Useful Columns

If we wait for the new system to take effect, the tradition will cease to exist. Current issue: While waiting for the new system to take effect, skilled craftsmen are pulling...

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...

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...

The nature of Japan's program to promote entrepreneurial activities by foreign nationals has undergone a major transformation since its last revision in October 2025. The former "grace period for preparation for starting a business" is no longer applicable. Investors should pay close attention to the fact that the Japanese government, through this public notice, has effectively created a "management...

When applying for a status of residence (visa), many people are most concerned about how long it will take to examine their application. The Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Agency (Immigration Bureau) sets a standard "target number of days for examination" for each application. However, in practice, it is not always...

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...

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...