Useful Columns

Dear managers of companies that are either preserving Kyoto's traditions or challenging the world with cutting-edge IT technology. Did you know that one of the biggest "rule changes" ever is taking place in the field of employing foreigners? In 2026, with the complete conversion of residence cards to IC cards, the immigration authorities will be able to monitor immigration status like never before de...

 　Audio Critique (Japanese) Audio Critique (English) There is no doubt that Kyoto has been attracting motivated foreign entrepreneurs from all over the world with its "ease of starting a business" and "Kyoto brand". However, behind the glamorous attraction, there is now an extremely serious "information vacuum...

 　Audio Commentary (Japanese) For foreign entrepreneurs who dream of starting a business in Kyoto, there is now an unprecedented "invisible barrier" to overcome: due to a legal revision in October 2025, the hurdle to move from a start-up visa to a "management and administration" visa is a minimum capital of 30 million yen....

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...

  Audio Commentary (Japanese) Audio Commentary (English) 1. Dramatic Shrinking of the "Management and Administration" Visa Gate: 30 Million Yen and the N2 Wall The revised ministerial ordinance that came into effect on October 16, 2025 significantly raised the criteria for granting the "Management and Administration" visa. The final goal of the start-up visa (maximum 2 years)...

Applying for a permanent residence permit through the Highly Specialized Professional (HSP) points system is a very powerful route that can significantly shorten the normal "10 years of residence" requirement. However, in preparing the application, there are points that should be carefully considered, such as the choice of the competent authority that will conduct the examination and the timing of the career change...

1. "Unexpected Blind Spot" of Convenient Online Application Online application for immigration control has recently become popular. It is easy to think that you can apply online from anywhere, but in fact, "location rules" are strictly regulated. In this issue, we received a report that "I tried to apply from Hong Kong using a VPN, but an error...

Application Procedures for Registered Support Organization (Basic Flow) To become a registered support organization, an application must be submitted to the Immigration and Residence Management Bureau. The registration is valid for 5 years, and a renewal application is required if you wish to continue. Main requirements for registration Support system: Track record of receiving mid- to long-term residents (past 2 years) and living...

I would like to contribute my experience to power electronics research in Japan. I intend to cover all expenses with my pension and savings." We received one earnest "inquiry" e-mail from a 70-year-old professor living in the United States. He holds a PhD from a prestigious U.S. university and has taught for 37 years...

As a general rule, change of status of residence from Temporary Visitor to another is not permitted. However, in exceptional cases, change may be permitted if there are "unavoidable and special circumstances" recognized by the Minister of Justice. In this article, we will explain what exactly these "unavoidable circumstances" are...

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....