VISA/Immigration Assistance, Tokyo

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Major Procedures at Immigration Bureau in Japan

A foreign national who wants to stay in Japan is required to follow Japanese laws and ordinances. This homepage introduces some information about Japanese immigration procedures.

Extension/Renewal: A foreign national who stays in Japan may apply for extension of his/her period of stay.

Change Status: A foreign national who stays in Japan may apply for change of status of residence.

Invite a Foreigner: In order to invite a foreigner for long stay, the system of Certificate of Eligibility is often used.

Certificate of Eligibility: His/her relatives or employer in Japan can apply for Certificate of Eligibility at Immigration Bureau.

Permanent Residency: If you'd like to stay in Japan for the rest of your life, you may apply for Permanent Resident.

Immigration Regulation and Glossary

Immigration procedures in Japan are defined by "Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act" (Cabinet Order No. 319 of October 4, 1951). This Act was originally made as a Cabinet order but later changed to the Act (Law).

Following the Act, "Ordinance for Enforcement of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act" (Ordinance of the Ministry of Justice No. 54 of October 28, 1981) was established.

These two regulations are core rules for immigration process in Japan.

"Period of Stay"

"Period of Stay" is the valid length of "Status of Residence". A foreign national can legally stay in Japan within his/her "Period of Stay".

"Period of Stay" varies from 15-day to unlimited depending on "Status of Residence". If his/her "Period of Stay" is limited, he/she can apply for extension depending on a situation.

"Status of Residence"

"Status of Residence" is a legal status for a foreign national who is in Japan. Immigration Act defines various "Status of Residence". (See all the various status.) And, some special laws define some status.

A foreign national who wants to stay in Japan need to fulfill the requirements of at least one of "Status of Residence".

VISA

A foreign national is basically required to have a VISA on his/her passport prior to entering to Japan. Japanese VISA is issued at Embassy of Japan or General-Consulate of Japan abroad.

In some cases, VISA is exempt depending on a nationality, purposes of visit, desired length of stay, etc. VISA exemption

Difference between VISA and "Status of Residence"

"Status of Residence" is similar to "VISA" and they are often confused.

The clear difference is that "VISA" is issued outside of Japan by a Japanese consul at General-Consulate of Japan or Embassy of Japan; on the other hand, "Status of Residence" is usually determined by an immigration officer at a port of entry.

Passport

A foreign national is required to have a valid passport or equivalent when he/she is entering to Japan. A passport is usually issued by his/her home country.

Tokyo Immigration

Tokyo Regional Immigration Services Bureau
(Tokyo Nyukan or Nyukoku-Kanri-Kyoku)
5-5-30 Konan, Minato-Ku, Tokyo

Web Page of Immigration Services Agency

Procedures related to the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act

Immigration Assistance

As a registered immigration/visa specialist, we can offer various services related to immigration procedures.

Services we can offer are

Consultation - to find out Status of Residence/Procedures that may best suit you and/or your family member, etc.
Documentation - to prepare and/or advice the documents you need to submit to the Immigration Bureau
Representation/Agency - to submit the documents and communicate with the Immigration Bureau on your behalf

and so forth.

Inquiry Forms
Invite Family	Invite Employee
Extension/Renewal (VISA extension)
Change Status of Residence (VISA change)
Permanent Residency

"Gyoseishoshi" or Administrative Scrivener is a registered specialist in documentation such as application, registration forms to public authorities. We have been officially notified to the Tokyo Immigration Bureau to act as an agent (GYO-07 No.337) and are ready to assist you.

Office Outline

ARTICLE on METROPOLIS NO 852

Procedures
- Extension/Renewal - Change Status
- Invite a Foreigner  [Certificate of Eligibility]
- Short Stay Visit

Permanent Resident

Do you have any problem with your visa or immigration procedures? "Gyoseishoshi" or Administrative Scrivener is a registered specialist in documentation and we specialize in the field of immigration process.

We have been officially notified to Tokyo Regional Immigration Services Bureau to act as an agent (GYO-07 No.337) and are ready to assist you. If you are seeking for any professional assistance, please contact us Inquiry.

8-7 Ishijima, Koto-ku, Tokyo, Japan