Fukuoka Immigration Tenjin Office Opens Oct 1 | Guide for Miyazaki Residents

The Fukuoka Regional Immigration Services Bureau (hereinafter, “Fukuoka Immigration”) opened its “Tenjin Office” on Thursday, October 1, 2026 (Reiwa 8). The section relocating is the Immigration Support Section of the Examination Management Department, and its new location will be on the 3rd floor of Acros Fukuoka in Tenjin, Fukuoka City, within the “FUKUOKA IS OPEN Center” operated by Fukuoka Prefecture. This article will clarify what changes and what remains the same based on the primary information provided in the Tenjin Office announcement, and then summarize “where to go” for foreign nationals residing in Miyazaki Prefecture and HR professionals at companies accepting foreign nationals in Miyazaki Prefecture, categorized by service counter.

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1. Conclusion: What Changes is the “Location for Consultations”; Application Acceptance Counters Remain as Before

First, let’s summarize the key points.

• The relocation indicated in Fukuoka Immigration’s announcement (posted September 11, 2026) is for the Immigration Support Section of the Examination Management Department. From Thursday, October 1, 2026, onwards, it will move from the Fukuoka First Legal Affairs Joint Government Building (Maizuru, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City) to the Tenjin Office.
• The address of the Tenjin Office is Acros Fukuoka 3F, 1-1-1 Tenjin, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture (within FUKUOKA IS OPEN Center).
• Fukuoka Immigration’s official page states that various applications will be accepted at the reception counter on the 6th floor of the Fukuoka First Legal Affairs Joint Government Building. The Tenjin Office announcement does not mention the relocation of the application counter (as of September 12, 2026).
• For residents of Miyazaki Prefecture, the primary application destination remains the Miyazaki Office (Beppu-cho, Miyazaki City) as before. There is no announcement that the role of the Miyazaki Office will change with the opening of the Tenjin Office.
• A revision of the Immigration Services Fee was also carried out on the same October 1. While the counter information and fee information are separate systems, those whose visit dates coincide with this change need to be aware of both.

2. What is Stated in the Tenjin Office Announcement

The announcement (PDF) published by Fukuoka Immigration is a single page, and its contents are as follows:

Item	Content
What is relocating	Immigration Support Section of the Examination Management Department, Fukuoka Regional Immigration Services Bureau
Relocation Period	From Thursday, October 1, Reiwa 8 onwards
Original Location	Fukuoka First Legal Affairs Joint Government Building (3-5-25 Maizuru, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City)
New Location (Tenjin Office)	Acros Fukuoka 3F, 1-1-1 Tenjin, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture (within FUKUOKA IS OPEN Center)
Access Information	Access page of Acros Fukuoka (Public Interest Incorporated Foundation) (https://acros.or.jp/access/)

The “Examination Management Department,” where the Immigration Support Section is located, is described on Fukuoka Immigration’s official page as the department responsible for “counter services, re-entry, applications/notifications related to Residence Cards, and immigration support.” The announcement should be interpreted as meaning that only the section related to immigration support will move to Tenjin. Since it does not state that counter services or applications/notifications related to Residence Cards will also move to Tenjin, it is important to first distinguish whether the purpose of your visit is for “applications/notifications” or “consultations.”

Is the purpose of your visit “applications/notifications” or “consultations”? From October 1, your destination will change based on this distinction.

What is the FUKUOKA IS OPEN Center?

The FUKUOKA IS OPEN Center, the new location, is a one-stop consultation hub for foreign residents, opened by Fukuoka Prefecture on October 17, 2024 (Reiwa 6). According to the opening guide published by Fukuoka Immigration, specialized organizations such as the prefecture, Fukuoka Immigration, Fukuoka Foreign Employment Service Center, Fukuoka Bar Association, Fukuoka Administrative Scriveners Association, Fukuoka Social Insurance Labor Scriveners Association, and the Human Rights Department of the Fukuoka Legal Affairs Bureau collaborate to offer consultations on employment, labor, housing, medical care, Status of Residence, and other matters in 24 languages. Consultations are free and available via counter, online, email, and phone (counter visits are by appointment priority, online is by appointment only).

Originally, Fukuoka Immigration participated in this center as a specialized organization, offering “consultations on application procedures related to Status of Residence and general residence matters.” The opening of the Tenjin Office on October 1 can be interpreted as a re-positioning of this consultation function as an office within the center.

3. Fukuoka Immigration Service Counters Map: Main Building, Nishijin Office, Tenjin Office

Fukuoka Immigration has branch offices in addition to its main office, each with different roles. The overall structure from October onwards is summarized in the table below.

Location	Address	Main Role (as stated on official page)
Main Office (Fukuoka First Legal Affairs Joint Government Building)	3-5-25 Maizuru, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City	Reception counter for various applications (6th floor), Examination Management Department (counter services, re-entry, applications/notifications related to Residence Cards), Adjudication Department, Security Department
Nishijin Office	14-15 Sohara, Sawara-ku, Fukuoka City (5th floor)	Employment/Permanent Residence Examination Department, Student/Trainee Examination Department. Does not accept various applications
Tenjin Office (from October 1, 2026)	Acros Fukuoka 3F, 1-1-1 Tenjin, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City	Immigration Support Section of the Examination Management Department (within FUKUOKA IS OPEN Center)

The reception hours for the main office are 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, and 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays). For the Examination and Management Department, the hours are stated as ‘9:00 AM to 4:00 PM,’ and it is announced that counter services will be provided during the lunch break (12:00 PM to 1:00 PM), except for bulk applications from companies or organizations.

The Fukuoka Regional Immigration Services Bureau consists of the main office, the Naha Branch Office, and 14 sub-offices (including 4 sub-offices under the jurisdiction of the Naha Branch Office), and its jurisdiction covers Fukuoka Prefecture, Saga Prefecture, Nagasaki Prefecture, Oita Prefecture, Kumamoto Prefecture, Kagoshima Prefecture, Miyazaki Prefecture, and Okinawa Prefecture (which is under the jurisdiction of the Naha Branch Office).

4. Application Destination for Residents of Miyazaki Prefecture: Miyazaki Office

Foreign nationals residing in Miyazaki Prefecture should, in principle, file various Status of Residence-related applications (such as Application for Extension of Period of Stay and Application for Change of Status of Residence) at the regional bureau, branch office, or sub-office with jurisdiction over their place of residence. For Miyazaki Prefecture, this is the Miyazaki Office of the Fukuoka Regional Immigration Services Bureau.

Item	Miyazaki Office
Location	Miyazaki Legal Affairs Joint Government Building 2F, 1-1 Beppu-cho, Miyazaki-shi, Miyazaki 880-0802
Access	10-minute walk from JR Miyazaki Station [West Exit] / 1-minute walk from Miyazaki Kotsu “Saibansho-mae” bus stop
Phone	0985-31-3580
Services	General Status of Residence Examination / Airport and Seaport Operations
Reception Hours	9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays)
Jurisdiction (Various Status of Residence Applications)	Miyazaki Prefecture, Kumamoto Prefecture
Jurisdiction (Application for Certificate of Eligibility)	Miyazaki Prefecture, Kumamoto Prefecture

Miyazaki is not the only sub-office whose area of responsibility includes Miyazaki Prefecture

Looking at the jurisdiction areas on the official page, Miyazaki Prefecture is also included in the jurisdiction areas of the Kumamoto Office, Oita Office, and Kagoshima Office. For those residing near the prefectural border or who find it convenient to travel to neighboring prefectures due to work, it is worth knowing this as an option. However, regarding Application for Certificate of Eligibility, it is noted that ‘some sub-offices do not handle certain Status of Residence categories,’ so please confirm by phone whether the sub-office accepts applications for that specific Status of Residence before applying there.

5. For Foreign Nationals: Distinguishing Between ‘Consultation’ and ‘Application’

From October onwards, foreign nationals residing in Miyazaki Prefecture often wonder, ‘Where should I call if I just want to consult?’ We will organize consultation points by purpose.

Consultation Point	What can be asked	Contact Information / Hours
Immigration Services Agency Information Center	General guidance on immigration procedures and Status of Residence procedures. Cannot answer questions about the progress of individual cases or prospects for permission.	0570-013904 / Weekdays 8:30 AM to 5:15 PM (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays, and Dec 29 – Jan 3). 11 languages including Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese.
Information Center Fukuoka Counter	Same as above (counter service)	Fukuoka No. 1 Legal Affairs Joint Government Building / Weekdays 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Japanese, English, Chinese (Korean may be available).
FUKUOKA IS OPEN Center (Fukuoka Prefecture, Tenjin)	One-stop, multilingual consultation on all aspects of daily life, including Status of Residence, employment, housing, and medical care. From October 1st, the Immigration Support section of the Fukuoka Regional Immigration Services Bureau (Tenjin Office) will also be in the same building.	0120-279-906 (toll-free) / 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Mon-Fri, 3rd Sunday, 4th Saturday. Excluding year-end/New Year holidays and national holidays). 24 languages.
Miyazaki Foreigner Support Center (Miyazaki International Association)	Life consultations in Miyazaki Prefecture in your native language.	0985-41-5901 / Tue-Sat 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM (Closed Sun, Mon, national holidays, and Dec 29 – Jan 3). 7 languages: English, Chinese, Korean, Portuguese, Tagalog, Vietnamese, Indonesian. Carino Miyazaki B1F, 4-8-1 Tachibanadorihigashi, Miyazaki City.

The official page of the Information Center clearly states that it cannot answer questions regarding ‘the progress of various procedures or individual cases, or prospects for permission’ or ‘the status of examination progress’. You will not receive an answer if you call to ask ‘When will the result of my application be available?’ Therefore, it may be faster to switch such consultations to a professional, such as an Administrative Scrivener Authorized to File Applications.

Furthermore, it is announced that calls to the Information Center are concentrated on the first business day after holidays and between 11:00 AM and 12:00 PM. If your consultation is not urgent, avoiding these times will make it easier to connect.

6. For HR Professionals: Certificate of Eligibility, Specified Skilled Worker Notifications, and Bulk Applications

For HR professionals at companies accepting foreign nationals in Miyazaki Prefecture, the opening of the Tenjin Office will fundamentally not directly change anything. However, if you are unaware of the role of each Fukuoka Regional Immigration Services Bureau location, it is easy to make mistakes regarding where to bring or send documents, so we will focus on three key points.

1. The application destination for Application for Certificate of Eligibility is, in principle, the regional bureau or branch office with jurisdiction over the location of the accepting organization (or the relative’s address) acting as the applicant’s agent. For businesses within Miyazaki Prefecture, the Miyazaki Office is included in the jurisdiction, but as mentioned earlier, some sub-offices do not handle certain Status of Residence categories. For cases involving calling individuals from overseas, please confirm whether the application is accepted before applying.
2. The submission location for notifications related to Specified Skilled Worker is clearly stated on the official website as “Nishijin Branch Office (addressed to the Employment and Permanent Residence Examination Department) for submissions by mail, or the 6th floor of the Fukuoka No. 1 Legal Affairs Joint Government Building for submissions in person at the counter.” The Nishijin Branch Office does not accept various applications, so it is important to note not to bring documents other than notifications to the Nishijin Branch Office.
3. Batch applications from companies, organizations, etc. are not handled at the counter during the examination management department’s lunch break (12:00 PM – 1:00 PM). If you plan to submit multiple applications at once, please schedule your visit to avoid the lunch break.

7. October 1st is the same day as the Fee Revision: Pre-Visit Checklist

October 1, 2026, when the Tenjin Office opened, is also the revision date for the amount of Immigration Services Fee. Although this is a separate system from the counter services, those planning to apply after October should confirm the following points before visiting.

• Distinction of Purpose: For applications/notifications, the 6th floor of the Maizuru Main Building (Miyazaki Office for Miyazaki residents); for consultations, the Tenjin Office / FUKUOKA IS OPEN Center, or by phone (0570-013904).
• Fee: Depending on the content of the application, the amount of the fee will change for applications submitted on or after October 1st. Please confirm the amount and payment method on the official guidance from the Immigration Services Agency and incorporate it into your preparations for the day (For details, see the related article “Immigration Services Fee Revision on October 1st | Old Fees until September 30th“).
• Consideration of Online Application: Procedures that do not require a visit to the counter may be applied for using the online Status of Residence application system (For details, see the related article “Online Status of Residence Application System | New System and Points to Note in 2026“).
• Parking: The Fukuoka Regional Immigration Services Bureau advises that “parking spaces are limited, waiting to enter when full is prohibited,” and “please use public transportation as much as possible.” The Main Building is a 5-minute walk from Akasaka Station [Exits 1 and 6] on the Subway Kuko Line.
• Reception Hours: Both the Main Building and Miyazaki Office are open from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays). Arrivals after 4:00 PM will not be accepted.

8. Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Can I apply for Extension of Period of Stay at the Tenjin Office?

The notice states that the Immigration Support section will move to the Tenjin Office. The official website of the Fukuoka Regional Immigration Services Bureau states that various applications are accepted at the reception counter on the 6th floor of the Fukuoka No. 1 Legal Affairs Joint Government Building. For residents of Miyazaki Prefecture, the Miyazaki Office is the application destination. Please consider consultations at Tenjin, and applications at the Main Building or Miyazaki Office, as separate.

Q2. I live in Miyazaki, but can I apply at the Fukuoka Main Bureau?

As a general rule, various Status of Residence-related applications are processed at the regional bureau, branch office, or designated sub-office that has jurisdiction over the applicant’s place of residence. Miyazaki Prefecture is under the jurisdiction of the Fukuoka Regional Immigration Services Bureau, and the Miyazaki Office (along with the Kumamoto, Oita, and Kagoshima Offices) is listed as a designated area. Since the acceptability of procedures may vary depending on the type of application and Status of Residence, it is recommended to confirm by phone in advance.

Q3. Can I ask by phone when my application will be approved?

The official website of the General Information Center for Foreign Residents clearly states that they cannot answer questions regarding the progress or prospects of approval for various procedures or individual cases, nor the status of examination. The responsible department also states that they cannot provide answers.

Q4. Are consultations at the FUKUOKA IS OPEN Center charged?

The opening guide published by the Fukuoka Regional Immigration Services Bureau states “consultations are free.” They support 24 languages, counter services are by appointment priority, and online consultations are by appointment only.

Q5. Are there places in Miyazaki Prefecture where I can get daily life consultations in my native language?

The “Miyazaki Foreigner Support Center” of the Miyazaki International Relations Association (Carino Miyazaki B1F, Tachibanadorihigashi 4-8-1, Miyazaki City) accepts daily life consultations in 7 languages: English, Chinese, Korean, Portuguese, Tagalog, Vietnamese, and Indonesian. It is open from Tuesday to Saturday, 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM. For application procedures related to Status of Residence itself, please consult with the Immigration Services Agency counter or an Administrative Scrivener Authorized to File Applications.

9. Summary: Decide ‘Consultation or Application’ Before Your Visit

The opening of the Tenjin Office signifies a change where the Immigration Support section of the Fukuoka Regional Immigration Services Bureau will be integrated into Fukuoka Prefecture’s one-stop consultation hub. The application reception counter itself is not moving, and the application destination for residents of Miyazaki Prefecture remains the Miyazaki Office. Meanwhile, the fee revision will also take place on the same October 1st. Confirming both ‘where to go’ and ‘how much to prepare’ with primary sources before your visit is the shortest way to prevent double work.

Based in Miyazaki City, our office provides consultation services to foreign nationals and accepting companies throughout Miyazaki Prefecture. As an Administrative Scrivener Authorized to File Applications, we can assist in reducing the burden of personal appearance at the Immigration Services Agency, from the preparation of application documents to their submission.

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This article is written based on publicly available information as of September 2026. The location, reception hours, and division of duties of the offices may change in the future. For actual visits and applications, please confirm with the official information from the Immigration Services Agency or our office.

Author of this article: Administrative Scrivener Authorized to File Applications, Satoshi Nakayama
Representative, Administrative Scrivener Corporation Miyazaki International Legal Office
Location: Miyazaki City, Miyazaki Prefecture

Sources (Primary Information)

• Immigration Services Agency “【Fukuoka Regional Immigration Services Bureau】Notice of Opening of ‘Tenjin Office'” (Posted September 11, 2026・PDF) https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/content/001470102.pdf
• Immigration Services Agency “Fukuoka Regional Immigration Services Bureau” (Jurisdiction, Location, Departments, and Areas of Responsibility for Each Office) https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/about/region/fukuoka/index.html
• Immigration Services Agency “【Fukuoka Regional Immigration Services Bureau】Regarding the Opening of FUKUOKA IS OPEN Center (Opened October 17, Reiwa 6)” (PDF) https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/content/001425873.pdf
• Immigration Services Agency “【Fukuoka Regional Immigration Services Bureau】Request to Visitors” (PDF) https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/content/001441338.pdf
• Immigration Services Agency “Comprehensive Foreign Resident Information Center, etc.” https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/consultation/center/index.html
• Immigration Services Agency “Immigration Services Fee will be revised as of October 1, Reiwa 8.” https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/01_00644.html
• Miyazaki International Foundation “Life Consultation for Foreign Residents” https://www.mif.or.jp/daily-life-helpline/