As with all countries open to foreigners, Japan has its own directives for people coming from abroad who are planning to start a new life there. Starting anew in Japan is always smoother if you know about the process and various services offered by the Immigration Services Agency in Japan.
Table of Contents
- Moving to Japan
- Immigration Services Agency of Japan
- Processes and Services offered if you are moving to Japan
- Processes and Services offered if you want to stay longer or permanently in Japan
- Summary
Moving to Japan
It is possible to move to Japan and lock in a long-term stay; however, there are several grounds that need to be met in order to secure a home in the country. By long-term stay, we mean more than 90 days in Japan according to the types of visas.Keep in mind that not all interested individuals can easily migrate and that permanent residence is not usually granted immediately.
So why consider moving to Japan? Perhaps you are one of the following.
- You intend to study in Japan, especially in one of Japan's leading universities or professional schools. Rather than studying abroad for a semester or so (which is a fine choice too!), you’re committing to doing your entire degree in Japan which could mean staying in Japan anywhere from two to four years. And perhaps this will lead to a job in the future which means staying even longer and establishing your career.
- You applied to and were hired for a job. You intend to move to Japan and stay for a year, a few years or permanently and your job and visa is arranged for you by your sponsor company or organization, or you intend to be freelance with your professional skills, or you’ll see what’s available while on your Working Holiday. The process for these will be discussed further on as it may require a lot of procedures.
- Or perhaps you have family or a spouse waiting for you in Japan and you’re working on the process to join them there.
So if you’re one of the above, or your reason wasn’t mentioned but you’re considering moving to Japan regardless, read on to learn about the various processes required to make the move and the services that the Immigration Services Agency of Japan provides during your transition.
Writer's Pick
Immigration Services Agency of Japan
The Immigration Services Agency of Japan provides an array of assistance, from the application process down to acquiring visas to obtaining a status of residency in Japan.
This office primarily manages and is in charge of the different matters concerning foreign residents and foreigners who wanted to live in Japan. The Immigration Services Agency is operated by the Ministry of Justice of the nation. So if you are deciding to move to this country, this is the agency you need to get in touch with first!
Where is it located
Immigration offices are constructed in different regions of Japan to notify the foreign residents in regards to the new updates and other essential information needed to be discussed. The establishments are located in the districts of Sendai, Tokyo, Yokohama, Nagoya, Osaka, Kobe, Hiroshima, and Fukuoka. And of course, Japanese immigration services are also available at the Japan embassies and consulates in your respective countries.
Processes and Services offered if you are moving to Japan
If you have decided to make the move, here are the processes you need to go through - which can be done through the Japan Immigration Services with the Japanese embassy and/or consulate service in your country.
Visa-related services
Before you can enter Japan, you need a visa! A visa is an affirmation that your passport is substantial and legitimately processed by authorized personnel. Furthermore, the visa presents your stay's arrival and duration based on the standard terms and conditions attached to your visa.
Don't know where to apply? Secure an application in the Immigration Services Agency of Japan, in the care of a consular officer. Please note that only the Ministry of Foreign Affairs authorizes the issuance of Visas. The Immigration Bureau provides guidance to those involving participants with the appropriate step-by-step processes. For more details, you can check the Immigration Services Agency of Japan website.
Below are some of the types of long-term stay visas being offered by the organization:
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Working Visas
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Regular Working Visa
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Highly Skilled Professional Visa
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Working Holiday Visa
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Student Visa
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Family Visa
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Start-up Visa, etc.
Find the full list here.
Certificate of Eligibility
In order to obtain a status of residence in Japan, you need a Certificate of Eligibility (COE).
The Minister of Justice would have to approve and send you this document, certifying that the applicant met all the criteria. It eases and simplifies visa applications including the assessments.
Read more about visas and the COE at the official website.
※ Immigration Services Agency of Japan, "Entry and return procedures - visa and Certificate of Eligibility"
Processes and Services offered if you want to stay longer or permanently in Japan
So perhaps you have stayed in Japan for a while and want to stay longer, or even permanently, or you have already decided that you will stay permanently from the get-go. Here are the things you may need to do.
Change of Status of Residence
If you are a foreigner and want to engage in new career opportunities in a completely different field than your current visa allows, this one's for you. Change of career in Japan is not illegal, as long as you update your status of residence.
※ Immigration Services Agency of Japan, "Change of Status of Residence (Article 20, Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act)"
Permission for extending the period of stay
If you are already in Japan, and it looks like you have to stay more than the allotted number of days, this permit is applied so you don’t have to exit the country and come back again. The request or concerns of the expansion of the period of stay must be forwarded to the Ministry of Justice.
※ Immigration Services Agency of Japan, "Extension of period of stay (Immigration Control Act, Article 21)"
Permission for Permanent Residence
If you stayed in Japan for more than 10 years (or 5, if you have been working the entire time and currently have a 3 year visa) and are still planning to continue staying, this kind of residence is for you! You must diligently follow and qualify for the strict requirements by the government.
※ Immigration Services Agency of Japan, "Permission for permanent residence (Immigration Control Act, Article 22)" ※ i-socia Advisors, “Permanent Residence (PR)”
Summary
To summarize, enormous opportunities for education and employment circulate in Japan and are waiting for you. Just don’t fail to remember all the important documents, applications, permissions, and procedures to establish your new residency and build your new life in Japan. The process may be tedious but get through it and a new chapter in Japan may be waiting for you.
