management/Administration Visa," a status of residence in Japan, will become much stricter with the revision of the ministerial ordinance to come into effect on October 16, 2025. Especially for foreign business owners who already have a "Management/Administration Visa", the situation of not being approved for the next renewal will be...

  Video Explanation (English version) Major Revisions 1 Employment of Full-Time Employees The applicant is required to employ one or more full-time employees at the company, etc. operated by the applicant.　(Note) "Full-time employee" includes Japanese nationals, special permanent residents, and foreign nationals residing with the status of residence in Appended Table 2 of the Act ("...

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....