Residency Requirement for Naturalization Revised from 5 to 10 YearsNew!!
Previously, one of the key requirements for naturalization was the residency requirement of "having resided in Japan continuously for at least five years." In other words, if an applicant had lived in Japan for five consecutive years and met other necessary criteria, they were eligible to apply for Japanese citizenship.In contrast, applying for Permanent Residency […]
What to Do After Renewing Your Residence Card
Foreign residents living in Japan hold a Residence Card (Zairyu Card), which has an expiration date (with the exception of Special Permanent Residents). To continue staying in Japan beyond this date, you must apply for and receive an "Extension of Period of Stay." Once your extension is successfully granted and you receive your new Residence Card, […]
To Companies Employing Foreign Nationals
Companies that employ full-time employees are legally obligated to enroll in labor and social insurance.However, some companies remain un-enrolled despite having this legal obligation. In the past, even if a company employing a foreign national was not enrolled in these insurance programs, the employee's application for an extension of period of stay was sometimes granted. […]
New Documentation Requirements for "Intra-company Transferee" Status
Starting April 1, 2026, individuals residing in Japan under the "Intra-company Transferee" status will be required to submit the following additional documents: Previously, immigration authorities occasionally requested photographs or other materials regarding the overseas office. However, moving forward, it is mandatory to present documents confirming the physical and operational existence of both the office prior to the transfer and the office in […]
Key Considerations When Accepting "Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services" Visa Holders via Temporary Staffing
Some companies choose to accept foreign nationals holding the "Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services" residence status through temporary staffing agencies (haken) rather than direct employment.The critical point to remember is that the specific duties performed at the host company must fall within the scope of activities permitted under the "Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services" visa.If the worker is assigned to tasks […]
A 5-Year Period of Stay Will Be Required for Permanent Residency Applications
Under the standard requirements for a Permanent Residency application, applicants must hold the longest period of stay permitted for their current status, as specified in the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act. Until now, as a provisional measure, individuals with a 3-year period of stay were eligible to apply.However, following the revision of the Guidelines for Permission […]
Is There a Risk of Japanese Naturalization Being Revoked?
Recently, there have been discussions suggesting that it should be possible to revoke the Japanese citizenship of naturalized individuals. In fact, some foreign nationals who visit our office express concern, asking, "Even if I naturalize, is there a risk that my Japanese citizenship could be taken away?"However, Japan does not recognize dual citizenship. Since naturalized […]
When an Application for Permanent Residency is Denied
If your application for a change of residence status is denied, you will receive a notification from the Immigration Services Bureau requesting your appearance. Upon reporting to the Bureau as instructed, you will receive an explanation regarding the reasons for the denial, as well as guidance on how to proceed.In the case of applications for […]
Procedures for Foreign Residents When a Child is Born in Japan
Foreign nationals residing in Japan hold a specific status of residence based on their activities in the country. Accordingly, if a child is born to foreign residents in Japan, an application must be filed to obtain a status of residence for that child. This application must be submitted within 30 days of the child's birth. To file this […]
Understanding the "30 Million Yen Total Wealth" Requirement for the "Business Manager" Status
The requirements for the "Business Manager" status of residence have been revised. One of the key changes concerns the total amount of wealth required: "The total amount of wealth allocated for the business pertaining to the application (including the amount of capital and total investment) must be 30 million yen or more." For corporations (such […]