According to data from 2023, the population of Okayama Prefecture is 1.9 million. Of these, the largest number of foreigners were Vietnamese, approximately 12,000, followed by Chinese at 7,000, Korean at 4,000, and Indonesian at 3,000.
In order to ensure fair management of residence, all foreigners are required to obtain permission for entry and exit.
(Immigration control and refugee recognition law)
Status of residence/period
The status of residence is based on the qualification that allows you to work in Japan, and you will enter the country with the qualification of highly skilled professional, specified skill, or technical intern.
Highly-skilled professionals are those who are expected to contribute to Japan’s academic research or economic development, such as diplomacy, official work, teaching, etc., conducted by people who meet the standards set by ministerial ordinances.
Specified skills are those who engage in activities that require a considerable degree of knowledge or experience or skilled skills specified by Ministry of Justice ordinance in specific industrial fields based on employment contracts with domestic public and private institutions.
Technical intern training involves receiving training and engaging in work related to skills, techniques, or knowledge based on a technical intern training plan certified under the Technical Intern Training Law.
The period of stay is determined by Ministry of Justice ordinance as 3 months, 1 year, 3 years, 5 years, etc. based on each status, but the maximum period of stay is 5 years for those other than diplomats, official employees, highly skilled professionals, and permanent residents. .
However, as of 2023, there are visa exemption measures (mutual exemption) for 71 countries and regions, and in that case, a visa is not required for short-term stays such as sightseeing, such as 15 days, 30 days, and 90 days.
Purpose of residence: 27 types, including changing status after entering the country, renewing the period, inheritance as a permanent resident, etc.
Status of residence: You will be granted one of 27 statuses of residence, and your activities will be permitted within that scope.
Visa: Valid passport, certificate showing that it is safe to enter the country, entry permit (landing permit)
Once you get it Foreigners residing in Japan must carry their passports or various permits. (Article 23) The application counter is the Immigration Bureau, and the Minister of Justice conducts the certification examination. Entry into the country will be examined by an immigration officer. When you change your place of residence, you need to bring your “residence card” and notify the city office within 14 days of deciding your place of residence. In addition, even if the certificate expires, it must be returned within 14 days.
Application type
There are 8 types of applications:
① Application for issuance of Certificate of Eligibility When applying for a new application, the Minister of Justice will examine the validity of the status of residence and suitability for landing standards by submitting the application documents in advance. Short-term visitors, permanent residents, and specified activities are not eligible.
②Application for extension of period of stay If you need to extend your period of stay, you can do so with permission. Starting from 3 months before the expiry of the period of stay.
③Application for permission to change residence status This is when changing the purpose of residence.
④Application for permission to acquire residence status This is a case where you intend to continue staying in Japan without going through the landing procedures, such as when you were born in Japan or renounced your Japanese nationality. Within 30 days of birth or relinquishment of nationality.
⑤Application for permission to engage in activities other than that permitted under the status of residence previously granted Permission is required as remuneration outside the scope of qualifications is not permitted. Temporary secondary income activities such as part-time work for the purpose of paying tuition and living expenses for international students are permitted.
⑥ Application for issuance of employment qualification certificate This is proof that you are eligible to work. Document certifying confirmation by the Minister of Justice
⑦Re-entry permit application 1 If you temporarily leave a foreign country and re-enter the country, you can re-enter the country with the same status of residence as before leaving if you obtain permission in advance. The period of stay does not exceed the expiration date of the residence permit and does not exceed 5 years, and a permit is not required for re-entry within one year of departure.
⑧Permanent residence permit application This is when you wish to change your residence status to permanent resident. Permanent residents have no restrictions on their activities or period of residence, and their nationality remains the same, but screening is strict.
Application flow
When requesting an administrative scrivener, we first conduct a hearing to understand the situation.
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Collect documents We will also collect supporting materials that serve as evidence of the situation.
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Application form creation
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Confirm with applicant Signature and seal
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↓ Agency administrative scriveners have an application time reservation system.
Application Immigration Bureau
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Acceptance Application acceptance slip issued (application number received)
Application documents
If you are submitting an application on behalf of the person in question, you will need the qualification of an “Application Agent Administrative Scrivener”.
Example) When applying for technology
Although it is possible to apply for a visa directly at a Japanese embassy overseas, it is more common for the employing company to apply at a local immigration bureau.
①Company/Administrative Scrivener submits application form
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②Issuance of Certificate of Eligibility from Regional Immigration Bureau
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③ Send to foreigners and companies
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④The foreign national receives a visa from the overseas embassy
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⑤The foreigner himself landed
Landing application to airport immigration officer
Application form
・Documents related to foreigners
・Documents related to the company you intend to hireCategories
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There are four categories, each with different documents.
| １ | Listed companies, mutual insurance companies, Japanese and foreign national and local governments, independent administrative agencies, special corporations and licensed corporations, public interest corporations of Japanese national and local governments, and public corporations listed in Schedule 1 of the Corporation Tax Act. |
| ２ | Organizations and individuals with withholding tax of 15 million yen or more in the previous year’s legal record total table. |
| ３ | Organizations/individuals to whom legal record totals have been submitted, excluding Category 2 |
| ４ | Other than categories 1-3 |
・Application form for issuance of Certificate of Eligibility (1 copy), photo (1 leaf), return envelope (1 copy)
・Materials clarifying the details of the applicant’s activities, etc.
⓵When concluding a labor contract, a document that clearly states the working conditions (1 copy)
⓶ If you are taking office as an officer of a company that is a Japanese corporation, a copy of the articles of incorporation or the minutes of the general meeting of shareholders that stipulate executive compensation (1 copy)
⓷ If you are transferring to a Japanese branch of a foreign corporation or assuming the position of an officer of an organization other than a company, a document from the organization you belong to (one copy) clarifying your position (work in charge), period, and amount of remuneration to be paid.
・Documents certifying the applicant’s educational background, work history, and other career history, etc.
⓵About application: Resume (1 copy) specifying the institution, content, and period of work that required skills and knowledge.
⓶Graduation certificate from a university, etc., pass certificate/certificate for an exam/qualification related to “information processing technology” (1 copy), etc.
・Documents clarifying business details
⓵One guidebook (or equivalent document) detailing the company’s history, officers, organization, business content, etc.
⓶Corporate registration certificate (1 copy)
・Documents that clarify the reason why legal record totals such as withholding tax slips for employee salary income for the previous year cannot be submitted
⓵Copy of notification of establishment of payroll office, etc. (1 copy)
⓶ Statement of income tax collection for employment income, retirement income, etc. for the most recent three months (if you have received special treatment for delivery dates, documents that clarify the approval) (1 copy)
・An organization that is exempt from withholding tax is exempted from withholding tax for foreign corporations or other documents that clarify that they do not need to pay withholding tax (1 copy)
It can be downloaded from the Ministry of Justice website.
The Minister of Justice and the Director of the Immigration Bureau have a lot of discretion, and it is difficult to make advance judgments. Standard processing time is 1-3 months. When renewing, etc., it is necessary to notify the expiration of the period three months before the procedure can be completed.
The documents required for each category are shown in the table below.
| Categories | １ | ２ | ３ | ４ |
| Copy of quarterly report, document certifying listing (copy), document certifying permission for establishment from the competent government agency (copy) | 〇 | |||
| For those who have been granted the title of Specialist or Advanced Specialist, one document certifying this. | 〇 | 〇 | 〇 | 〇 |
| Statutory record total table such as withholding tax slip for employee salary income for the previous year (copy of one with reception stamp) | 〇 | 〇 | ||
| Materials clarifying the details of the applicant’s activities, etc. | 〇 | 〇 | ||
| Documents certifying the applicant’s educational background, work history, and other career history, etc. | 〇 | 〇 | ||
| Materials clarifying business details | 〇 | 〇 | ||
| A copy of the most recent year’s financial statements | 〇 | |||
| A copy of the financial statements for the most recent year. In the case of a new business, one copy of the business plan | 〇 | |||
Documents clarifying the reason why a legal record total table such as withholding tax slips for salary income for the previous year’s work seal cannot be submitted | 〇 |
The application requires the preparation of many documents for certification, and the Minister of Justice and the Director of the Immigration Bureau have a lot of discretion, and it may be difficult to make a decision in advance. Why not ask the administrative scrivener who handles your business?
