Useful Columns

For those in charge of human resources at companies that have started to hire foreigners but are not sure which visa is required, or have stopped hiring because of complicated procedures. In order to successfully hire foreign nationals, it is essential to correctly understand the types of visa statuses that you need to have and to follow the appropriate procedures...

  Video Explanation The Quietly Approaching "Wall" of Visa Renewal Currently, stricter requirements for the "Management and Administration Visa" are being implemented. While much of the media coverage has focused on the increased difficulty of "new applications," many people who already hold a visa and are running a business in Japan...

  Video Explanation Kyoto Prefecture Background and Challenges in Accepting Foreign Workers Kyoto Prefecture has a diverse range of regional industries, including agriculture and nursing care in the north, industry in the central part, and manufacturing and research centers in the south, in addition to the tourism industry in Kyoto City. Accepting foreign workers is essential in these fields, but at the same time, the "regional and...

  What is Fake Student Enrollment? Tightened Immigration Screening and Key Points to Note 1. Definition of Fake Student Enrollment What is Fake Student Enrollment?.

The planned amendment to the Ministerial Ordinance governing the "Business Manager" residence status, expected in mid-October 2025, is highly likely to be a game-changer for foreign nationals aiming to start a business in Japan. The planned amendment to the Ministerial Ordinance governing the "Business Manager" residence status, expected in mid-October 2025, is highly likely to be a game-changer for foreign nationals aiming to start a business in Japan.

Audio Commentary (English) 🚀 Will the Startup Visa (Designed Activities) Screening Get Tougher? A. Since the...

The proximity to neighboring residences is a major factor that creates significant differences in regulations and the startup process in Kyoto. 't just a matter of physical distance; it also reflects the social and cultural back...

Building and Operational Standards for Lodging in Kyoto Ryokan and Hotel Facility Standards Kyoto Lodging Facility Application and Construction Procedures *Kyoto Minpaku Rules and Community Guidance* The source provides an overview of th...

  Video Explanation As Japan's labor shortage grows more serious, hiring non-Japanese personnel has become an important option for many companies. However, the key to success in hiring non-Japanese workers is not only to secure them, but also to create an environment in which they can work and live in Japan with peace of mind...

  Video Explanation: Challenges Faced by Companies Hiring Foreign Talent While Japan is increasingly accepting foreign workers, there are cases where companies are acquiring "technical, humanities, or international services" status of residence that does not match the original job description, in order to reduce labor costs. In other words...

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...?