A Guide to Japanese Visas

XIII. Procedures After Entry into Japan

After entering Japan, foreigners may have to carry out the following procedures, depending on their status. All these procedures should be undertaken at the nearest immigration authority. Although these procedures are unrelated to acquiring visas, they are included here for reference, because the Ministry of Foreign Affairs does receive many inquiries about them. For further information, please inquire at your nearest immigration authority (not the Ministry of Foreign Affairs). (See Appendix 2 .)

Permission to extend term of residence

This permission is required when a foreigner wishes to remain in Japan under the same status of residence after the originally authorized term of residence has expired. Applications must be made before the term of residence expires.

Permission to change status of residence

This permission is required when a foreigner wishes to cease his or her present activity and engage in another activity covered by a status of residence different from the one originally granted.

Permission to engage in an activity other than that permitted by the status of residence previously granted

This permission is required when a foreigner who has a status of residence limiting his or her activities wishes to engage in an income-generating business or a paid activity that is not permitted under that status of residence. In other words, this permission is necessary if a foreigner wishes to engage in a secondary activity that belongs to a different status of residence.

Permission for permanent residence

This permission is required when a foreigner residing in Japan wishes to acquire a permanent resident status.

Permission to acquire a status of residence

This permission is required when a foreigner stays in Japan without going through entry procedures (for example, when a foreign baby is born in Japan or a person renounces Japanese nationality) and wishes to remain in Japan more than 60 days after the occurrence of the matter.

Certificate of Work Eligibility

This certificate is issued to foreigners who have a status of residence permitting them to work.

Re-entry permission

This permission is required when a foreigner residing in Japan wishes to leave the country temporarily and then return during the authorized term of residence. (Permanent foreign residents also require re-entry permission.)

Transfer of endorsements to new passport

When a foreigner obtains a new passport because the old one has become invalid or been lost, he or she must get any valid stamps for status of residence, authorized term of residence, and multiple re-entry permission transferred to the new passport.

Cancellation of passport endorsements

When a foreigner no longer requires a status of residence because, for example, he or she has acquired Japanese nationality, he or she must have all valid stamps in his or her passport canceled.

Alien registration

Another procedure that foreign residents must not forget is alien registration, which they must complete at the municipal office of the area in which they live (not at a regional immigration authority). Foreigners staying in Japan for more than 90 days are obliged to complete alien registration. (They will receive a Certificate of Alien Registration, which they must carry at all times.)