B. Procedures necessary for purposes of residence, etc.
- What is the proper procedure to follow
if I wish to reside in Japan?
- What should I do when I wish to engage in
an activity not covered by my present status?
- What should I do to cease my present activity
and engage in a completely new activity?
- What should I do when I wish to extend
my present period of stay?
- How do I apply for permanent residence
in Japan?
- What is re-entry permission?
- What is the certificate of authorized
employment?
Foreign nationals residing in Japan are required to follow
one of the following procedures relating to residence.
(1) Permission to engage in an activity other than that permitted
by the status of residence previously granted (See B-2)
(2) Permission to change status of residence (See B-3)
(3) Permission to extend period of stay (See B-4)
(4) Permission for permanent residence (See B-5)
(5) Re-entry permission (See B-6)
Any foreign national who wishes to make an application relating
to his/her stay in Japan should appear in person at the District
or Branch office of the Regional Immigration Bureau, having
jurisdiction over his/her place of residence (or his/her place
of temporary lodging if (s)he has no established residence),
present his/her passport and submit the appropriate application
forms and documents.
While it is a general rule that an application must be made
in person, an application may be made on the applicant's behalf
by his/her father or mother, spouse, a care giver or any person
who is living with the applicant if the applicant is under the
age of 16 years, or when (s)he cannot appear in person at the
Regional Immigration Bureau, by reason of old age, disease or
other physical impediment.
When an application has been approved, the applicant is notified
in writing (or by phone). Upon receipt of such notification,
the applicant should appear at the Regional Immigration Bureau,
etc., or the designated date with the documents listed on the
notification.
If you have any questions concerning immigration, please contact:
Sendai Immigration Office Tel.(022-256-6076, 6077 or 6078) or
Koriyama Immigration Office Tel. (024-936-3231).
Please write to us at <kokusai@pref.fukushima.jp>.
Under an amendment of the Immigration Control Act, which came
into effect on June 1, 1990, when a foreign national desires
to engage in an activity involving the management of business
or remuneration other than that permitted under his/her present
status of residence, (s)he must apply for and obtain permission
to do so in advance.
For example, this permission is required when a missionary wishesto
teach English at an English conversation school, or when a student
wishes to engage in a part-time job.
Documents to be submitted
(1) Application for permission to engage in an activity other
than that permitted under the status of residence previously
granted ... 2 copies.
(2) Materials indicating in concrete terms the nature of the
activity to be engaged in (e.g., copy of employment contract,
brochure describing the business of the employer etc.) ... 1
copy each
(3) Materials indicating the nature of the activity presently
engaged in (e. g., enrollment certificate of foreign student,
etc.) ... 1 copy each
If the application is approved, a "Permit to Engage in
Activity Other Than That Permitted by the Status of Residence
Previously Granted" will be issued to the applicant.
Anyone engaging in an activity involving the management of business
or remuneration other than that permitted by his/her previously
granted, status of residence but without obtaining permission,
may be subject to punishment, and anyone who knowingly employs
such a person may also be punished. (See B-1
about the procedures)
Please write to us at <kokusai@pref.fukushima.jp>.
When a foreign national desires to cease his/her present activity
and concentrate on an altogether new activity which falls outside
those permitted by his/her status of residence, (s)he should
apply for and obtain a change of status of residence.
Documents to be submitted
(1) Application for change of status of residence ... 2 copies
(2) A statement of reasons for making an application (A document
stating the reasons for making an application to engage in a
new activity. There is no fixed form for this document). ...
1 copy
(3) Materials indicating in concrete terms the nature of the
new activity to be engaged in (e. g. copy of letter of acceptance
by employer, documents proving the applicant's ability to bear
all the expenses necessary during his/her stay in Japan, etc.).
... 1 copy each
When a change of status of residence has been granted, the new
status of residence and the period of stay are determined and
a stamp will be affixed in the passport of the applicant. (See
B-1 about the procedures)
Please write to us at <kokusai@pref.fukushima.jp>.
A foreign national who wishes to extend his/her period of
stay should make an application before their current authorized
period of stay expires. Applications for extensions of period
of stay are accepted until about one month prior to the date
when the initial period of stay affixed in the passport of the
applicant expires. An application will not necessarily be approved.
It will be given only when there are reasonable grounds to accept
the extension of the period of stay. An application will not
be approved if the applicant has already attained the purpose
of his/her visit.
Documents to be submitted
(1) Application for extension of period of stay ... 2 copies
(2) Statement of reasons for making an application, (a document
concretely stating the activities presently engaged in, reasons
why the extension is required, etc. There is no fixed form for
this document). ... 1 copy
(3) Documents certifying the reasons necessitating the extension
... 1 copy each
When an extension of period of stay has been granted, the new
period of stay is determined and a stamp will be affixed in
the passport of the applicant. (See B-1about
the procedures)
Please write to us at <kokusai@pref.fukushima.jp>.
The criteria for permitting permanent residence in Japan are
generally strict. Permanent residence is permitted only when
a foreign national has established a permanent base of livelihood
and when it is deemed that his/her permanent residence will
be in accord with the interests of Japan.
More concretely, permission for permanent residence is granted
only when a foreign national fulfills at least the following
conditions.
(1) The applicant needs to have sufficient assets or ability
to make an independent living. (Not required for spouses and
children of Japanese nationals, special permanent residents
or permanent residents, and those who have been recognized as
refugees).
(2) That the person is of good conduct. (Not required for spouses
and children of Japanese nationals, special permanent residents
or permanent residents).
There is no rule regarding the residence history of the applicant,
however, it should be so long that the foundation of the person's
life has become deep-rooted in Japanese society. A relatively
short period can be sufficient for former Japanese nationals,
spouses and children of Japanese nationals, special permanent
residents or permanent residents, those who have been recognized
as refugees, persons who have made a notable contribution to
society in Japan etc.
If you have any questions, please contact the Sendai Immigration
Office Tel (022-256-6076, 6077, 6078) or the Koriyama Immigration
Office Tel. (024-936-3231).
There is a special system for obtaining permanent residence
for the descendants of the foreign nationals who lost Japanese
nationality under the peace treaty after World War II. If you
want more details about this, please call your city, town or
village office (See G-1)
Please write to us at <kokusai@pref.fukushima.jp>.
A foreign national who wishes to leave Japan for his/her home
country or other countries temporarily and re-enter Japan to
continue residence within his/her authorized period of stay
need not obtain a new visa if re-entry permission has been obtained
before leaving Japan.
While a re-entry permit is, in general, valid only for one time,
a multiple re-entry permit may be given to persons who need
to make frequent trips outside Japan. The term of validity for
a re-entry permit is limited to within the date of expiration
of the applicant's period of stay and the maximum term is one
year. (4 years for special permanent residents)
When a foreign national who has left Japan with a re-entry permit
has justifiable reasons (such as disease) for being unable to
re-enter within the validity term of the permit, an extension
may be granted within a period of one year and not exceeding
two years (5 years for special permanent residents) from the
issueance of the re-entry permit at a Japanese embassy or consulate
abroad. It is impossible to extend the validity beyond the authorized
period of stay.
When re-entry permission has been granted, a stamp will be affixed
in the passport of the applicant. Please contact Sendai Immigration
Office Tel. (022-256-6076, 6077 or 6078) or Koriyama Immigration
Office Tel. (024-936-3231) for details.
Please write to us at <kokusai@pref.fukushima.jp>.
A Certificate of Authorized Employment is issued by the Regional
Immigration Bureau upon application by a foreign national whose
employment in Japan has been approved.
This certificate indicates the types of activities authorized
by the Regional Immigration Bureau. The foreign national can
submit it to a potential employer to reassure the employer of
his/her eligibility as an employee.
An employer who knowingly employs foreign nationals without
the right working papers or an employment broker who makes them
engage in illegal work may be punished by imprisonment or a
fine.
Please write to us at <kokusai@pref.fukushima.jp>.
