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The following is a list of typical questions we receive from our office. If you have any other questions, we will be happy to answer them by email or chat, so please do not hesitate to ask.

About our services

Is the consultation free of charge?

A fee is charged for meetings with a Gyoseishoshi immigration lawyer. The first individual meeting at our office costs ¥ 11,000 yen (tax included) for an initial meeting of up to 60 minutes.
After signing the contract, we deduct the cost of the interview, which is effectively 0 yen. So please feel free to consult with us! On-site visits are also available, but may incur additional costs and transport charges.
Online interviews are also available (however, online is for 30 minutes).

Do I need an appointment for consultations or requests?

Yes. Whether you come to our office or consult online, all consultations are by appointment only. Please make an appointment by email, phone, WeChat, Line, etc. Please note that we cannot respond to visits without an appointment.

What regions are covered?

The service is available throughout Japan. Our main area of jurisdiction is the Tokyo Immigration Bureau, but as the Immigration Bureau’s online system has been expanded from 2022, the Immigration Bureau also accepts correspondence from Sendai Immigration Bureau, Nagoya Immigration Bureau, Sapporo Immigration Bureau, Osaka Immigration Bureau, Hiroshima Immigration Bureau, Takamatsu Immigration Bureau, Fukuoka Immigration Bureau, Naha Immigration Bureau and others. No travel expenses are incurred. (Some types of applications, such as permanent residence applications, currently cannot be submitted online.)
Third country visas such as Australian, US and UK visas can also be handled throughout Japan.

When should I pay you?

For immigration services (Japan visas), there are two payment periods.

  • At the time of request: half of the remuneration fee. You will also be asked to pay the actual costs, including the cost of revenue stamps.
  • After receipt of results: pay the balance of the remuneration.

For third country visas, such as Australian, US and UK visas, the full fee is payable at the start of the process.

I intend to apply myself. Can I only ask for advice?

You are welcome to request an interview only, as we will guide you through the individual interview so that you can deal with the issue yourself.
In addition, we can also accept requests for the preparation of a statement of reasons only. Please see our price list.

I don’t speak Japanese, is that a problem?

Chinese and English are available.
For other languages, bring someone who can speak Japanese.

I can’t find time during weekday office hours, can you offer support on weekends and public holidays?

Saturdays are only available for those who have booked in advance. Sundays, public holidays or evenings can be arranged at your convenience, please contact us for more information.

I will be driving to your office, is there parking available?

If you come to our office by car, please use a nearby toll car park.

Can you apply for a visa on behalf of someone in a foreign country?

When bringing in a person in a foreign country, the Gyoseishoshi Lawyer handles the application for a Certificate of Eligibility. The applicant must then go to the Japanese embassy in the country and apply for the certificate himself/herself.
On the other hand, for foreigners already in Japan, Gyoseishoshi Lawyer handles everything from application to receipt at the Immigration Bureau. You do not have to go to the Immigration Bureau and wait in line. In cases where it is difficult to go to the Immigration Bureau, such as for families with small children, Gyoseishoshi Lawyer’s assistance can be used.

My family has been back in our home country for a while and they are not in Japan now. Do they have to come back to Japan when they renew their visa?

They must be in Japan at the time of visa renewal, once when they submit their application and once when they receive the result.
The Gyoseishoshi Lawyer will actually go to the Immigration Office to apply and receive the results on their behalf, but will need to keep their passports and residence cards. The Gyoseishoshi Lawyer will need to meet them in Japan and take custody of these documents. If your family members wish to renew their visa, they must return to Japan before the expiry date.

Which visa applies to me? I am not sure about the different types of visas.

Your circumstances and the purpose for which you wish to stay in Japan will determine which visa applies. Our a Gyoseishoshi Lawyer will listen to you and make a decision. Please feel free to contact us.

What are my visa’s chances of being approved?

Although the Gyoseishoshi Lawyer cannot make a definite decision on whether or not permission is granted, the possibility of granting permission is determined by taking into account his extensive experience and the trends in the Immigration Bureau’s examination criteria. In principle, we will not accept cases where the Gyoseishoshi Lawyer judges that there is less than a 50% chance of permission.

When can I apply to renew my visa (status of residence)?

Applications are accepted at the Immigration Bureau from “approximately three months” before the expiry of the period of stay. If the application is made too early (early application), special reasons are required and a statement of reasons is also necessary. Please contact us for more information.

Do I need to leave my passport and residence card with you while I am applying for a visa (residence status)?

In principle, we have introduced online applications, so we do not need to take your passport and residence card. After checking the originals, we will make a copy and return them to you on the spot. After permission is granted, you will need to hand over your residence card (in order to exchange it for a new card).
However, in the case of permanent residence permit applications and other special applications, we may need to temporarily take your passport and residence card.

How long does it take to complete?

It usually takes about a week to apply to the immigration bureau once all the documents you need to prepare have been received.
It is difficult to say how long it takes for the immigration bureau to examine your case, but in the case of visa changes or extensions (renewals), it takes between two weeks and one month, although in some cases it can take a few months. In the case of a call-in from abroad (application for Certificate of Eligibility), it takes one to three months.

What happens in case of non-approval?

We will accompany you to the immigration office for a hearing on the reasons for refusal. We will then follow up with you to re-apply.
However, the contract will be terminated immediately if it is rejected due to a false application or forged document.

About the common cases

After submitting my COE application, can I enter Japan on a tourist visa first?

After my sponsoring company begins the application process for my COE, is it legally possible for me to enter Japan early on a tourist visa to prepare for my relocation?

Answer

Even after your COE application is submitted to the Immigration Bureau, you may enter Japan on a tourist visa during the review period. However, you cannot begin working, of course. After the COE is issued, you must generally return to your home country, obtain a work visa at the Japanese embassy, and re-enter Japan. However, in some cases, it may be possible to change from a tourist visa to a work visa while remaining in Japan. Please consult us if this applies to you.

Can I change from a Tourist Visa to a Student Visa?

While in Japan on a tourist visa, I obtained a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) for a Student Visa. Can I switch directly from a tourist visa to a Student Visa? I was already in Japan before applying for the COE and remain here after its issuance. I read on your site that obtaining a visa within Japan is possible.

Answer

To use the COE to directly change to a student visa, you need the school to reissue the Application for Change of Status of Residence. First, please ask the school if they can handle this. If the university responds that they will not issue the Application for Change of Status of Residence for the organizational part, changing your status of residence within Japan is likely impossible. As a rule, you should return to your home country to apply for the visa.

Issues Regarding Job Offers Obtained on a Tourist Visa

I was living in Japan on a student visa. After graduating from Japanese language school, I did my best to get hired by a company before my student visa expired, but I was unsuccessful and had to return to my home country. I am currently in Japan on a tourist visa. If I am fortunate enough to be hired by a company and receive a Certificate of Eligibility before my tourist visa expires, is it possible to apply for a change of status without leaving Japan?

Answer

It is still possible to apply to change your status of residence from “Temporary Visitor” to a work visa (such as Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services Visa) while in Japan. However, this requires that you are physically present in Japan when the Certificate of Eligibility (COE) is issued, and that your employer has all the necessary preparations for the status change application ready.

Please note, however, that the Immigration Bureau does not guarantee the timing of COE issuance. If the 90-day tourist stay period expires before the COE is ready, you must leave Japan and apply for the work visa from abroad. Unfortunately, waiting in Japan on a tourist visa while the COE issuance timing remains uncertain always carries a certain risk.

My visa expires tomorrow, what should I do?

To avoid overstaying, you should go to the immigration office immediately for advice.
It does not matter if you do not have all the documents. A Gyoseishoshi Lawyer can accompany you, please contact us by email as soon as possible.

Where do I apply for a visa?

The contact point for visa (status of residence) applications is the regional immigration office with jurisdiction over the address. Here is the list of the regional immigration bureau.

Regarding the location of the immigration office

Is it possible to submit the application at the Yokohama Immigration Bureau? Last time I applied at the Tokyo Immigration Bureau, the review took about three months, so I would prefer to apply at the Yokohama Immigration Bureau this time if possible.

Answer

If you entrust your application to Yokoyama International Legal Service Office, we will submit it online. While online applications do not allow you to choose the processing location, if your address is in Kanagawa Prefecture, the online review will likely be conducted at the Yokohama Immigration Bureau. However, it is not possible to say definitively whether the Tokyo Immigration Bureau is slower or the Yokohama Immigration Bureau is faster. This depends on the individual case.

Yokoyama International Legal Affairs Office, a certified administrative scrivener, can file online applications with immigration offices nationwide.

オンラインによる在留手続スタートアップガイド～弁護士・行政書士～

オンラインによる在留手続スタートアップガイド～弁護士・行政書士～（出入国在留管理庁より）

YOKOYAMA LEGAL SERVICE OFFICE can apply online to the regional immigration bureau in Japan. Our Office supports online applications through the Residence Application Online System. As a result, we can accept requests from foreigners residing in all parts of Japan. Please feel free to contact us.

*There are certain residence applications or statuses of residence that are not covered by the system. In such cases, the application must be made at the immigration bureau counter, not via the online application.

Even after six months, I have not received any notification from the Immigration Bureau.

I applied for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) for a spouse visa. About one month after applying, I was notified to submit a Japanese translation of my marriage certificate. Since I don’t speak Japanese, with a friend’s help, I translated it from the original French to English and then generated a Japanese translation. After another month passed, the Immigration Bureau requested several additional documents. I visited the Immigration Bureau office and submitted them. However, it has now been six months since I applied, and I am still waiting. What could be wrong with my application? Please help!

Answer

All we can do is review copies of all the documents you have already submitted to anticipate and analyze potential issues. Upon reviewing the documents, there may be additional documents or explanations you should voluntarily submit.

I’m anxious because I don’t know the status of the review…

I am currently in a very difficult situation, unsure of what to do and filled with anxiety. I received a job offer from a Japanese company through a recruitment agency. I am now waiting for the Certificate of Eligibility (COE) to be issued. I understand the application was submitted online two months ago, but I only received a PDF copy of the receipt, which does not include details like the application number. As a result, I cannot check the progress and feel extremely anxious. The agent has provided little follow-up, and I’m unsure what to do. If possible, could you offer advice or support regarding the COE application?

Answer

The time required for COE issuance varies depending on the location of the Immigration Bureau. Additionally, the company’s background (such as its size or circumstances) can sometimes cause the review process to take longer. First, please check the progress with the agent who submitted your COE application. The Immigration Services Agency also publishes the average processing time for residence status applications at regional immigration bureaus nationwide. Please refer to this information. I’m sorry, but since I did not submit your application and have not seen any documents, I cannot determine whether your application has issues or is problem-free. If it is problematic, it’s easy to imagine why it might take a long time. That could be the cause. If you have the application documents, showing them to me might allow me to point out any irregularities. However, since we did not submit the application, we generally cannot request anything from the Immigration Bureau.

Renewal of Permanent Resident’s Residence Card and Mother’s Visa Application

My permanent resident card expires on December 1st, so I need to renew it. Additionally, my mother will need to apply for a visa. She was formerly a Japanese national but has acquired U.S. citizenship.

Answer

Regarding the renewal of your Permanent Resident Card, you can apply starting two months before the expiration date. For your mother’s visa application, since she is a former Japanese national, you, as her resident in Japan, can prepare the necessary documents and apply for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) while she is staying in the United States. To proceed with this process, proof of her former Japanese nationality is required.

I am working in Japan on a work visa. I heard that it is easy to bring in family members, so I applied to the immigration office myself, but after three months I still haven’t received permission. Is there a problem?

It may simply be that there are so many applications that it is taking a long time, or there may be points in the application or documents that are unclear or seem strange. If you show us the application documents you submitted to the immigration bureau, our Gyoseishoshi Lawyer will be able to identify some of the problems. We recommend that you voluntarily submit additional supplementary documents if necessary.

I received a sudden notice from the Immigration Department stating that I must appear in order for my status to be cancelled. Will I be deported? What should I do?

If the visa is found to have been obtained by false or fraudulent means, the status of residence will be cancelled and deportation proceedings will be taken immediately. If you meet the requirements for revocation of your status of residence for other reasons, even if your status of residence is revoked, you will be given a reprieve to prepare for departure. You will not be deported directly after presenting yourself at the immigration office. When the immigration inspector asks for an opinion, the foreigner can state his/her opinion and provide evidence. In some cases, if the misunderstanding is cleared up, the case may not be cancelled. First of all, please consult with us before the appearance date. We will work together to find a solution.

I have a student visa, but I worked part-time in a convenience store throughout my studies. I would like to get a job at this convenience store after I graduate from university, but I won’t get a visa for working at a convenience store, will I?

Unfortunately, a work visa is not granted for a job as a cashier in a convenience store, as it does not meet the requirements. However, this does not mean that it is impossible to find work in a convenience store at all; depending on the actual nature and volume of the work, a visa may be granted. This is true even if you work in a restaurant or shop. The Gyoseishoshi Lawyer will ask you about the detailed nature and volume of your work and determine your possibilities.

My husband is Japanese and our family is currently living abroad, but he will be returning to Japan. Can I apply for a spouse visa before my husband returns to Japan?

Normally, the husband or wife in Japan applies for a visa by inviting the husband (or wife) abroad, but even if the Japanese husband (or wife) is not in Japan, the Japanese relative, such as parents or siblings can apply for a visa on his/her behalf if the Japanese relative lives in Japan. The Japanese husband (wife) does not need to return to Japan to apply for the visa.

My parents brought me to Japan when I was very young, but I cannot change my visa to a work visa because I do not have any education. Can I change to a visa that allows me to work?

If you are recognised for your ability to settle in Japan, for example, you may be able to change your visa to a work-enabled visa. Please ask us for the detail.

I’m going to apply today, but is the immigration office busy?

You can find out how busy the Tokyo Immigration Bureau is by checking the official X account of the Tokyo Regional Immigration Bureau. Please refer to this.

In addition, if you request our services, you will not need to go to the Immigration Bureau in person. If you have small children at home or it is difficult for you to go to the Immigration Bureau, please make use of a government-certified Gyoseishoshi lawyer.

I have heard that immigration checks have recently become more stringent – is this true?

In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of cases of visas obtained by fraudulent means, such as sham marriages and sham recognition, as well as sham employment and sham refugee status, and the Immigration Department has strengthened its screening procedures to deal with these malicious applications.
In some cases, people who have been granted a visa without any problems in the past may end up with a visa renewal application that is not granted. To avoid panic when applying for a visa renewal next year, we recommend that you consult with a Gyoseishoshi Lawyer specialising in immigration matters in advance to determine whether the extension will be granted without problems. The requirements for visa extension renewal are as follows. If it is difficult for you to check them yourself, we can diagnose the problem during an individual interview. If you do not meet the requirements, please contact us for advice.

  • Does the activity in Japan correspond to the status of residence?
  • Do you meet the criteria for landing permission as stipulated by the Ministry of Justice?
  • Is the applicant of good conduct?
  • Do you have sufficient assets to earn an independent living?
  • Are the employment and working conditions adequate?
  • Have you fulfilled your tax obligations?
  • Have you fulfilled your immigration notification and other obligations?
  • Are there any falsehoods in the application?

I was arrested by the police for driving without a licence. I was released immediately, but will this affect my visa in the future?

If a foreigner is arrested in Japan, the Immigration Bureau will naturally become aware of it. When extending or changing a visa, it is possible to continue to be granted a visa if the foreigner confesses honestly and without concealment, explains why the incident occurred, and carefully reports that you will not do it again.

How to obtain past application documents

Regarding my original application documents. I want to know the method and procedure for requesting my original application documents through my agent.

Answer

To reacquire documents previously submitted to the Immigration Bureau, you will need the application number from that time and information about the Immigration Bureau office where the application was submitted. Of course, as personal information, it is better to provide as much as possible, such as copies of your passport or residence card.

Request for Verification of Authenticity of Certificate of Eligibility (Electronic Version)

I currently possess a Certificate of Eligibility for Japan, but the official signature has not yet been completed. Could you please verify whether this electronic document is legitimate? I provide the following information. (Details omitted)

Answer

Regarding the Certificate of Eligibility (electronic version) you inquired about, if it is not inconvenient, could you please share the reason or background for your concerns about the authenticity of this document? For example, if there were suspicious points regarding the acquisition method or communication with the issuer, this would provide clues for verification.

Please note that we are not affiliated with the Immigration Services Agency of the Ministry of Justice. Therefore, we do not have the means to officially verify the authenticity of individual Certificates of Eligibility. If you have doubts about its validity, we strongly recommend contacting the Regional Immigration Bureau, the issuing authority, directly.

If you are concerned about the circumstances under which the certificate was sent to you, please consider reporting it via the Immigration Bureau’s website. We understand this may be a concerning situation for you and hope that appropriate action will be taken.

Click here for questions about Permanet residency, J-FIND, Highly Skilled Professionals (HSP), Australian visa etc.↓

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