CHANGE OF RESIDENCE STATUS

If a foreign national who resides in Japan wishes to change the activity that is the purpose
of his/her residence (example: a student visa holder who wants to seek employment
after graduation, etc.), he/she must receive permission for change of status of
residence for the new activity.

      If a foreign resident in Japan intends to engage in an unauthorized activity under his/her current status of residence, and such unauthorized activity falls under other status of residence, then the foreign resident must apply to the Ministry of Justice for change of status of residence in accordance with the applicable procedures as set forth in the Immigration Control Act Enforcement Regulations.
   In line with the introduction of the new residency management system (started on July 9, 2012), a foreign resident with "Spouse or Child of Japanese National" or "Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident" status who have failed to engage in activities as a spouse for six months or more without justifiable reason will be subjected to revocation of the said foreign resident status. One common example are of those foreign residents with the said status who got divorced. Because revocation of resident status will be enforced to this case, the foreign resident who wishes to still remain and live in Japan must apply a change of residence status (example: from Spouse or Child of Japanese National to Long Term Resident, etc.) in order to engage in activities such as employment or whatever is applicable to the new resident status.

We support the acquisition and preparation of documents for the visa applications. We can also submit the application of visa on your behalf. Please do not hesitate to
contact us for more information.