Obtaining a Visa

  • Every foreigner residing in Japan must be sure that their visa type is in order, and should be aware of their length of stay at all times.
  • Payment for all visas must be made by revenue stamp, available at post offices near every Immigration Office (the office will instruct you where to go).

Where to apply for visas

Hiroshima Immigration Office, Shimonoseki Branch Office Tel:0832-23-1431
Hiroshima Immigration Office, Tokuyama Branch Office Tel:0834-21-1329

Applications for Change in Status

  • During their stay in Japan, should a foreign resident engage in work other than that specified by their visa, or extend their length of stay, the following procedures are necessary.
  • Applications should be made at the Immigration offices listed above.
  1. Application for work other than that specified by visa (Free)
    Necessary for exchange students who engage in part-time work and any other foreign resident who engages in any activity which provides an income not specified by one's visa.
  2. Application for change of residency status (4,000yen)
    Necessary for exchange students who have graduated and begun work in Japan, or any other foreigner who requires a change in work or residency status.
  3. Acquisition of residency status (Free)
    Necessary for any child of a foreigner born in Japan and staying longer than60 days.
  4. Application for extension of residency-(4,000yen)
    Necessary for those desiring to stay in Japan for a period longer than that specified by their visa. Applications for extension to stay must be made no later than one month before the expiration of the current visa. Exchange students planning to study in Japan for longer than one year and people renewing their contracts with most employers must re-apply for their visa every year.
  5. Re-entry permit (Single Re-entry Permit 3,000 yen, Multiple Re-entry Permit6,000 yen).
    Necessary for all foreign residents who leave Japan for any length of time and plan to return. By obtaining a re-entry permit before leaving Japan, re-application for a visa is not necessary. Single re-entry permits can only be used once, however it is also possible to apply for a Multiple Re-entry Visa, which can be used several times in a one-year period.

Foreign Resident Immigration Information Center

Documents necessary for obtaining or renewing a visa vary according to the typeof visa, but include such documents as a round-trip ticket, Alien Registration Card, Passport, Certificate of Enrollment (necessary for students), Letter of Guarantee from a Sponsor, etc. Foreign-language assistance wich visas is provided by the following organizations :

 



Tokyo : Tel:03-3213-8523
Office Hours : Mon-Fri, 9:00 - 12:00, 13:00 - 16:00
Languages Spoken :English, Chinese, Spanish, Korean

Office Hours : Mon-Fri, 9:00 - 12:00, 13:00 - 15:00
Languages Spoken :Portuguese

Office Hours : Mon, Wed, Fri, 9:00 - 12:00, 13:00 - 16:00
Languages Spoken : Thai

Osaka : Tel:06-6774-3409
Office Hours : Mon-Fri, 9:00 - 12:00, 13:00 - 16:00
Languages Spoken :English, Chinese

Office Hours : Mon, Thu, Fri, 9:00 - 12:00, 13:00 - 16:00
Languages Spoken :Portuguese

Office Hours : Wed, 9:00 - 12:00, 13:00 - 16:00
Languages Spoken : Spanish