It’s easy to change visa status in Japan if you understand the correct procedure. This article is intended to make you understand the entire process while changing visa status in Japan.
There might be various situations that foreign nationals need to change their visa status to stay in Japan legally.
Before jumping into the main procedures, we want to notify you that —- this guideline is not for those trying to change their status to Permanent Resident. There are different procedures for changing your visa status to Permanent Resident.
If you are trying to change your visa status to Permanent Resident — you can find the information in this link; OR — you can find the information from the link mention below.
If you are trying to change your visa status other than Permanent Resident, then keep on reading. This guideline applies to you.
Foreign nationals, including the following situations but not limited, need to apply for changing visa status in Japan.
- If you are a student or dependent visa holder and found full-time work after graduation.
- Foreign nationals after you married or divorced Japanese citizens.
- Once if you change your jobs to a different category or industry of work.
- Or if you are trying to start a business in Japan.
Note that it is also possible to change the Tourist Visa (temporary visitor visa) to another type of visa in Japan. For that instance, a Certificate of Eligibility (CEO) should be issued within the validity of your temporary visitor visa. If the CEO is not issued, it is impossible to change the temporary visitor visa to another type of visa except if you are married to Japanese nationals.
The foremost thing that you should understand is that all foreign nationals trying to change their visa status in Japan should apply to change their visa status at the nearest Immigration Office.
Find — Nearest Immigration Office
Sometimes, if you apply for a change of residence status just before your current visa expires, you will get a two-month extension. In that period, your application will be processed, and you will get the result.
Process to Change Visa Status in Japan
Step 1
Find the nearest regional immigration office or immigration information center. It is better to get the documentation information per your circumstances. The immigration officer or the staff in the information center can guide you through the various additional documentation per your circumstances.
Step 2
Apply change of status of residence with the supporting documents.
For the required documents to change visa status in Japan, find the link given below.
According to the status, you are trying to change, the application form for change of residence status is different.
Find — Application Form for Change of Status of Residence of All Types
You should submit the application package at the service counter at the regional immigration office.
Step 3
After two to four weeks of applying for the status change, you will receive a residence postcard of change of status in your mail.
Step 4
After you receive the resident postcards of change of status, you need to cancel the stamp of your old visa sticker to obtain the newly updated visa status sticker. You can visit your nearest regional immigration office with your change of status postcard, passport, and other valid identification.
This will complete the procedure to change visa status in Japan.
After you apply, the Minister of Justice may grant permission only when he/she finds that there are reasonable grounds to grant the change of status of residence on the strength of your documents.
If you have a criminal record, honestly speaking it is very few possibilities that you will get your status changed.
The fee for changing residence status is 4,000 yen, and payment must be made with revenue stamps.
If you are not sure how you should fill the application for a change of status form, you can visit the nearest regional immigration office or immigration information center.
The regional immigration office or immigration information center is open from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm on weekdays.
Disclaimer:
We are not related to any advisory and consulting companies. All the information herein is published in good faith and for general information purpose only and not for providing legal advice. You should contact your attorney to obtain advice for any issue or problem.
Source:
This content is prepared with reference to the official website of the Japanese Immigration Bureau.
You can visit the website of the Japanese Immigration Bureau from the following link.