Useful Columns

Introduction: The "Support Plan" that determines the success or failure of the Specified Skill System The Specified Skill System is an important mechanism to provide foreign human resources with stable employment opportunities in Japan and to secure human resources that can be immediately effective for companies. Under this system, a company (organization with specified skills) or registered support organization prepares...

🔑 1. Introduction: What is the core of the work visa examination? When applying for a work visa (status of residence: "Engineer/Humanities/International Services," etc.), which is necessary to work in Japan, the most important and most likely cause of denial is that "the applicant's educational and professional background" and "the nature of work to be engaged in" are compatible...

📈 1. Introduction: Why is the Management and Administration Visa System Changing Now? The "Management/Administration Visa" (status of residence) is required for foreigners who establish and manage a business in Japan. While the purpose is to stimulate the Japanese economy, the system is constantly being tightened to prevent fraudulent applications by paper companies...

  Audio Commentary On October 16, 2025, the Japanese government made significant revisions to the criteria for granting the "Management and Administration" status of residence. The revision is intended to promote genuine business activities by making visa requirements for foreign entrepreneurs and managers more stringent. Based on the official guidelines of the Immigration...

  Audio commentary (in English) For foreigners who aim to start a business or manage a company in Japan from overseas, obtaining the "Business Manager" is the first and most crucial step. For foreigners who aim to start a business or manage a company in Japan from overseas, obtaining the "Business Manager" Status of Residence (Visa) is the first and most crucial step.

  Explanatory Video Obtaining a "Management/Administration" status of residence (visa) is the first and most important step for foreigners from overseas who wish to start or manage a business in Japan (Kyoto). This procedure requires a high level of expertise and detailed documentation of the company's business plan and financial base...

  Video Commentary For those of you seeking to establish a business in Japan. Effective October 16, 2025, the requirements for the "Management/Administration" visa status have been dramatically tightened. In particular, the three major requirements of "capital of 30 million yen," "employment of full-time staff," and "Japanese language proficiency" are the government's strict selection of future-oriented business owners in Japan...

  Listen to the audio description.

  Please watch the explanatory video Excerpts only of the important changes Revision of Status of Residence "Management/Administration" in Japan: Important Notice to Foreign Entrepreneurs (Effective October 16, 2025) ...

  Video Commentary As the number of foreign hires increases, visa (status of residence) procedures are unavoidable. Depending on who is entrusted with this complex and specialized procedure, the speed and success rate of recruitment activities can vary greatly. In conclusion, visa procedures for foreign employees should be handled by a company's residence...

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...?