Visa & Immigration
Columns on residence status types, application procedures and bringing family to Japan.
Do You Need to Notify Immigration When You Change Jobs? Reporting Your Employer and the Certificate of Authorized Employment
If you hold a Japanese work visa and change jobs, a change of status is generally not needed when the new job fits your current status, but you must file a notification within 14 days. This article covers the notification rules, the certificate of authorized employment, and gaps between jobs.
Will a Trip Abroad Cost You Your Status? Re-entry Permits vs. Deemed Re-entry Permits
A guide for foreign residents of Japan leaving and re-entering: the difference between the deemed re-entry permit (one year) and the re-entry permit (up to five years), the procedure, and deadlines that are easy to miss.
Does Buying Property in Japan Get You a Visa?
No. Buying or owning property is not a requirement for any residence status. To live in Japan long term and run a property-related business yourself, you must separately meet the criteria for a status such as Business Manager.
When Should You Apply to Renew Your Period of Stay in Japan? The 3-Month Window and the Special Extension Period
You can generally apply to extend your period of stay about three months before it expires. This guide covers timing, typical documents, what happens if your status expires during review, and common pitfalls.
Moved or Changed Jobs? The 14-Day Rule for Residence Card Notifications
Foreign residents with a residence card must notify authorities within a set period after moving, changing jobs or divorcing. Here is what to report, where, and the risks of being late.
Moved House? Updating Your Residence Card Address Within 14 Days and the Risks of Waiting
How to update the address on your Japanese residence card after moving: moving-out, moving-in and within-city notifications, the 14-day deadline, the risks of failing to report, the ideas behind Immigration Act Articles 19-9 and 22-4 and Basic Resident Registration Act Articles 22 to 24, and how it fits with renting or buying.
Starting a Company in Japan? New Business Manager Visa Rules and How to Prepare
The October 16, 2025 ministerial revision tightened the Business Manager status. Here is what the ¥30 million capital rule, full-time staff and Japanese-language criteria mean in practice.
Married a Japanese Citizen? Spouse Visa Rules Explained
A practical guide to the 'Spouse or Child of Japanese National' status of residence: who qualifies, required documents, typical validity periods, the path toward permanent residency, and the 14-day notification duty if the marriage ends.
- What is the 'Spouse or Child of Japanese National' status?
- How is it different from other statuses? (no work restrictions)
- What documents are required? (the questionnaire and marriage certificate)
- How is the length of stay decided? (5, 3, 1 years or 6 months)
- When can you apply for permanent residency? (the roughly 3-year guideline)
- What happens after divorce or the death of a spouse? (the 14-day notification duty)
Can a Short-Term Visa Bring Your Parents to Japan? Options for Family Reunification as Society Ages
As Japan's elderly population reaches a record high, more people living in Japan wonder how to bring aging parents over — even temporarily. Here's how short-term and dependent visas differ, and what each does and doesn't allow.
How Does China's New Exit-Entry Rules Affect Chinese Nationals in Japan? 4 Points on the Rules That Took Effect September 15
China's State Council issued the Regulations on Exit-Entry Administration (State Council Order No. 841), which took effect on September 15, 2026. Here are the four pillars and what they may mean for Chinese nationals living in Japan or visiting family back home.
- What actually changed? The four pillars of the new regulation
- "Application reasons must be true and lawful" — how does this relate to visa and residency paperwork?
- When can someone be barred from leaving? The link to technology and industrial security
- What should Chinese nationals in Japan and their visiting family prepare?
Will Permanent Residency Get Harder to Obtain? Japan's Proposed Income, Pension, and Spousal Rule Changes
Since July 2026, reports have described tighter income and pension requirements for Japan's permanent residency. Here is what is — and isn't — official yet, and what to prepare now.
- What Are the Basic Requirements for Permanent Residency?
- What Does the July 2026 'Tightening' Actually Say?
- How Would the Spousal Provision's Marriage and Residence Periods Change?
- Which Standard Applies, and to Applications Filed When?
- Could Unpaid Taxes or Pension Contributions Lead to Losing Permanent Residency?
What Happens to Technical Intern Training? Preparing Now for Japan's 2027 'Ikusei Shuro' Switch
Applications for the new visa framework replacing Technical Intern Training — 'Ikusei Shuro' (Employment for Skill Development) — opened on 1 September 2026, ahead of its full launch on 1 April 2027. Here's what current interns and hiring companies can check now.
How Much Will Your Residence Status Renewal Cost? Japan's October 2026 Fee Changes Explained
On August 25, 2026, Japan's government finalized the revised fee schedule for residence procedures. Starting with applications from October 1, permanent residence fees are set to rise from ¥10,000 to ¥200,000, and status change/renewal fees to a maximum of ¥75,000. Here's what's changing, when, and by how much.
Can You Keep Working in Japan After Graduation? Switching from a Student to a Work Visa
For international students graduating from a Japanese university or vocational school, here's what the change-of-status application for a work visa actually checks, and how to prepare.
Can You Get a Business Manager Visa Just by Buying Property in Japan? Capital and Business Plan Essentials
With foreign visitor numbers to Japan falling year on year for the first time in five years in the first half of 2026, interest in relocating through property investment and a business manager visa hasn't slowed. Here's what actually gets checked around capital, office space, and the business plan.
Can Buying Property in Japan Get You a Long-Term Visa? What the Business Manager Visa Actually Requires
Owning real estate in Japan doesn't grant residency status. Here's what the Business Manager visa actually requires — investment thresholds, office requirements, and what gets checked at renewal.
How Many Years to Permanent Residence in Japan? Terms and Fast Tracks
The core requirements for permanent residence, how the Highly Skilled Professional points system shortens the residence term, and the tax and pension records to get in order first.
What Does the Business Manager Visa Require After the October 2025 Reform?
The October 2025 amendment raised the capital threshold to ¥30 million and added new conditions. Here is the current picture, and how real estate can qualify as a genuine business.
Laws Covered in This Category
- Basic Resident Registration Act, Article 22
- Moved House? Updating Your Residence Card Address Within 14 Days and the Risks of Waiting
- Basic Resident Registration Act, Article 23
- Moved House? Updating Your Residence Card Address Within 14 Days and the Risks of Waiting
- Basic Resident Registration Act, Article 24
- Moved House? Updating Your Residence Card Address Within 14 Days and the Risks of Waiting
- Guidelines for Permanent Residence Permission (revised February 24, 2026)
- Will Permanent Residency Get Harder to Obtain? Japan's Proposed Income, Pension, and Spousal Rule Changes
- Guidelines on Permanent Residence Permission (revised 24 February 2026)
- How Many Years to Permanent Residence in Japan? Terms and Fast Tracks
- Immigration Control Act, Appended Table I (2), 'Business Manager'
- What Does the Business Manager Visa Require After the October 2025 Reform?
- Immigration Control Act, Appended Table I(2), "Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services"
- Can You Keep Working in Japan After Graduation? Switching from a Student to a Work Visa
- Immigration Control Act, Art. 23
- Will a Trip Abroad Cost You Your Status? Re-entry Permits vs. Deemed Re-entry Permits
- Immigration Control Act, Art. 26
- Will a Trip Abroad Cost You Your Status? Re-entry Permits vs. Deemed Re-entry Permits
- Immigration Control Act, Art. 26-2
- Will a Trip Abroad Cost You Your Status? Re-entry Permits vs. Deemed Re-entry Permits
- Immigration Control Act, Article 19-2
- Can You Keep Working in Japan After Graduation? Switching from a Student to a Work Visa
- Immigration Control Act, Article 22
- How Many Years to Permanent Residence in Japan? Terms and Fast Tracks
- Immigration Control Act, Article 22 (Permanent Residence Permission)
- Will Permanent Residency Get Harder to Obtain? Japan's Proposed Income, Pension, and Spousal Rule Changes
- Immigration Control Act, Article 7(1)(ii)
- What Does the Business Manager Visa Require After the October 2025 Reform?
- Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act (入管法)
- What Happens to Technical Intern Training? Preparing Now for Japan's 2027 'Ikusei Shuro' Switch
- Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, Appended Table 2 (別表第二)
- Married a Japanese Citizen? Spouse Visa Rules Explained
- Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, Appended Table I-2 (Business Manager)
- Starting a Company in Japan? New Business Manager Visa Rules and How to Prepare
- Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, Appended Table I-2, 'Business Manager'
- Can You Get a Business Manager Visa Just by Buying Property in Japan? Capital and Business Plan Essentials
- Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, Appended Table I, Category 2, 'Business Manager'
- Does Buying Property in Japan Get You a Visa?
- Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, Appended Table I, Table 3, "Temporary Visitor"
- Can a Short-Term Visa Bring Your Parents to Japan? Options for Family Reunification as Society Ages
- Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, Art. 19-9
- Moved or Changed Jobs? The 14-Day Rule for Residence Card Notifications
- Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, Art. 21(1)
- When Should You Apply to Renew Your Period of Stay in Japan? The 3-Month Window and the Special Extension Period
- Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, Article 19-16
- Do You Need to Notify Immigration When You Change Jobs? Reporting Your Employer and the Certificate of Authorized Employment
- Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, Article 19-2
- Do You Need to Notify Immigration When You Change Jobs? Reporting Your Employer and the Certificate of Authorized Employment
- Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, Article 19-9
- Moved House? Updating Your Residence Card Address Within 14 Days and the Risks of Waiting
- Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, Article 20
- Does Buying Property in Japan Get You a Visa?
- Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, Article 20, Paragraph 1
- Do You Need to Notify Immigration When You Change Jobs? Reporting Your Employer and the Certificate of Authorized Employment
- Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, Article 22-4
- Moved House? Updating Your Residence Card Address Within 14 Days and the Risks of Waiting
- Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, Article 22-4, Paragraph 1
- Do You Need to Notify Immigration When You Change Jobs? Reporting Your Employer and the Certificate of Authorized Employment
- Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, Article 67
- How Much Will Your Residence Status Renewal Cost? Japan's October 2026 Fee Changes Explained
- Ministerial Ordinance on Landing Permission Criteria (as amended, effective 16 October 2025)
- What Does the Business Manager Visa Require After the October 2025 Reform?
- Ministerial Ordinance Setting Criteria under Article 7, Paragraph 1, Item 2 of the Act (Business Manager entry)
- Can You Get a Business Manager Visa Just by Buying Property in Japan? Capital and Business Plan Essentials
- Order for Enforcement of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act
- How Much Will Your Residence Status Renewal Cost? Japan's October 2026 Fee Changes Explained
- Ordinance for Enforcement of the Immigration Control Act, Appended Table I-3
- Does Buying Property in Japan Get You a Visa?
- Regulations on Exit-Entry Administration (State Council Order No. 841), provision on application requirements
- How Does China's New Exit-Entry Rules Affect Chinese Nationals in Japan? 4 Points on the Rules That Took Effect September 15
- Revised Immigration Control Act (scheduled to take effect April 1, 2027)
- Will Permanent Residency Get Harder to Obtain? Japan's Proposed Income, Pension, and Spousal Rule Changes
- Same Act, Appended Table I, Table 2, "Care Worker"
- Can a Short-Term Visa Bring Your Parents to Japan? Options for Family Reunification as Society Ages
- Same Act, Appended Table I, Table 2, "Dependent"
- Can a Short-Term Visa Bring Your Parents to Japan? Options for Family Reunification as Society Ages
- Same Act, Art. 19-10
- Moved or Changed Jobs? The 14-Day Rule for Residence Card Notifications
- Same Act, Art. 19-16
- Moved or Changed Jobs? The 14-Day Rule for Residence Card Notifications
- Same Act, Art. 21(3)
- When Should You Apply to Renew Your Period of Stay in Japan? The 3-Month Window and the Special Extension Period
- Same Act, Art. 21(4)
- When Should You Apply to Renew Your Period of Stay in Japan? The 3-Month Window and the Special Extension Period
- Same Act, Art. 22-4, para. 1
- Moved or Changed Jobs? The 14-Day Rule for Residence Card Notifications
- Same Act, Art. 70(1)(v)
- When Should You Apply to Renew Your Period of Stay in Japan? The 3-Month Window and the Special Extension Period
- Same Act, Article 20
- Starting a Company in Japan? New Business Manager Visa Rules and How to Prepare
- Same Act, Article 21
- Starting a Company in Japan? New Business Manager Visa Rules and How to Prepare
- Same Act, Article 7, Paragraph 1, Item 2
- Starting a Company in Japan? New Business Manager Visa Rules and How to Prepare
- Same regulation, provision on false declarations
- How Does China's New Exit-Entry Rules Affect Chinese Nationals in Japan? 4 Points on the Rules That Took Effect September 15
- Technical Intern Training Act (技能実習法)
- What Happens to Technical Intern Training? Preparing Now for Japan's 2027 'Ikusei Shuro' Switch