1. Status of Residence
2. Changing Status of Residence
3. A permit for extra-status activities (e.g. a person intends to engage in a part-time job)
4. Extension of period and stay
5. Illegal Employment and Deportation
6. Alien Registration

1. Status of Residence

      Foreign nationals residing in Japan are authorized to engage in the activities (Business and Employment, and so on) which fall under their status of residence granted at the time of their entry into Japan, and they are permitted to stay in Japan within the period of stay determined according to their status of residence.
     When a foreign national wishes to change his/her status of residence after entry; extend his/her period of stay or obtain a permit for extra - status activities, it is necessary to apply at the Immigration Bureau.
     A foreign national residing in Japan must carry his/her passport with him/her at all times. However, if he/she has received a“ Certificate of Alien Registration” and carries it with him/her, he/she need not carry his/her passport. In case a foreign national has lost his/her passport, it is necessary that a new passport or a substitute is issued by the embassy of his/ her home country in Japan.
     The list of status of residence under the Immigration Control Act is shown in the following table




  Period of Stay
1, 3Years, 1 year of 6 months
2, the period which the Minister of Justice designates for each foreigner within a one year period

2. Changing Status of Residence

      It is necessary to apply to change one's status of residence if a foreign national desires to change it.

(1) In the case of a change in occupation;
     Permission is needed from the Immigration Bureau when a change of occupation will affect the status of residence. For instance, a person, whose status is“ Specialist in Humanities /International Services”, gives up his/her job and begins to teach at a college with the status of“ Instructor”, requires permission to change status.
     It is not necessary to file previously with the Immigration Bureau an application for change of status when a person takes up other employment, if the activity comes under the same status as already held. However, if the person concerned feels some anxiety on his/her change in occupation, he/she may file an application for the certificate of authorized employment, for the purpose of confirmation by submitting the documents showing the details of a new working place. If he/she does not have the certificate of authorized employment, it is necessary to submit relevant documents showing the details of any change in employment when next applying for extension of period of stay. An example would be that a cook, whose status is “Skilled Labor”, changes only his/her working place, and is still employed as a cook.
     It is essential that a report is made to the mayor or head of the ward, city, town or village within 14 days, when foreign nationals change thier jobs. (Article 9- 1, Alien Registration Act)

(2) In cases of employment when under a status prohibiting work
     An application for changing status of residence is required when a student under a“ college student” status hopes to be employed in Japan after his/her graduation. (Article 20, Immigration Control Act)
     In principle, the status of a “temporary visitor” cannot become employed. He/she should leave Japan in order to get a new visa at a Japanese embassy or legation abroad. Then the foreign national will be able to re - enter with a suitable visa for his/her proposed activity.
     However it is possible to change the status of residence, based on social status or relationship. An example is that when a foreigner, whose status does not allow employment, changes his/her status to“ Spouse or child of Japanese National” as a result of getting married to a Japanese national, it is not necessary to leave Japan for a new visa.

3. A permit for extra-status activities (e.g. a person intends to engage in a part-time job)

     A person needs to apply for and obtain permission in advance at the Immigration Bureau, in order to be able to engage in an activity other than that permitted by the status of residence previously granted.
     Such a person would be a college student or a pre ? college student who wants to have a part - time job. An application for those students is made by the educational organization, and permission is generally given without restrictions on working time zones or place, except for business which may affect public　 morals. Working hours shall be limited to up to 28 hours a week　(14 hours for a auditor).
     It is also necessary to get a permit when a foreigner, whose status does not allow work, for example“ Cultural Activities”, wishes to work as a part - timer. He/she should report the occupation's duties and place to the Immigration Bureau before starting a part - time jobs

4. Extension of period and stay

     The period of stay is determined together with the status of residence at the time of landing, the change of status of residence, etc. A foreign national is permitted to stay in Japan within the period of stay thus determined. Therefore, a foreign national who wishes to extend his/her period of stay should apply for permission for an extension of period of stay, not later than the expiry date of the authorized period of stay. An application for extension of period of stay will be accepted from about one month prior to that date.
     Anyone who stays in Japan beyond his/her authorized period of stay may be subjected to punishment and/or deportation (Article 24 Item 4 and Article 70 Item 5, the Immigrat

5. Illegal Employment and Deportation

(1) Illegal Employment
     The following are examples of cases of "Illegal Employment";
a.　Employment activities of foreigners without the proper status of residence, who enter illegally or stay beyond the authorized period of stay.
b.　Employment activities above and beyond the status of residence undertaken without permission.
     Illegal workers may be subject to punishment and/or deportation.
     And the persons, who employ these illegal workers might also be subjected to punishment for the crime of“ assisting of illegal workers”. (The punishment is imprisonment for up to 3 years and/or a fine of up to 3,000,000.)

(2) Deportation
    Foreigners may be deported from Japan under the Immigration Control Acts for the following reasons;
a.　illegal entry,
b.　illegal landing,
c.　illegal over staying,
d.　illegal activities other than those permitted by their status of residence and
e.　violation of Acts and regulations.
     The procedure of deportation is as shown below, to take into account the foreigner's human rights.


     If your passport is lost or not in your possession it is essential that you be issued a replacement passport or a substitute at the Embassy of your home country in Japan.

6. Alien Registration

     All foreign nationals residing in Japan are required to register within 90 days of their arrival in Japan, at the municipal office of the city, ward, town, or village in which they are living. When the registration has been carried out, a certificate of Alien registration bearing the registered information will be issued to the registrant by the mayor or headperson of the ward, city, town or village.
     When any change occurs in the registered information, which may be about the place of residence, etc., 　it is necessary to inform the mayor or headperson. All registrants (except persons under the age of 16 years) are required to apply for confirmation of registered information (an “Application for Confirmation of Registered Information”) every 5 years.　
     An application for re-issue of a lost certificate is required　within 14 days of the loss.