Useful Columns

高度専門職（HSP）のポイント制度を利用した永住許可申請は、通常の「居住10年」の要件を大幅に短縮できる非常に強力なルートです。しかし、申請準備にあたっては、審査を行う管轄局の選択や、キャリアチェンジのタイミングなど、慎重に検討すべきポイント...

1. 便利なオンライン申請の「意外な盲点」 最近普及してきた入管のオンライン申請。どこからでも手続きができると思われがちですが、実は「所在地のルール」が厳格に定められています。今回寄せられた「香港からVPNを使って申請を試みたがエラーが出る」と...

1. 登録支援機関の申請手続き（基本フロー） 登録支援機関になるためには、出入国在留管理局への申請が必要です。登録の有効期間は5年間であり、継続する場合は更新申請が必要です。 主な登録要件 支援体制： 中長期在留者の受入れ実績（過去2年）や、生活...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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. ...

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...

⏳ 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...

Some of you who are currently working under the "Specified Technical Skills 1" status may be considering changing your status of residence to "Technical/Humanities/International Services" ("Gijinkoku") in the future. In this issue, we will discuss the change of status of residence from Tokutei Gijutsu 1 to Gijinkoku...

In order for a foreigner to work in Japan, he/she must obtain a "status of residence" (work visa). However, not just anyone can be granted a work visa, and academic background, work experience, and expertise are important points for examination. In this context, companies and applicants are often asked questions such as, "Do you speak Japanese...?