Useful Columns

Be careful of the mismatch between the status of residence and the nature of the work! Many companies that want to hire a foreigner are first confronted with this question: “Can this foreigner really work for us? In conclusion, it is not enough to just say ”I want them to work for us", but it is also necessary to ...

The restaurant industry continues to face a serious labor shortage. One solution that is attracting attention is the employment of "specified skilled foreign nationals. However, accepting specified skilled personnel requires complex procedures and systematic schedule management. In this article, we will discuss the procedures from recruitment planning to the start of work...

⏳ 1. Introduction: Eliminating Concerns about the Screening Period for Visa Applications After applying for a visa (status of residence), the screening period, or "when will I be approved?" is a major concern that directly affects living and working in Japan, as well as hiring plans of companies. The Immigration Bureau (Immigration Bureau of Japan) website provides a guideline...

For companies wishing to hire foreign nationals as full-time employees, obtaining status of residence is an important procedure that cannot be avoided. Among these, "Technical/Humanities/International Services" is the work visa required for hiring foreign nationals for office work. In this issue, we will introduce a successful case where a visa was successfully obtained...

In this era of globalization, more and more companies are considering hiring international students. However, an important procedure called **"Change of Status of Residence "** is required when hiring. In this article, we will explain what you need to know to properly hire international students from the perspective of an administrative scrivener. Why foreign students...

When you want to hire a foreigner, simply signing an employment contract is not enough to have him/her work in Japan. In order for a foreigner to work legally, it is necessary to obtain a **status of residence (work visa)** appropriate to the nature of the work. In this article, we will discuss the requirements for companies hiring foreign nationals...

Japanese society is facing a serious shortage of labor. In order to solve this problem, the **Specified Technical Skills** status of residence was introduced. In this article, we will provide an overview of the "Specified Technical Skills", the industries and occupations covered, application requirements, procedural flow, and points to note from the perspective of an administrative scrivener. 1. 1. "Specified Skills"...

In order for a foreign national to engage in white-collar work in Japan, it is necessary to obtain a status of residence (work visa) for "Engineer/Humanities/International Services. In this article, our expert administrative scriveners will explain the application requirements, the flow of procedures, and common cases of disapproval in an easy-to-understand manner. 1. "The...

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....