Consultation for Visa

We are able to assist in the following matters in which legal assistance will be helpful:

To acquire a working visa
To invite family as dependents of a foreign national (application for the issuance of a certificate of eligibility)
To establish a company in Japan and acquire a Business Manager visa
To acquire a "Specified Skilled Worker" visa
Acquisition of special permission for an overstayed foreign national
Court trial seeking the revocation of a deportation order

Need Help With A Legal Problem?

We, Nagoya International Law Office, welcome cases relating to visas. We can assist with matters such as:

I came to Japan as a student and found employment at a Japanese company after graduation. What type of visa should I obtain?
I came to Japan as an engineer and want my family to join me as dependents. Is that possible, and what is the process of obtaining the proper authorization?
I want to start a business in Japan. How do I get a business manager visa?
I will finish a Technical Intern Trainee program, what visa can I try to get?
I have overstayed my visa but I want to remain in Japan due to wanting to live with my wife in Japan. Is it possible to get a visa?
I have been arrested for overstaying and been detained in an immigration detention center. Can I be released from the immigration detention center?
How can I file a case to the court for a revocation of deportation order?
I married a Japanese person after having lost a legal suit for special permission. Is there any measure to acquire a visa?

Information on Various Visa Matters

Changing of Visa Status
Inviting Family as Dependents
Starting up a Business in Japan and acquisition of Business Manager visa
Acquisition of Specified Skilled Worker visa
Acquisition of Special Permission and Actions for the Revocation of Deportation Order

Changing of Visa Status

Resolution

You may change your visa status from student visa to working visa if you satisfy requirements.

Information

A student visa allows the visa holder to work up to 28 hours a week if you get permission to engage in activity other than that permitted under the status of residence. If you want to work more than 28 hours a week, you need to acquire a working visa.

Be aware that occupations which enable you to acquire a working visa are limited. For instance, occupations related to IT system development may satisfy requirements of an "Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services" visa, and a chef in a foreign cuisine restaurant may satisfy requirements for Skilled Labor visa, but unskilled jobs or other jobs not within the specific areas permitted by the authorities will not enable you to obtain a working visa.

As well as requirements for a working visa, you should also satisfy requirements for experience, educational background, wage, and so forth. For example, in general, you need more than 3 years' experience for an International Services visa, but there are no requirements for experience to be a translator.

Our Services

We will examine whether you satisfy requirements for changing a visa status, and provide you with information about required documents. We will submit necessary documents to the Immigration Office on your behalf, and we also prepare an opinion letter, if needed, for submission with the application.

Frequent Q&A

Q.	My visa has almost expired. Is it too late to apply for a visa status change?
A.	When you apply for a change of visa status before your visa expires, the period of your visa will be extended for 2 months at most. Please be advised that since you need time for preparation of an application to extend or change a visa, it is best to consult about a visa status change as soon as possible.

My visa has almost expired. Is it too late to apply for a visa status change?

When you apply for a change of visa status before your visa expires, the period of your visa will be extended for 2 months at most.

Please be advised that since you need time for preparation of an application to extend or change a visa, it is best to consult about a visa status change as soon as possible.

Q.	How long does it take to receive a result for changing a visa status?
A.	The average duration for a result is generally 1 to 2 months.

Q.	I have already applied for changing a visa status, but it was rejected. Can I apply a second time?
A.	Yes. You can ask the immigration office to tell you the reasons for rejection. By correcting problems which occurred in the first application, there is potential for gaining permission to change your visa status.

Q.	Can I take legal action to challenge the rejection of a change of visa status application?
A.	Yes. Within 6 months from when you received the rejection notice, you can file a lawsuit. We will support you from application to lawsuit through the same attorney who will help create a statement which is detailed and presents your position as strongly as possible.

Q.	Can I receive a visa to remain in Japan to be able to manage a company?
A.	If the office is located in Japan and the company meets the requirements of the applicable laws, you may obtain a Business Manager visa. It is advisable to invest at least 5,000,000 yen to your company and you are required to submit a business plan which we can help you.

Can I receive a visa to remain in Japan to be able to manage a company?

If the office is located in Japan and the company meets the requirements of the applicable laws, you may obtain a Business Manager visa.

It is advisable to invest at least 5,000,000 yen to your company and you are required to submit a business plan which we can help you.

Inviting Family as Dependents (Application for the Issuance of a Certificate of Eligibility)

Resolution

You may be able to arrange for members of your family living overseas to join you in Japan if you have a particular visa which satisfies the requirements.

Information

To invite family as dependents, you should apply for the issuance of a certificate of eligibility. An application for a certificate of eligibility asks the Immigration Office to examine your documentation against the requirements in the immigration rules, and if the documentation is sufficient permission will be granted. Before family members will be allowed to reside in Japan, the family must submit the certificate of eligibility to the Japanese embassy in their country, and acquire a visa to enter Japan as dependents.

For example, with an "Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services" visa status you can invite your spouse and children if you earn enough to be financially responsible for your family members during their time in Japan.

Our Services

We, Nagoya International Law Office will examine whether you and your family satisfy requirements for a dependent visa and provide you with information about required documents. We will submit them to the Immigration Office on your behalf and we also prepare an opinion paper if needed.

Frequent Q&A

Q.	My father is at an advanced age and is living alone in my original country. Is it possible to invite him as a dependent?
A.	There is possibility that your father may obtain a Designated Activity visa. However, a certificate of eligibility may not be applied, and recently it is very difficult to get such a visa. It is best to consult a professional in regard to options.

Q.	I want to invite my family member, but she has overstayed in Japan before. Is it possible to invite her?
A.	People who have been deported from Japan are generally not allowed to enter Japan for a fixed term such as 5 years, 10 years, or permanently. However, in special occasions, you may invite your family during the restriction period. We will support you with acquiring special permission.

Q.	How long does it take to receive a result of certificate for eligibility?
A.	The average duration for a result is approximately 1 month to 3 months.

Q.	Is it possible to take action to challenge the rejection of the issuance of a certificate of eligibility?
A.	Yes. Within 6 months from when you received the rejection notice, you can file a lawsuit. We will support from application to lawsuit through the same attorney who will help create a statement which is detailed and presents your position as strongly as possible.

Starting up a Business in Japan and Business Manager visa

Resolutions

You can start up a business in Japan even though you are a foreign national. You can engage in almost any area of business, although there are some restrictions for international investors. You must have prepared in advance of starting the business all documents required by law, for example the articles of incorporation in Japanese. Therefore, it is highly recommended to consult with a lawyer and utilize the lawyer's services to ensure that all documents are properly prepared.

If you would like to acquire a Business Manager visa for starting up a business in Japan, you must apply for changing your visa status at an Immigration Office. If you hire a lawyer, you will be able to avoid unnecessary trouble and delay.

Information

You can design organizations freely, for example the number of directors, board of directors, types of stocks, and so forth, according to the Companies Act in Japan. You can choose whether each shareholder selects directors depending on the number of shares or the major shareholder chooses all directors, and you can also give veto to some shareholders or directors.

If you are thinking of acquiring a Business Manager visa for starting up a business, it is highly advisable to invest at least 5,000,000 yen into the company, to establish a business office or place of business for the corporation, and to prepare and submit a business plan to the Immigration Office. The business plan should include the business's plan to have revenues and/or expenses exceeding 5 million yen each year. The Immigration Office usually reviews and considers the feasibility of the business plan, so the business plan must be complete and defensible.

Our Services

We will create a framework of organization according to your business plan, type of business, or any other requests. After that, we will prepare the articles of incorporation for adoption and submission to the Immigration Office. We collaborate with an experienced judicial scrivener (Shiho Shoshi) to perform the registration process. If you wish to acquire a Business Manager visa, we will help to make a business plan according to your requests and the requirements of the applicable laws. You can rely on us even if the Immigration Office gives you supplementary requests with a tight deadline.

Frequent Q&A

Q.	Can I start up a business by myself?
A.	You can start up by yourself in Japan. One shareholder and one director satisfies the requirement to establish a company.

Q.	How much money do I need for a capital fund?
A.	You can start up with only one (1) yen. However, if you would like to acquire a Business Manager visa, we recommend you start up a company with at least 5 million yen of capital funds.

Q.	Can I start up a business in Japan even though I am living outside Japan?
A.	The best way is that you come to Japan for the procedure, but you can also start up even when you are outside of Japan. We would be happy to assist in these matters via a consultation.

Acquisition of Specified Skilled Worker visa

Resolution

You can enter into or stay in Japan with Specified Skilled Worker visa, if you pass the skills exam for that position and also pass a Japanese language test. Foreign nationals who have successfully completed a Technical Intern Trainee program in Japan are exempt from the skills exam and Japanese language test. If you are issued a Specified Skilled Worker visa, you can work in Japan for 5 years or more.

Information

You can work for the following fields with a Specified Skilled Worker visa.

Nursing care
Building cleaning management
Machine parts & tooling industries/Industrial machinery industry/ Electric, electronics and information industries
Construction Industry
Shipbuilding and ship machinery industry
Automobile repair and maintenance
Aviation Industry
Hospitality/Accommodation Industry
Agriculture
Fishery & aquaculture
Manufacture of food and beverages
Food service industry

To acquire a Specified Skilled Worker visa, you have to pass the skills exam which is particularized for each field and the Japanese language proficiency exam, such as the JLPT N4 or other similar language test. If you pass both exams and get a position of which you passed the skills exam in a company, you can apply for Specified Skilled Worker visa. There are two types of Specified Skilled Worker visa, (i) and (ii). You can work for a company with Specified Skilled Worker visa (i) for initial 5 years. Then if you pass another skills exam, you can get Specified Skilled Worker visa (ii) for unlimited period. (If your field is "nursing," you have to obtain a "Nursing Care" visa instead of Specified Skilled Worker visa (ii).)

For Specified Skilled Worker visa holders, you may be able to receive many supports from your employer such as orientation for Japanese rules and manners for Japanese life, housing, opening a bank account, contract for mobile phone, and consultation in your native language etc.

Our Services

To acquire a Specified Skilled Worker visa, you and your employer must submit so many documents to the Immigration Office. We will help you and your employer to prepare such documents. Especially when a company employs the first Specified Skilled Worker visa holder, the company will face difficulties in completing necessary documentation properly and sometimes will abandon the plan to employ you. We will support such company to complete the procedure so that it will not abandon its decision to employ you.

Frequent Q&A

Q.	Can I bring my family to Japan if I have a Specified Skilled Worker visa?
A.	You cannot bring your family to Japan if you have a Specified Skilled Worker visa (i) (which covers your initial 5 years), but you can bring your family when you obtain a Specified Skilled Worker visa (ii) after the initial 5 years.

Q.	Can I change my workplace with Specified Skilled Worker visa?
A.	Yes. You can change your workplace or employer freely. However, if you change to a new work field, you have to pass the skills exam for the new field.

Q.	How often should I renew my Specified Skilled Worker visa?
A.	Even though the Specified Skilled Worker visa (i) covers your first 5 years and the Specified Skilled Worker visa (ii) covers you after the initial 5 years, visas must be renewed more frequently. The visa period will be 4 months, 6 months or 1 year, so you have to renew your visa status at least every one year.

Q.	If I complete a Technical Intern Trainee program successfully for 3 years, can I get Specified Skilled Worker visa without taking a skills exam?
A.	If you work for the same company or in the same field in which you worked as Technical Intern Trainee, you do not have to take any exams. However, if you want to work in other fields, you have to take the skills exam for that field.

Q.	Can I change my visa from refugee application visa (Designate Activity visa) to Specified Skilled Worker visa?
A.	You can change your visa from Designated Activity to Specified Skilled Worker visa. However, if you are in the position of provisional release or are under Supervision Measures (Kanri-Sochi), you cannot get a Specified Skilled Worker visa.

Q.	Can I apply for Permanent visa status from Specified Skilled Worker visa?
A.	Permanent visa requires a 10 years stay in Japan. Therefore, during Specified Skilled Worker visa (i) period, you will not be able to apply for Permanent visa status. However, if you satisfy 10 years requirement during Specified Skilled Worker visa (ii) period, you are eligible to apply for Permanent visa status.

Acquisition of Special Permission and Actions for the Revocation of Deportation Order

Resolution

If your visa is revoked or you commit a crime, you will be required to leave Japan. Support by an attorney in the deportation process may enable the acquisition of special permission.

After receiving the deportation order, we will support you with actions for the revocation of a deportation order. We can also support you to obtain permission to shorten the 5 or 10 years prohibited period to re-enter Japan after deportation, which was introduced in 2024.

Information

If your visa has expired and you are overstaying but you want to remain in Japan, you must acquire special permission from the Immigration Office.

Requirements for special permission are not listed clearly in the law, and the permission is determined by the Immigration Office in its discretion considering many elements. The Immigration Act and Guidelines illustrate the factors such as marriage to a Japanese citizen, raising Japanese children, the period of the overstay, criminal record and behavior, and similar criteria.

Especially, marriage with a Japanese citizen or a permanent resident will be an important, positive element, whereas commitment of crime will be a detrimental, negative element.

Our Services

In the deportation process and the application for special permission process, we will submit an opinion paper with evidence and attend the final interview. Through the process, we will negotiate with the Immigration Office to try to convince it to provide you with special permission.

In the trial, we will submit strong arguments on your behalf referring to evidence and apply for your questioning session for the court to recognize you specifically require special permission.

If the trial is not successful, if there are changes in your family situation, we will endeavor to re-apply for special permission through an application to the Immigration Office or to get permission to shorten the restriction period to enter Japan.

Frequent Q&A

Q.	If I am overstaying and appear to an Immigration Office voluntarily, will I be detained?
A.	The immigration basically does not detain you, if you voluntarily appear to the Immigration Office to declare you are overstaying.

Q.	If I am overstaying and appear to an Immigration Office voluntarily, will I be deported from Japan?
A.	If you offer to leave voluntarily, you will not be deported. You can leave Japan on your own and the restriction period to re-enter Japan will be only one year.

Q.	I am overstaying but marry a Japanese citizen and appear to an Immigration Office voluntarily to stay in Japan. Will I be deported from Japan?
A.	You will be provided a chance to get special permission to stay in Japan depending on your situation. If you plan to marry a Japanese, a permanent resident or a long-term resident, we strongly recommend that you appear at the Immigration Office even before marriage. If you do not do so, there is a risk you will be arrested while you are waiting for marriage. As mentioned above, you will not be detained if you appear to the Immigration Office voluntarily even before marriage.

I am overstaying but marry a Japanese citizen and appear to an Immigration Office voluntarily to stay in Japan. Will I be deported from Japan?

You will be provided a chance to get special permission to stay in Japan depending on your situation. If you plan to marry a Japanese, a permanent resident or a long-term resident, we strongly recommend that you appear at the Immigration Office even before marriage. If you do not do so, there is a risk you will be arrested while you are waiting for marriage. As mentioned above, you will not be detained if you appear to the Immigration Office voluntarily even before marriage.

Q.	I am overstaying and plan to marry a Japanese, but I was arrested by the police before marriage. Will I be deported from Japan?
A.	It depends on your situation, but this case is much more difficult to get special permission than a voluntary appearance case. Nowadays, the Immigration Office is much stricter than before. So you should consult with a lawyer if you are in this situation, to be guided on the best way to proceed.

Q.	How long does it take to receive a result of the trial for the revocation of the deportation order?
A.	It depends on the factors of each case, but normally it approximately takes a year. If you appeal that initial decision (if it is unfavorable) to a High Court, it approximately takes 6 months.

Q.	Can I file a case to the court at any time?
A.	Concerning action for the revocation of a deportation order, you must file a case to the court within 6 months from when you received the deportation order.

Q.	If I marry a Japanese after I get the deportation order, will I be able to get special permission?
A.	Nowadays, the Immigration Office is quite strict and barely gives special permission in these circumstances. However, the Immigration Office may give you permission to shorten your restriction period to enter Japan. If you are given this permission and leave Japan, you can enter Japan after one year, instead of 5 years. The conditions to get permission to shorten your restriction period are complicated. We recommend you consult an expert attorney.

If I marry a Japanese after I get the deportation order, will I be able to get special permission?

Nowadays, the Immigration Office is quite strict and barely gives special permission in these circumstances. However, the Immigration Office may give you permission to shorten your restriction period to enter Japan. If you are given this permission and leave Japan, you can enter Japan after one year, instead of 5 years. The conditions to get permission to shorten your restriction period are complicated. We recommend you consult an expert attorney.

Q.	I have a criminal record and the Immigration Office has started deportation procedure. Will I have a chance to get special permission?
A.	It depends on your crime and other situations such as your residential history in Japan, for example, if you were educated in Japan and your family relations, such as with your wife and children etc. We strongly recommend you consult an expert attorney before you are given a deportation order or, if you are given a deportation order, as soon as possible.

Q.	Can I get provisional release from immigration detention center during deportation procedure?
A.	Provisional release will be permitted only with reasons such as illness or humanitarian reason. You have to apply "Supervision Measures (Kanri-Sochi)" instead of provisional release. If you are granted Supervision Measures, you will be released from the immigration detention center. Unfortunately, it has recently been ruled that the Immigration Office will not allow an attorney to represent a detained person seeking Supervision Measures. (Information on June 2025)

Can I get provisional release from immigration detention center during deportation procedure?

Provisional release will be permitted only with reasons such as illness or humanitarian reason. You have to apply "Supervision Measures (Kanri-Sochi)" instead of provisional release. If you are granted Supervision Measures, you will be released from the immigration detention center. Unfortunately, it has recently been ruled that the Immigration Office will not allow an attorney to represent a detained person seeking Supervision Measures. (Information on June 2025)

Q.	What are Supervision Measures (Kanri-Sochi)?
A.	Supervision Measures (Kanri-Sochi) is an alternative measure to release a detained person from the immigration detention center instead of provisional release. The difference is that you have to appoint someone who will be responsible for supervising you. The supervisor must report your situation to the Immigration Office periodically. If the supervisor makes a false report, for example, in which you are not working even though you are actually working, the supervisor will be punished.

What are Supervision Measures (Kanri-Sochi)?

Supervision Measures (Kanri-Sochi) is an alternative measure to release a detained person from the immigration detention center instead of provisional release. The difference is that you have to appoint someone who will be responsible for supervising you. The supervisor must report your situation to the Immigration Office periodically. If the supervisor makes a false report, for example, in which you are not working even though you are actually working, the supervisor will be punished.

Q.	Will I be forcefully deported from Japan after I receive the deportation order?
A.	There is a possibility you will be forcefully deported from Japan at any time. To avoid sudden deportation, you can ask an attorney to submit on your behalf a "Letter to demand the advance notice for deportation." If the attorney submits this letter to the Immigration Office, the Immigration Office will inform you of the timing of your deportation to the attorney around two months before your deportation. Then you can prepare to leave Japan or you may take legal action to try to cancel or delay the deportation with assistance of the attorney.

Will I be forcefully deported from Japan after I receive the deportation order?

There is a possibility you will be forcefully deported from Japan at any time. To avoid sudden deportation, you can ask an attorney to submit on your behalf a "Letter to demand the advance notice for deportation." If the attorney submits this letter to the Immigration Office, the Immigration Office will inform you of the timing of your deportation to the attorney around two months before your deportation. Then you can prepare to leave Japan or you may take legal action to try to cancel or delay the deportation with assistance of the attorney.