Gyro

Residential Status, and Visa Issues

Contents

1. What is the proper procedure to follow if I wish to reside in Japan?

2. What should I do when I wish to engage in an activity not covered by my present status?

3. What should I do to cease my present activity and engage in a completely new activity?

4. What should I do when I wish to extend my present period of stay?

5. How do I apply for permanent residence in Japan?

6. What is re-entry permission?

7. What is the certificate of authorized employment?

What is the proper procedure to follow if I wish to reside in Japan?

Foreign nationals residing in Japan are required to follow one of the following procedures relating to residence.
(1) Permission to engage in an activity other than that permitted by the status of residence previously granted (See here)
(2) Permission to change status of residence (See here)
(3) Permission to extend period of stay (See here)
(4) Permission for permanent residence (See here)
(5) Re-entry permission (See here)

Any foreign national who wishes to make an application relating to his/her stay in Japan should appear in person at the District or Branch office of the Regional Immigration Bureau, having jurisdiction over his/her place of residence (or his/her place of temporary lodging if (s)he has no established residence), present his/her passport and submit the appropriate application forms and documents.

While it is a general rule that an application must be made in person, an application may be made on the applicant's behalf by his/her father or mother, spouse, a care giver or any person who is living with the applicant if the applicant is under the age of 16 years, or when (s)he cannot appear in person at the Regional Immigration Bureau, by reason of old age, disease or other physical impediment.
When an application has been approved, the applicant is notified in writing (or by phone). Upon receipt of such notification, the applicant should appear at the Regional Immigration Bureau, etc., or the designated date with the documents listed on the notification.

If you have any questions concerning immigration, please contact: Sendai Immigration Office Tel.(022-256-6076, 6077 or 6078) or Koriyama Immigration Office Tel. (024-936-3231).

What should I do when I wish to engage in an activity not covered by my present status?

Under an amendment of the Immigration Control Act, which came into effect on June 1, 1990, when a foreign national desires to engage in an activity involving the management of business or remuneration other than that permitted under his/her present status of residence, (s)he must apply for and obtain permission to do so in advance.

For example, this permission is required when a missionary wishesto teach English at an English conversation school, or when a student wishes to engage in a part-time job.

Documents to be submitted
(1) Application for permission to engage in an activity other than that permitted under the status of residence previously granted ... 2 copies.
(2) Materials indicating in concrete terms the nature of the activity to be engaged in (e.g., copy of employment contract, brochure describing the business of the employer etc.) ... 1 copy each
(3) Materials indicating the nature of the activity presently engaged in (e. g., enrollment certificate of foreign student, etc.) ... 1 copy each

If the application is approved, a "Permit to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted by the Status of Residence Previously Granted" will be issued to the applicant.

Anyone engaging in an activity involving the management of business or remuneration other than that permitted by his/her previously granted, status of residence but without obtaining permission, may be subject to punishment, and anyone who knowingly employs such a person may also be punished. (See here about the procedures)

What should I do to cease my present activity and engage in a completely new activity?

When a foreign national desires to cease his/her present activity and concentrate on an altogether new activity which falls outside those permitted by his/her status of residence, (s)he should apply for and obtain a change of status of residence.

Documents to be submitted
(1) Application for change of status of residence ... 2 copies
(2) A statement of reasons for making an application (A document stating the reasons for making an application to engage in a new activity. There is no fixed form for this document). ... 1 copy
(3) Materials indicating in concrete terms the nature of the new activity to be engaged in (e. g. copy of letter of acceptance by employer, documents proving the applicant's ability to bear all the expenses necessary during his/her stay in Japan, etc.). ... 1 copy each

When a change of status of residence has been granted, the new status of residence and the period of stay are determined and a stamp will be affixed in the passport of the applicant. (See here about the procedures)

What should I do when I wish to extend my present period of stay?

A foreign national who wishes to extend his/her period of stay should make an application before their current authorized period of stay expires. Applications for extensions of period of stay are accepted until about one month prior to the date when the initial period of stay affixed in the passport of the applicant expires. An application will not necessarily be approved. It will be given only when there are reasonable grounds to accept the extension of the period of stay. An application will not be approved if the applicant has already attained the purpose of his/her visit.

Documents to be submitted
(1) Application for extension of period of stay ... 2 copies
(2) Statement of reasons for making an application, (a document concretely stating the activities presently engaged in, reasons why the extension is required, etc. There is no fixed form for this document). ... 1 copy
(3) Documents certifying the reasons necessitating the extension ... 1 copy each

When an extension of period of stay has been granted, the new period of stay is determined and a stamp will be affixed in the passport of the applicant. (See here about the procedures)

How do I apply for permanent residence in Japan?

The criteria for permitting permanent residence in Japan are generally strict. Permanent residence is permitted only when a foreign national has established a permanent base of livelihood and when it is deemed that his/her permanent residence will be in accord with the interests of Japan.

More concretely, permission for permanent residence is granted only when a foreign national fulfills at least the following conditions.

(1) The applicant needs to have sufficient assets or ability to make an independent living. (Not required for spouses and children of Japanese nationals, special permanent residents or permanent residents, and those who have been recognized as refugees).
(2) That the person is of good conduct. (Not required for spouses and children of Japanese nationals, special permanent residents or permanent residents).

There is no rule regarding the residence history of the applicant, however, it should be so long that the foundation of the person's life has become deep-rooted in Japanese society. A relatively short period can be sufficient for former Japanese nationals, spouses and children of Japanese nationals, special permanent residents or permanent residents, those who have been recognized as refugees, persons who have made a notable contribution to society in Japan etc.

If you have any questions, please contact the Sendai Immigration Office Tel (022-256-6076, 6077, 6078) or the Koriyama Immigration Office Tel. (024-936-3231).

There is a special system for obtaining permanent residence for the descendants of the foreign nationals who lost Japanese nationality under the peace treaty after World War II. If you want more details about this, please call your city, town or village office (See here)

What do I do to obtain re-entry permission?

A foreign national who wishes to leave Japan for his/her home country or other countries temporarily and re-enterJapan to continue residence within his/her authorized period of stay need not obtain a new visa if re-entry permission has been obtained before leaving Japan.

While a re-entry permit is, in general, valid only for one time, a multiple re-entry permit may be given to persons who need to make frequent trips outside Japan. The term of validity for a re-entry permit is limited to within the date of
expiration of the applicant's period of stay and the maximum term is one year. (4 years for special permanent residents)

When a foreign national who has left Japan with a re-entry permit has justifiable reasons (such as disease) for being unable to re-enter within the validity term of the permit, an extension may be granted within a period of one year and
not exceeding two years (5 years for special permanent residents) from the issueance of the re-entry permit at a Japanese embassy or consulate abroad. It is impossible to extend the validity beyond the authorized period of stay.

When re-entry permission has been granted, a stamp will be affixed in the passport of the applicant. Please contact Sendai Immigration Office Tel. (022-256-6076, 6077 or 6078) or Koriyama Immigration Office Tel. (024-936-3231) for details.

Certificate of authorized employment

A Certificate of Authorized Employment is issued by the Regional Immigration Bureau upon application by a foreign national whose employment in Japan has been approved.

This certificate indicates the types of activities authorized by the Regional Immigration Bureau. The foreign national can submit it to a potential employer to reassure the employer of his/her eligibility as an employee.

An employer who knowingly employs foreign nationals without the right working papers or an employment broker who makes them engage in illegal work may be punished by imprisonment or a fine.