Useful Columns

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....

When hiring foreign personnel or proceeding with your own residence status procedures, "Should I hire an administrative scrivener or do it myself? You may be torn between wanting to keep costs down and wanting to avoid the risk of disapproval. In this column, we will discuss...

Warning to Foreign Entrepreneurs: Rethink Your Startup Strategy After the “Business Manager” Visa Tightening The startup visa system ("Designated Activities" visa status of residence) offered by many local governments is very attractive to foreigners who want to...

Hiring talented international students as new graduates is an important way to increase a company's competitiveness in this age of globalization. However, after making a job offer, many companies face the obstacle of "visa status change procedures. From a "College Student" visa to a "Corporate Worker" visa...

The "Technical/Humanities/International Business Visa" (hereinafter referred to as "Gijinkoku Visa") is the most commonly used status of residence for foreign nationals to work in Japan. However, while the number of applications for this visa is high, the number of denied applications is also increasing, and the screening process is becoming stricter every year. The "visa" status is most commonly used by foreign nationals to work in Japan.

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...

Introduction: The reality of the "permission rate of about 601 TP3T". Permanent residence application should aim for "perfection. Permanent residence permit (Permanent Resident Visa) is the most valuable residence status to permanently solidify the foundation of your life in Japan. However, the permission rate is in the 40% to 60% range, depending on the region, according to official statistics....

Introduction: Why is the "Spouse Visa" Screening Process so Strict? A "spouse visa" is required for a foreign partner married to a Japanese national to live in Japan. The procedure itself may seem simple, but this visa is not the same as other work visas and...

Introduction: Why should you hurry to "apply for renewal" now? Renewal of status of residence is one of the most familiar and important procedures for foreign nationals working in Japan. However, there is an "optimal time to apply" for this procedure. Especially in November, before the year-end and New Year holidays, and also in the spring of next year, the Immigration Bureau's big...

Applying for a Status of Residence (Visa) in Japan can be a significant hurdle for foreign nationals and companies hiring foreigners for the first time. This is mainly due to the sheer volume of application documents, the complexity of t...

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...?