Useful Columns

For international students, part-time work is a familiar part of life in Japan. The rule of "up to 28 hours per week" (blanket permission) is well known, but did you know that there is actually a system called "Individual Permission to Engage in Activity other than that Permitted under the Status of Residence" that allows you to work beyond that limit? In the future, ca...

1. start-up visa is not a "goal", it is a "stay of execution" Many entrepreneurs are relieved after obtaining a "start-up visa (6 months to 2 years)", but that is a big mistake. Due to the amendment of the law in October 2025, the hurdle for renewal to the "Management and Administration Visa" is "an investment of 30 million yen or more...

Video Commentary (Japanese) Video Commentary (English) Video Commentary (Chinese) 1. Introduction: The era in which one can become president with 5 million yen is over The startup environment in Japan has undergone a dramatic change with the legislative revision on October 16, 2025. Until now, the relatively low hurdle of "5 million yen in capital" has taken...

1. establishment and utilization of "Digital Nomad" visa The "Digital Nomad" visa (Designated Activities No. 53), introduced in 2024, has established itself as the "easiest entrance" to Japan for creative and IT professionals from the U.S. and Europe as of 2026. Appeal to target: remote workers with annual incomes of 10 million yen or more...

Behind the scenes, Kyoto Prefecture continues to claim that it "welcomes foreign entrepreneurs," a cruel reality is unfolding: the "drastic change (tightening) of business management visa requirements" that was implemented on October 16, 2025. Based on this premise, the current guide page published by Kyoto Prefecture (*Kyoto Prefecture "Startup Visa Ky...

The job of an administrative scrivener is to prepare documents, submit them to government offices, and obtain "permission. However, what we at Gyoseishoshi Lawyer Alex International Office truly value is how we can be there for "the dawn of each individual's life" beyond that process. The other day, I was at a ca...

Starting a business in Kyoto means more than just pursuing profits for a single company. It means to be a part of the grand story of passing on to the next generation the "beauty of Japan" that has been preserved over the millennia. Today, many foreign entrepreneurs are attracted to Kyoto, while...

Since the October 2025 revision, the term "business sustainability" has been treated more seriously than ever before in immigration inspections. In this article, we will discuss how to avoid denial of visa application based on the latest screening trends in 2026....

Job change is an unavoidable theme in the employment of foreign nationals with specific skills. Supporting foreigners who are seeking career advancement or improved conditions to follow the appropriate procedures will not only prevent problems, but will also help build confidence in the Japanese labor market as a whole. 1. the "field" barrier: the same...

If we wait for the new system to take effect, the tradition will cease to exist. Current issue: While waiting for the new system to take effect, skilled craftsmen are pulling...

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....