How to apply for a status of residence

1) Where to apply?  　 

An application for residence status is submitted to the Immigration Services Agency.

The Immigration Services Agency is an agency that examines and confirms the immigration status of Japanese and foreign nationals when they enter (or return to) Japan, they also handle procedures for foreigners who have entered Japan to continue their stay in Japan.

Applications should be submitted to the Regional Immigration Office responsible for the proposed place of residence or host institution.

The application may be submitted by the applicant or a representative who meets one of the following conditions

(1) An employee of a public body whose purpose is to facilitate the smooth reception of foreign nationals.

Those recognised as such by the Director of the Regional Immigration Office.

(2) A lawyer or a notary public who has notified the Director of the Regional Immigration Office.

A lawyer or administrative scrivener notified by the Director of the Regional Immigration and Residence Management Office.

(3) The applicant's legal representative.

2) Documentation required for the application   

The following two documentations are common and necessary for all residence statuses.

-An application form for a Certificate of Eligibility (1 copy)

-Two photographs (4 cm x 3 cm)

　(Taken within 3 months of application, clear, no cap, no background, upper half of body)

　(One must be attached to the application form and one must be submitted with the applicant's name written on the back)

In addition to the above, the applicant must submit an application form and documentation appropriate to the residence status for which he/she is applying.

Details can be found on the Immigration Services Agency website.

The following is the application process for foreign nationals residing abroad to obtain residence status and enter Japan.

① Obtaining a "Certificate of Eligibility”

To enter Japan, you must first obtain a "Certificate of Eligibility" before obtaining a visa.

Submit an application to the nearest Regional Immigration Office and obtain the Certificate of Eligibility.

As the person wishing to enter Japan is usually abroad at this time, and the documentation is specialized and complicated, it is advisable to use a specialist such as an administrative scribe to prepare and submit the documents.

The Certificate of Eligibility usually takes one to three months to process, so early preparation is essential.

It is now possible to apply for a Certificate of Eligibility online.

Please click here for details.

②Obtaining a visa

After receiving the Certificate of Eligibility, the foreigner wishing to enter Japan must go through the visa application process at the local Japanese embassy or consulate.

③Entry into Japan → Residence

The foreigner enters Japan with the visa and the "Certificate of Eligibility" and receives a resident card at the airport.

After that, it is possible to stay in Japan within the scope of activities specified in each residence status.

The resident card is a kind of certificate that allows you to stay in Japan based on your residency status, and includes your name, date of birth, gender, nationality/region, place of residence, residence status, length of stay and whether or not you can work.　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　

(Image: Immigration and Residency Management Agency, "What is a residence card? 

4) Approval, renewal and change of residence status

There are three types of applications for residence status.

①Approval of residence status

When a foreigner obtains status of residence in Japan for the first time, as in the case described above, they will go through the procedures for "approval" of status of residence.

②Renewal

Each status of residence has its own length of stay. If you wish to remain in Japan with the same status of residence beyond the period of stay, you must go through the "renewal" procedure.

Please be sure to renew your status of residence before the expiration of the period of stay.

③Change of status

If for any reason you want to stay in Japan with a different status from the one you had before, you need to "change" your status.

For example, if you, a foreigner, has been in Japan as a "college student" and finds employment in Japan as a care worker, you should apply for a change of residence status from "college student" to "care worker".

Thus, there are three types of applications for residence status, and the format of the application form to be used for each of the certification, renewal and change of residence status applications is also different.

The application forms can be downloaded from the links below.

Certificate of Eligibility: "Application for Certificate of Eligibility" from the Immigration and Residence Management Agency

Extension: "Application for Permission to Extend the Period of Stay from the Immigration and Residence Management Agency

Change of Status: "Application for Permission to Change Residence Status" from the Immigration and Residence Service

You can also find more information about obtaining a residence permit, changing your residence status and renewing your residence status on this page.

 Please read this as well.