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 Entry to Japan
Since November 20, 2007, foreign nationals who apply for entry into Japan are required to be fingerprinted and photographed (facial photographs) by means of special devices, and then
interviewed by immigration inspectors.
The new procedures will apply to all foreign nationals upon their entry into Japan, including the case where foreign nationals with re-entry permits enter into Japan, except for the persons
eligible for exemption listed below.
If foreign nationals who are not eligible for exemption from this requirement refuse to submit their fingerprints or photographs, they will be denied entry into Japan and ordered to leave.
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Persons eligible for exemption:
1) Special permanent residents
2) Persons under the age of 16
3) Persons engaged in activities which fall under the status of residence for "Diplomat" or "Official"
4) Persons invited by the heads of administrative organs
5) Persons provided for by the Ministry of Justice Ordinance as equivalent to a person listed in 3) or 4
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Further information is available on the
Ministry of Justice website.
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5-minute publicity video entitled gLanding Examination Procedures for Japan are Changing!h is also available on the overseas channel of the government
Internet TV (channel 61).
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Re-entry Permits
Foreign nationals working in Japan who plan to temporarily leave the country need to apply for a re-entry permit (sainyukoku kyoka = ΔόΒ) before leaving. If you do not apply for the permit and try to re-enter the country without it, you will most likely be
denied re-entry
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The length of the re-entry permit will not exceed the expiration date of your visa and you can only re-enter Japan with the permit during the time period stamped in your passport. . Re-entry permits are issued on the spot at the issuing
office. Another person may apply for the re-entry permit if the applicant is younger than 16.
‘Documents to submit: Application form for re-entry permit, passport, alien registration card
Charges; single entry costs 3,000 Yen and multiple re-entry cost 6,000 Yen.
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Permission to extend your stay
If you want to extend your period of stay under your current visa category, you must apply for a visa extension before your current visa expires. You can submit an application for a visa extension up to one month before your current visa expires.
‘Documents to submit: Application form for permission to extend your period of stay, passport, alien registration card, and evidence of the need for the visa extension (documents explaining the reasons for the visa extension
request).
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Permission for change of visa category
If you stop performing the activity specified under your visa category and begin a new activity that falls under a different visa category, you must apply for a change in visa category.
‘Documents to submit: Application form for permission to change category, reason for the application (a free-format document on which the reasons for the change are to be described), passport, alien registration card, evidence for
the qualification.
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Requesting permission to engage in activities outside of the current visa category
If you want to engage in activities that are outside the scope of your current visa category, or to engage in an activity that generates an income or other form of remuneration, you must receive permission to take part in an activity that is outside the scope of
your current visa category.
‘Documents to submit: Application form for permission to engage in activity outside the scope of your current visa category, documents explaining the details of the intended activities (such as an employment contract, unless you
are a student or a student with permission to work), passport, alien registration card
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Visas for New Borns
If your child is born in Japan and will reside in Japan for more than 60 days following the date of his or her birth, and neither parent is Japanese, you must apply for a visa for the child within 30 days of the birth.
‘Documents to submit: Visa application form, infant's passport, alien registration card (only if already registered), infant's birth certificate, certificate of guarantee from supporting person, inquiry sheet (available at the
counter), passport of the supporting person.
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Permanent Residence
Permanent Residence (iZ ei-juh-ken) is one of the categories of the status of residence, which is granted for foreign nationals residing in Japan. The period of Permanent Residence is indefinite, therefore a person who has Permanent Residence status is not required
to extend period of stay, and there is no limitation on activities (a person can involve in any type of work). However you still have to apply for and use a re-entry permit when you want to go overseas and you can still be deported to your home country if you commit
a crime which falls under the cause of deportation.
There are several conditions that need to be filled in order to qualify:
‘ 1) Good conduct - the applicant has no criminal record, performs his or her duties such as public obligations, and lives daily life as a resident without being an object of contempt of society.
‘ 2) Have assets or the ability to make an independent living without any public support.
Documents to be submitted include your account balance statement, realtorfs certificates of registration and assessment of real estate property, certificate of employment, tax withholding statement, and a copy of your final tax return.
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‘ 3) Permitting permanent residence to the applicant is recognized to be in the social and economic interests of Japan.
‘ 4) Necessary Period of Stay in Japan
In general 10 continuous years or more, but there are the following exceptions:
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a) 5 continuous years or more after a student visa was changed to a work-related visa.
b) 3 years or more after the marriage to a Japanese national, permanent resident or special permanent resident and resided in Japan for one year or more.
c) 5 continuous years or more for recognized refugees
d) 5 continuous years or more after a status of long term residence was granted.
e) 5 continuous years or more after contributing to Japan in the fields of diplomacy, society, economy, or culture
Please note that satisfying all the above conditions does not guarantee that Permanent Residence status will be granted. For more details, please inquire at the immigration office.
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Obtaining Japanese Nationality via Naturalization
If you wish to obtain Japanese nationality, you may apply to the Minister of Justice (certain requirements must be satisfied). If your application is accepted, it will be noted in the Official Gazette. You must submit the application form for naturalization and other
necessary documents to your local Legal Affairs Bureau. Please contact your local Legal Affairs Bureau for details.
Nationality Section, Nagoya Bureau of Legal Affairs (Nagoya Homu-kyoku Kokuseki-ka)
‘Phone: 052-952-8111
‘Hours: Monday to Friday, 09:00-11:00 and 13:00-16:00
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All foreign nationals who enter Japan must undergo immigration control procedures, through which your visa category and period of stay in Japan are determined. Your
visa category determines the activities that you are legally permitted to perform in Japan. If you want to engage in activities outside the scope of your current visa category, or if you want to change your visa category or extend the period of your stay, you must
go to your