Section 2. Visas and Status of Residence

2.2 Relation between visa and status of residence

Within the context of entry and residence procedures, visa and status of residence are two terms easily and often confused.

2.2.1 Visa

A visa can be said to resemble a letter of recommendation required for entry into Japan received in advance from a Japanese diplomatic mission abroad and attached to the passport that certifies that the passport is valid and that there are no impediments to allowing the passport holder to enter Japan within the scope of that visa (however, as discussed later in 2.6 and 2.8 below, this visa requirement does not apply to entry by nationals of countries with which Japan has reciprocal visa exemption arrangements for temporary visitor or to entry by foreign nationals having re-entry permission).

2.2.2 Status of residence

Foreign nationals entering and residing in Japan must generally receive landing permission upon arriving at their port of entry, at which time their status of residence in Japan will be determined. In other words, the status of residence constitutes the grounds on which a foreign national is permitted to stay in Japan; it is a qualification enabling the foreign national to carry out the activities stipulated in the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act and to reside in Japan for the purpose of carrying out those particular activities. The scope of activities in which a foreign national may engage during his/her stay in Japan is determined according to his/her status of residence. Except where a permit to engage in an activity other than that permitted by the status of residence is obtained, the foreign national must not, in principle, engage in any activities generating an income other than those permitted by his/her status of residence while in Japan.

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Section2. Documents businesses are required to submit to authorities

Section Documents Where documents are listed within the URL The competent authorities and relevant web pages
2.4.2 Application for a Certificate of Eligibility (Business Manager)External site: a new window will open Please click the Language selection panel and choose your language.
See Application for Certificate of Eligibility ⇒ Documents to be submitted.
Immigration Services AgencyExternal site: a new window will open
2.4.2 Application for a Certificate of Eligibility (Highly Skilled Professionals)External site: a new window will open Please click the Language selection panel and choose your language.
See 2 Regarding application documents, etc.
Immigration Services AgencyExternal site: a new window will open
2.4.2 Application for a Certificate of Eligibility (Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services)External site: a new window will open Please click the Language selection panel and choose your language.
See Application for Certificate of Eligibility ⇒ Documents to be submitted.
Immigration Services AgencyExternal site: a new window will open
2.4.2 Application for a Certificate of Eligibility (Intra-company Transferee)External site: a new window will open Please click the Language selection panel and choose your language.
See Application for Certificate of Eligibility ⇒ Documents to be submitted.
Immigration Services AgencyExternal site: a new window will open
2.4.2 Application for a Certificate of Eligibility (Legal / Accounting services)External site: a new window will open Please click the Language selection panel and choose your language.
See Application for Certificate of Eligibility ⇒ Documents to be submitted.
Immigration Services AgencyExternal site: a new window will open
2.4.2 Application for a Certificate of Eligibility (Skilled Labor)External site: a new window will open Please click the Language selection panel and choose your language.
See "When attempting to engage in activities as a chef" or "When attempting to engage in activities other than being a chef" ⇒ Application for Certificate of Eligibility ⇒ Documents to be submitted.
Immigration Services AgencyExternal site: a new window will open
2.4.2 Application for a Certificate of Eligibility (Specified Skilled Worker)External site: a new window will open Please click the Language selection panel and choose your language.
See Application for Certificate of Eligibility.
Immigration Services AgencyExternal site: a new window will open
2.4.3 Visa application form to enter JapanExternal site: a new window will open See Visa application form in Chapter 3. ⇒Visa Application Documents (download)/
See format.
Ministry of Foreign AffairsExternal site: a new window will open
2.7.5 Notification of a change of an item on the residence cardExternal site: a new window will open See Format Immigration Services AgencyExternal site: a new window will open
2.7.5 Application for extension of the valid period on the residence cardExternal site: a new window will open See Format Immigration Services AgencyExternal site: a new window will open
2.7.5 Application for re-issuance of a residence cardExternal site: a new window will open See Format Immigration Services AgencyExternal site: a new window will open
2.7.8 (1) Notification of affiliated (contracting) organization (Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services)External site: a new window will open Please click the Language selection panel and choose your language.
See Notification form reference form 1 to 4.
Immigration Services AgencyExternal site: a new window will open
2.7.8 (1) Notification of affiliated (activity) organization (Intra-company Transferee or Business Manager)External site: a new window will open Please click the Language selection panel and choose your language.
See Notification form reference form 1 to 4.
Immigration Services AgencyExternal site: a new window will open
2.7.8 (2) Notification of relationship with spouse (divorce/death)External site: a new window will open Please click the Language selection panel and choose your language.
See Notification form reference form.
Immigration Services AgencyExternal site: a new window will open
2.8.4 Application for re-entry permissionExternal site: a new window will open Please click the Language selection panel and choose your language.
See Application form/required documents, etc.
Immigration Services AgencyExternal site: a new window will open
2.9 Application form for issuance of a Certificate of Eligibility (Dependent)External site: a new window will open Please click the Language selection panel and choose your language.
See Application for Certificate of Eligibility.
Immigration Services AgencyExternal site: a new window will open
2.9 Application for permission to engage in activity other than that permitted under the status of residence previously grantedExternal site: a new window will open Please click the Language selection panel and choose your language.
See Application form/required documents/number of copies.
Immigration Services AgencyExternal site: a new window will open
2.10.1 Application for extension of period of stay (Intra-company Transferee)External site: a new window will open Please click the Language selection panel and choose your language.
See Application form for extension of period of stay ⇒ Documents to be submitted.
Immigration Services AgencyExternal site: a new window will open
2.10.1 Application for extension of period of stay (Business Manager)External site: a new window will open Please click the Language selection panel and choose your language.
See Application form for extension of period of stay ⇒ Documents to be submitted.
Immigration Services AgencyExternal site: a new window will open
2.10.1 Application for extension of period of stay (Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services)External site: a new window will open Please click the Language selection panel and choose your language.
See Application form for extension of period of stay ⇒ Documents to be submitted.
Immigration Services AgencyExternal site: a new window will open
2.10.2 Application for change of status of residence (Intra-company Transferee)External site: a new window will open Please click the Language selection panel and choose your language.
See Application for permission to change status of residence ⇒ Documents to be submitted.
Immigration Services AgencyExternal site: a new window will open
2.10.2 Application for change of status of residence (Business Manager)External site: a new window will open Please click the Language selection panel and choose your language.
See Application for permission to change status of residence ⇒ Documents to be submitted.
Immigration Services AgencyExternal site: a new window will open
2.10.2 Application for change of status of residence (Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services)External site: a new window will open Please click the Language selection panel and choose your language.
See Application for permission to change status of residence ⇒ Documents to be submitted.
Immigration Services AgencyExternal site: a new window will open

Materials listed as ‘Reference’ contain samples of documents regarding registration, visa, taxation, personnel and labor matters that are necessary when a foreign company establishes a corporation or other entity in Japan. These documents are not published by competent authorities and therefore are not official. For those who are going through the official procedures, please obtain the latest official documents from the competent authorities and related bodies or consult a person who specializes in advising on such information and procedures.

The information contained in this documents should be used at the reader’s independent discretion. While JETRO makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information it provides, no responsibility is accepted by JETRO for any loss or damage incurred as a result of actions based on the information provided in these documents or provided by the external links listed on these pages.

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