Update: New Residence Cards from 14 June 2026
The format of the Residence Card will change from 14 June 2026. Please note that information such as Period of Stay, Date of Approval, and Type of Application will no …
Request for Disclosure of Documents Submitted to Immigration Office
You can request the disclosure of application documents previously submitted to the Immigration Office. This applies to documents submitted by yourself, your visa sponsor, or your immigration lawyer (Gyoseishoshi) to …
Graduating in March and changing your visa from Student to Work? Submit your application by the end of January.
If you will graduate from a Japanese university (or equivalent) in March and planning to change your visa status from Student to Work, please note that you should submit your …
Significant Amendment to the Requirements and Criteria for the “Business Manager (経営・管理)” Visa Status, Effective from 16 October 2025
The Immigration Office announced detailed information today regarding the amendment to the requirements and criteria for the Business Manager (BM) visa status. The new rules will take effect on 16 …
“TUBERCULOSIS (TB) CLEARANCE CERTIFICATE / 結核非発病証明書” is mandatory for Vietnamese at the time of COE application
From the 1st of September 2025, submission of a “TUBERCULOSIS (TB) CLEARANCE CERTIFICATE / 結核非発病証明書“ is mandatory for nationals of Vietnam at the time of COE application for a visa …
Beware of MyNumber card duration; you must check with your local city/ward office before your MyNumber card expires.
For non-Japanese residents in Japan on a visa with a set expiration date, the MyNumber card expires on the same date as the Residence Card. (* Visa holders without a …
“TUBERCULOSIS (TB) CLEARANCE CERTIFICATE / 結核非発病証明書” is mandatory for nationals of the Philippines and Nepal at the time of the COE application
From June 23rd, 2025, submission of a “TUBERCULOSIS (TB) CLEARANCE CERTIFICATE / 結核非発病証明書“ is mandatory for nationals of the Philippines and Nepal at the time of COE application for a …
BEWARE of SUSPENSION of JAPANESE BANK ACCOUNT
In order to prevent criminal activity related to unlawful transfer of bank accounts, Japanese banks may suspend your Japanese bank account after your current period of stay is expired even …
English teachers on INSTRUCTOR visa cannot work at private language schools: need to change visa status or obtain permission
If you are currently on INSTRUCTOR visa status as an English teacher or ATL (assistant language teacher) and are considering working at private language schools, remember that you cannot engage …
Immigration Office ANNOUNCEMENT: “JUST WAIT” until you receive their notice
Last month, we informed that the screening time of all types of applications at the Immigration Office has been getting longer and longer. On 16 Oct 2024, the Immigration Office …