Useful Columns

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...

Every year around this time, there is a corner of the Japanese language school classroom where a heavy atmosphere prevails. Attendance rates are excellent, and Japanese language skills are good enough for daily conversation. Yet, the graduation ceremony is about to begin, and the students are still unable to obtain the two words "job offer. Many of them graduated from universities in their home countries...

'I have been accepted for enrollment in April 2026. However, the school has not applied for a visa on our behalf (COE). I urgently need the help of an experienced specialist. The sender of the message was a ceramics major at the Kyoto...

Nishijin brocade, Kyoto dolls, and Kyoto fans live and breathe in the city of Kyoto. These traditional industries, which have been nurtured in the capital for millennia, are now facing an unprecedented shortage of successors. Parents are faced with such difficult decisions: "We want to pass on our skills, but we can't attract young people" or "Do we have no choice but to close our workshops?.

Outsourcing" is not a goal, but a starting point When hiring a foreigner for the first time, it is natural to feel overwhelmed by the complex immigration laws and paperwork. Outsourcing the "application for status of residence" and "legal support" shown on the left side of the diagram to specialists such as administrative scriveners and registered support organizations like us...

Permanent residence (permanent residence permit) is an attractive status that allows you to live in Japan without worrying about the expiration date of your stay, but the screening process is rigorous. Currently, based on the guidelines of the Immigration and Residency Management Agency, some of the requirements are being considered for strengthening (e.g., clarification of Japanese language ability and income criteria). In this column, we will discuss the basic...

 　The Kyoto Prefectural Governor's supervisory authority is explained in detail in audio "I want to ask for an inheritance procedure" or "I want to obtain a permit to open a store." ...... In such cases, we can rely on Gyoseishoshi Lawyers, the "lawyers in town". However, what makes us feel comfortable entrusting our work to them is simply the fact that they are state-licensed...

With the shortage of labor in Japan, foreign human resources are expected to play an active role in the country, and the speed of procedures related to status of residence is extremely important for both the company and the individual. However, many people have the image that "the immigration office is always crowded" or "the procedures are complicated and hurdles are high...

One of the most attractive residence statuses for talented foreign human resources working in Japan is the "advanced professional visa. Compared to other general work visas such as the "Technical/Humanities/International Services" visa, the "Highly Specialized Worker Visa" offers unparalleled preferential treatment, including a drastically shortened period of stay until permanent residence is granted. In this article, we will discuss the 2026...

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...?