Visa
By When Must a Company’s Capital Be Increased to 30 Million Yen or More for the "Business Manager" Status of Residence?New!!
Due to a revision of the requirements for the "Business Manager" status of residence, the criterion for the total amount of property has been amended to: "The total amount of property allocated for the business pertaining to the application (including the amount of capital and the total amount of investment) must be 30 million yen […]
Misconception: Holding a "Construction Site Manager" Title Does Not Allow Individuals with an "Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services" Status of Residence to Perform Manual Site Work
Recently, we received an inquiry asking, "Can an employee with the 'Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services' status of residence perform manual on-site work if their title is 'Site Manager'?" In the construction industry, the scope of work permitted under the "Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services" status of residence is strictly limited to intellectual duties—such as planning, management, […]
Key Points to Keep in Mind When Foreign Nationals Change Jobs
It is not uncommon for individuals holding a work visa (status of residence) such as "Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services" to change jobs. However, there are crucial points you must keep in mind during this transition. The most critical period to watch out for is any gap (unemployed period) between the day you leave your previous […]
Points to Note Regarding the Specified Residence Card
Starting June 14, 2026, the operation of the "Specified Residence Card" (Tokutei Zairyu Card) has commenced. This new card integrates the conventional residence card and the My Number Card into a single card.Previously, foreign residents were required to carry both cards separately. By switching to the Specified Residence Card, you will only need to carry one. Furthermore, […]
The Critical Difference Between the 30-Day and 31-Day "Designated Activities" Status of Residence
In the context of the Status of Residence, if an Application for Extension of Period of Stay or an Application for Change of Status of Residence is examined and subsequently denied, the applicant will be granted the "Designated Activities (Preparation for Departure)" status.There are two possibilities for the period of stay granted under this "Designated Activities (Preparation […]
Points of Caution When Changing from a "Business Manager" Visa to Other Statuses of Residence
OverviewDue to the tightening of requirements for the "Business Manager" visa, we are seeing an increasing number of cases where individuals decide to step down from company management to seek employment. Consequently, they change their status of residence to work visas such as "Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services."A common issue in these transitions is failing to properly settle the […]
Important Considerations When Renewing Your Working Visa
For those holding a working visa (Status of Residence) such as "Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services," applying for an Extension of Period of Stay is an unavoidable step to continue working in Japan.You might think, "I'm working hard at my current company, so I'll be fine." However, during the renewal screening, your entire past residency […]
Key Points for Hiring Foreign Nationals for Interpretation and Translation Roles
Many companies, such as those in the hospitality industry, employ foreign nationals for front-desk operations and similar roles. On Wednesday, April 15, 2026, the Japanese government released updated guidelines regarding the "Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services" status of residence. Specifically, these updates clarify the requirements for "interpersonal duties involving linguistic skills, such as translation and interpretation."The […]
New Required Documents for "Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services" Visa Applications
For applications submitted on or after Wednesday, April 15, 2026, organizations falling under Category 3 or 4 are now required to submit the following additional documents: Regarding Japanese language proficiency, applicants will be deemed to possess proficiency equivalent to CEFR B2 if they meet any of the following criteria:
Launch of the "Specified Residence Card" System Starting June 14, 2026
Based on the "Act to Partially Amend the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act," which was promulgated on June 21, 2024, the new "Specified Residence Card" (Tokutei Zairyu Card) system will officially begin on June 14, 2026.This Specified Residence Card integrates the My Number Card with the Residence Card. Previously, after renewing a period of […]