If you are currently staying in Japan with a certain VISA STATUS and already hold a RESIDENCE CARD, but intend to engage in an activity that is not permitted under your current visa, you are required to apply for a CHANGE of VISA STATUS before starting that new activity.

You cannot engage in any activities that are not permitted under your current visa status, or apply for permission to work in a different field.

If you wish to continue staying in Japan but plan to engage in a different type of activity, you should first consider whether there is another visa status suitable for your situation, and whether you meet its requirements, before changing your activity.

If your new activity is within the same category as that allowed under your current visa status, you don’t need to apply for a Change of Visa Status – except for certain visa types such as the Highly Skilled Professional (HSP) or others that specifically require this application. However, it is important to confirm that your new job duties are indeed appropriate for your current visa status.

EXAMPLE SITUATIONS

Here are some examples of situations where you need to apply for a Change of Visa Status:

  • You are currently holding a Student visa, but you wish to look for a job in Japan after graduation, or you have already found an employer who is willing to hire you and to sponsor your visa.
  • You are currently holding an Engineer/Humanities (Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services) visa, but you plan to leave your current job and start your own business in Japan by setting up a company.
  • You are currently holding a work-type visa status, but you are going to resign from your job in order to enroll in a university in Japan.
  • You are currently holding a Spouse of Japanese National visa, but you have divorced or your Japanese spouse has passed away.
  • You are currently holding a Highly Skilled Professional (HSP) visa as a software engineer. You have left your previous company and found a new one where you can continue working as a software engineer and maintain an HSP score of 70 points or higher.
Contents
  1. WHEN and WHERE TO APPLY
  2. BASIC REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
  3. APPLICATION FEE
  4. PROCESS of APPLICATION
  5. IN CASE OF DENIAL
fabicon i-socia Advisors

WHEN and WHERE TO APPLY

When to Apply

You must apply for a Change of Visa Status before engaging in any new activity that is not permitted under your current visa status.

In principle, you are not allowed to start the new activity until your new Residence Card is issued after the Change of Visa Status application is approved, or unless you have obtained special permission to engage in another activity.

When you plan to change visa status to one that falls under the activity-based visa status category, you should first check whether there is a visa type applicable to your new activity, and whether you circumstances meet the necessary requirements before applying for the Change of Visa Status.

In some cases, careful preparation is required before applying for a Change of Visa Status.
For visa types related to marriage or birth – such as the Spouse/Child of Japanese National visa – you must apply only after completing all necessary registration procedures for the marriage or birth.

If you are applying for a Change of Visa Status to Business Manager, you will need to prepare thoroughly, as you must establish a company and be ready to start your business before submitting the visa application.

We recommend that you carefully consider the timing of your Change of Visa Status application, especially if the expiry date of your current visa is coming soon. If your application is denied after the Grace/Special Period, you will no longer be allowed to stay in Japan under your current visa status.

Where to Apply

Your application must be submitted to the Immigration Office that has jurisdiction over your place of residence.

fabicon i-socia Advisors

BASIC REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

The required documents vary depending on the visa type you are applying for.

In general, you will need to provide documents that prove your eligibility for the new visa status. In most cases, these documents are similar to those required for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) application.

To check the specific documents required for your case, refer to the following page and find the visa status that applies to you >> LIST of VISA STATUS

fabicon i-socia Advisors

APPLICATION FEE

The Immigration Office charges an Immigration Tax (government fee) as listed below:
* No tax or government fee will be charged if the application is denied.

  • [Application submitted by 31 March 2025] 4,000 yen
  • [Online application submitted on or after 1 April 2025] 5,500 yen
  • [In-person application submitted on or after 1 April 2025] 6,000 yen

The tax is payable by revenue stamp (収入印紙 shunyu-inshi) when you receive your new Residence Card for the approved visa status. If you hire an immigration lawyer, their professional fee and any actual expenses (such as certificate fees, postage, or travel costs) are charged separately, in addition to the Immigration Tax.

fabicon i-socia Advisors

PROCESS of APPLICATION

Standard Processing Period

The standard processing time for a Change of Visa Status application is about 2 – 8 weeks after submitting the application.

However, the actual period may vary depending on factors such as your individual case, the timing of your application, the level of congestion at the Immigration Office, and the specific office or branch where you submit the application. In some cases, it may take more than one month. Not that applications submitted to the Tokyo Immigration Office (in Shinagawa) may take twice the standard processing period or much longer.

The Immigration Office cannot provide any updates or guarantee the schedule of the screening or the date of the decision.

Basic Process

  1. Identify the specific visa status you wish to apply for and confirm that your circumstances meet the eligibility requirements.
    ↓
  2. Identify your visa sponsor (organization or individual): The person or organization that can act as your visa sponsor depends on the type of visa. In general, if you are applying for a Change of Visa Status to work in Japan, your prospective employer should act as your visa sponsor. For a Spouse of Japanese National visa, your Japanese spouse should be your visa sponsor.
    ↓
  3. Prepare and collect the necessary documents: If you hire an immigration lawyer, they can assist with the entire process on behalf of both you and your visa sponsor, after assessing whether you are likely to be eligible for the visa status.
    ↓
  4. Submit the application: You and your visa sponsor must sign the application form and submit the required documents to the relevant Immigration Office.
    NOTE: The applicant must be physically present in Japan at the time of submitting the Change of Visa Status application, even if it is submitted online. During the screening period, the applicant may leave and re-enter Japan for travel or other personal reasons.
    ↓
    Processing period at the Immigration Office: about 2 – 8 weeks
    The Immigration Office may request additional documents. In that case, the processing period may be extended.
    NOTE: The screening period may vary depending on factors such as your individual case, the timing of your application, the level of congestion at the Immigration Office, and the specific office or branch where you submit the application.
    ↓
  5. If the application is approved: A postcard notifying the approval will be sent to your address (or to your immigration lawyer, if you have hired one).
    * If the application is denied, refer to the section IN CASE OF DENIAL for information on the next steps.
    ↓
  6. Issuance of your new Residence Card:
    * If you have hired an immigration lawyer, they will handle this process on your behalf.
    [If you pick up your new card at the Immigration Office]
    You must visit the Immigration Office in person by the date stated on the postcard notice to receive your new Residence Card. You need to bring the necessary documents listed on the postcard notice, such as your current Resident Card and passport. You will need to pay the Immigration Tax (government fee) by affixing the required amount of revenue stamps to the Certificate for Payment Fee (手数料納付書).
    [If you receive your new card by mail (for online application only)]
    After receiving the email notice, send the necessary documents listed on the notice, such as a printed copy of the email notice, your current Residence Card, and the Certificate for Payment Fee (手数料納付書) affixed with the required amount of the revenue stamps to pay the Immigration Tax (government fee).
    ↓
  7. After you receive your new Residence Card, you may officially start engaging in the new activities permitted under your new visa status.

POINTS TO NOTE

  • In case you hire an immigration lawyer for your application: Your immigration lawyer will handle the entire process on your behalf. The Immigration Office will communicate directly with your immigration lawyer whenever necessary.
  • You must be physically present in Japan at the time of both submitting your application and receiving your new Resident Card, even if you submit the application online or hire an immigration lawyer to handle your application.
  • You may travel outside Japan during the screening period. However, you must return to Japan and receive your new Residence Card before the end of the Grace/Special Period (特例期間).
  • You are required to notify the Immigration Office of any changes in the information stated on your application form or in your supporting documents.
  • The Immigration Office cannot provide information regarding the progress or expected completion date of your application screening.
fabicon i-socia Advisors

IN CASE OF DENIAL

If your Change of Visa Status application is denied, a written notice of denial will be sent to you or your visa sponsor (or your immigration lawyer, if you have hired one). The notice will include the main reason for the denial in general format.

You must visit the Immigration Office with the notice to confirm the detailed reason for the denial and to discuss the next steps. If the reason is not critical and can be resolved, you may reapply as soon as the issue is corrected. However, if the reason is critical and difficult to resolve, you will need to consider alternative options or prepare to leave Japan.

NOTE: If you have hired an immigration lawyer, they will handle the process on your behalf. However, in some cases, the applicant must also appear in person together with the immigration lawyer to confirm the detailed reason for the denial.

IF YOUR CURRENT VISA STATUS (BEFORE APPLYING FOR THE CHANGE) HAS ALREADY EXPIRED AT THE TIME OF DENIAL

When you visit the Immigration Office with the notice of denial, your expired Residence Card will be invalidated, and you will be granted a temporary DESIGNATED ACTIVITIES (for DEPARTURE) visa status to prepare for leaving Japan. The period of stay under this visa is generally 30 or 31 days, depending on your individual circumstances.

  • If you are granted a DESIGNATED ACTIVITIES (for DEPARTURE) visa status with a period of 31 days or longer, you may apply for a Change of Visa Status by the expiry date if you can find a visa category that fits your situation.
  • If you are granted a DESIGNATED ACTIVITIES (for DEPARTURE) visa status with a period of 30 days or less, you must leave Japan before the visa expires.

If you decide to leave Japan, you must complete the necessary procedures at your city or ward office, Pension Office (年金事務所), bank, and other related institutions before departure. If you leave Japan without submitting the required notifications or fail to settle any remaining taxes or payments, it may cause problems when you apply to enter Japan again or when you apply for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) in the future.

fabicon i-socia Advisors