'%3E%3Cpath%20stroke='%23000'%20stroke-width='4'%20d='m-35-37-13%2020m5%203%2013-20m5%203-13%2020m63%2042%206-9m1-2%206-9m5%203-6%209m-1%202-6%209m5%203%206-9m1-2%206-9m-96%200%2013%2020m5-3-6-9m-1-2-6-9m5-3%2013%2020m63-42-6-9m-1-2-6-9m5-3%2013%2020m5-3-6-9m-1-2-6-9'/%3E%3Ccircle%20r='24'%20fill='%23cd2e3a'/%3E%3Cpath%20fill='%230047a0'%20d='M0%200a12%2012%200%201%201%2020%2013%2024%2024%200%201%201-40-26A12%2012%200%201%200%200%200'/%3E%3C/g%3E%3C/svg%3E){kind=small}
Turn to an Administrative Scrivener Corporation in Miyazaki
From obtaining, changing, and renewing your status of residence to permanent residency and naturalization. Our Administrative Scrivener Corporation, based locally in Miyazaki, supports foreign residents with their residence procedures.
What Is a Status of Residence (Visa)?
For foreign nationals to reside (stay) in Japan, a Status of Residence corresponding to the purpose of their activities is required. A Status of Residence defines “what” a person may do in Japan and “how long” they may stay, and is divided into many categories (currently 29) depending on the purpose, including work-permitted and non-work statuses.
Main Categories of Status of Residence
The major statuses of residence are organized below by category.
| Category | Main Statuses of Residence |
|---|---|
| Work-permitted statuses | Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services, Business Manager, Skilled Labor, Specified Skilled Worker (i)/(ii), Highly Skilled Professional, Intra-company Transferee, Nursing Care, Technical Intern Training, and others |
| Status-based (no work restrictions) | Permanent Resident, Spouse or Child of Japanese National, Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident, Long-Term Resident |
| Non-work statuses | Student, Dependent, Temporary Visitor, and others (work may be permitted within the scope of a permission to engage in activity other than that permitted, where obtained) |
| Individually designated | Designated Activities (such as Working Holiday or job-seeking status, where the specific activity is individually designated) |
If you are unsure which status of residence applies to you, your family, or a foreign employee, please feel free to contact us. We can help with everything from checking eligibility requirements to guiding you through the necessary documents.
Main Procedures Related to Status of Residence
Applications to the Immigration Services Agency (ISA) regarding status of residence generally fall into the following three categories.
- Application for Certificate of Eligibility (COE)This procedure is used to bring a foreign national from overseas to Japan (new entry). It applies to cases such as employment, marriage, and bringing family members to Japan.
- Application for Change of Status of ResidenceThis procedure is for a person already in Japan who wishes to change the purpose of their stay, for example moving from Student status to a work status, or from a work status to Spouse status after marriage.
- Application for Extension of Period of StayThis procedure extends your period of stay (residence deadline) while keeping your current status of residence. It should be filed before your period of stay expires.
We also handle other procedures as needed, including Application for Permission for Permanent Residence, permission to engage in activity other than that permitted, Re-entry Permit, and Certificate of Authorization for Employment. For those wishing to acquire Japanese nationality, we also support the Application for Permission of Naturalization.
Before you submit, let us take a look.
Free Immigration Pre-Submission Check ›
For those who will apply for a status of residence at the Immigration Services Bureau by themselves. Before you submit, we check your application form and supporting documents and tell you about any missing documents and points to watch. We accept checks online (Google Meet, about 20 minutes) or via LINE.
・Eligible: applications for a Certificate of Eligibility, change of status of residence and extension of period of stay (applications for permanent residence are accepted only from residents of Miyazaki Prefecture). Naturalization is not covered.
・Online (Google Meet): once per application. Replies via LINE: available for the same application until you submit it.
・Our guideline for replies via LINE is, in principle, within 2 business days (we are closed on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays; replies may take longer when we are busy).
・Please send copies of your documents by LINE or email. For your residence card, send the front side only; please do not send the side showing your My Number.
・What we tell you is our office’s opinion. It does not guarantee approval; the outcome depends on the decision of the Immigration Services Bureau.
・We only point out missing documents and points to watch. We do not prepare or rewrite your application documents for you or draft text for them, and we do not tell you whether your application is likely to be approved (if you would like to engage us, we will introduce the Self-Prep Course, the Light Plan and the Standard Plan).
・If we find that a document contains information that is not true, or that the application is not your own (or a family member’s), we will decline the check.
Book a Free Immigration Pre-Submission CheckApply via LINEApply via WhatsApp
You can also apply via WhatsApp. On WhatsApp, we accept only your application message. If you apply via WhatsApp, the check is held online (Google Meet); after you contact us, we will explain how to book a time. Please send copies of your documents by email (we do not accept documents via WhatsApp).
For Those Considering a Status of Residence Application in Miyazaki
- Miyazaki Prefecture has a thriving livestock and agriculture industry, and the acceptance of foreign workers is expanding. We are seeing more inquiries about work, Technical Intern Training, Specified Skilled Worker, and other statuses of residence.
- As an Administrative Scrivener Corporation rooted locally in Miyazaki, we provide consistent support from the initial consultation through document preparation and follow-up afterward.
- We provide information in Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese.
- For those who find it difficult to visit our office, we also offer online consultations (available to those living outside Miyazaki Prefecture as well).
Free Online Tool
Check for yourself whether you may qualify for the Highly Skilled Professional status of residence — free of charge.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is a Status of Residence different from a “Visa”?
A visa is a recommendation for entry issued by a Japanese embassy or consulate overseas, while a Status of Residence is the qualification to stay within Japan. Strictly speaking they are different things, but in everyday usage they are often grouped together as a “work visa” and so on.
When do I need to change my Status of Residence?
It is required when the purpose of your stay changes. For example, when a student graduates and starts working, or when someone marries a Japanese national and switches to Spouse status, an Application for Change of Status of Residence is filed.
When can I apply to renew my period of stay?
Generally, you can apply from about three months before your period of stay expires. We recommend preparing early, well before the deadline approaches.
What are the benefits of asking a professional to handle my Status of Residence application?
A professional can accurately handle checking eligibility requirements, gathering and preparing the necessary documents, and drafting the statement of reasons, which can be expected to lower the risk of denial. It also significantly reduces the burden on you.
Can I consult with you even if I live outside Miyazaki Prefecture?
Yes. We offer online consultations, so those living outside Miyazaki Prefecture or who find it difficult to visit our office are also welcome to consult with us.
For procedures that can be filed online, such as applications for a Certificate of Eligibility, change of status of residence and extension of period of stay, we accept requests from clients nationwide. Meetings are held online (Google Meet, LINE) and documents are exchanged by mail or electronically, so there is no need to visit our office. Applications for Permission for Permanent Residence and for Permission of Naturalization cannot be filed online and must be submitted at the counter, so they are limited to residents of Miyazaki Prefecture. Depending on the procedure and its urgency, you may need to collect your Residence Card at the counter of the immigration office covering the area where you live. Online applications cannot be filed on the last day of your period of stay, so please consult us as early as possible.
For Status of Residence Consultations, Start with a Free Consultation
From obtaining, changing, and renewing your status of residence to permanent residency and naturalization. Please feel free to contact us.
*Please do not send your Residence Card or other documents via WhatsApp. We will tell you a secure way to send them.
Related pages: Individual Clients | Fee Schedule | Contact
