Useful Columns

The status of residence "Management/Administration" is applicable to foreign nationals who start a business in Japan or engage in management/administration of an existing business. The following basic requirements must be met for this status to be granted. - Substantial participation in management: ...

As of November 2025, the "Digital Nomad Visa" (official name yet to be determined), which is said to be almost on track within the government and ruling party, is expected to be introduced in the spring and summer of 2026. This is a groundbreaking visa that will allow people to work remotely in Japan, which is prohibited under a tourist visa. As of this writing, the following information is known...

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 "Information and Strategy Gap" Behind the Generous Support While Kyoto Prefecture's startup visa support has a generous accompaniment system oriented toward economic growth, it also faces two significant structural and strategic challenges that threaten the sustainability of Kyoto as a historical city and the ultimate certainty of success for applicants...

1. Why Gyoseishoshi Lawyers Face Foreign Cases Now The number of foreign residents in 2024 will be approximately 3.4 million (according to the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Agency), a record high. Since the revision of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act (2019), applications for status of residence such as specified skills, technology, humanities, international services, and family stay have increased rapidly, and foreign ...

For foreign business owners who have established a company in Japan and obtained a business management visa, we would like to provide an important warning regarding the latest operational trends of the Immigration Control Act and status of residence. In recent years, the examination and renewal criteria for the business administration visa have become stricter year by year, and in particular, the "actual status of business management and administrative activities in Japan"...

Five Illusions that Municipal Officials Should Throw Away Now Read the official materials of the Immigration Bureau and you will see them clearly. Below is a list of five "fatal misconceptions" that local government officials are still holding on to, based on the official data of the Immigration Bureau. If the person in charge reads this and thinks, "We are fine...

Audio Commentary There are foreign business owners desperately searching for a "savior" in the back alleys of Kyoto, the cold windy ancient capital of Japan. For them, we are the keepers of their visas and the last hope to connect their dreams. However, after the stricter regulations on October 16, 2025, especially for "first renewal cases that are about to expire," we at Gyoseishoshi Lawyer...

The Kyoto Overseas Business Center is positioned as an important institution for the internationalization and economic revitalization of Kyoto, as well as a support organization for start-up visas. However, looking back at the current status of start-up support for foreign students, we cannot help but have strong concerns. The government's policy of "Oyama meinou shi...

Audio Commentary Shockwave of Revision Hits Resident Foreign Managers On October 16, 2025 (enforcement date), the Immigration and Residency Management Agency's revision of the permission criteria for the "Management and Administration" status of residence came into effect. This revision is not a mere tweaking of the rules, but a serious threat to foreign business owners. In particular...

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....