Useful Columns

Application Procedures for Registered Support Organization (Basic Flow) To become a registered support organization, an application must be submitted to the Immigration and Residence Management Bureau. The registration is valid for 5 years, and a renewal application is required if you wish to continue. Main requirements for registration Support system: Track record of receiving mid- to long-term residents (past 2 years) and living...

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...

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...

The job of an administrative scrivener is to prepare documents, submit them to government offices, and obtain "permission. However, what we at Gyoseishoshi Lawyer Alex International Office truly value is how we can be there for "the dawn of each individual's life" beyond that process. The other day, I was at a ca...

Starting a business in Kyoto means more than just pursuing profits for a single company. It means to be a part of the grand story of passing on to the next generation the "beauty of Japan" that has been preserved over the millennia. Today, many foreign entrepreneurs are attracted to Kyoto, while...

Since the October 2025 revision, the term "business sustainability" has been treated more seriously than ever before in immigration inspections. In this article, we will discuss how to avoid denial of visa application based on the latest screening trends in 2026....

Job change is an unavoidable theme in the employment of foreign nationals with specific skills. Supporting foreigners who are seeking career advancement or improved conditions to follow the appropriate procedures will not only prevent problems, but will also help build confidence in the Japanese labor market as a whole. 1. the "field" barrier: the same...

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...

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. ...

Residence Management to be Digitally Accelerated on June 14, 2026The "Specified Residence Card" is finally set to begin operation on June 14, 2026 (counter acceptance from June 15). This card will combine the functions of the existing "Residence Card" and "My Number Card" into a single card. Voluntary acquisition: Not mandatory for all, but for those who wish...

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...

Good news for foreign residents living in Japan and companies that employ foreigners! The "Residence Card" and the "My Number Card," which have previously been bulky and separate in your wallets, can now be combined into a single card. It's called the "Tokutei Zairyu Card." Starting June 2026...

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....

⏳ 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...

Applying for a permanent residence permit through the Highly Specialized Professional (HSP) points system is a very powerful route that can significantly shorten the normal "10 years of residence" requirement. However, in preparing the application, there are points that should be carefully considered, such as the choice of the competent authority that will conduct the examination and the timing of the career change...

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...

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...