How to Change Your Visa Status in Japan

在留資格変更許可申請ガイド

Changing your visa status in Japan is called Change of Status of Residence (在留資格変更許可申請). This is one of the most common immigration procedures, especially for international students transitioning to work visas after graduation.

Common Visa Status Changes

Student → Work Visa (留学 → 就労)

The most common change. After graduating from a Japanese university or vocational school, you can change to a work visa if you have a job offer.

Dependent → Work Visa (家族滞在 → 就労)

Spouses on dependent visas who want to work full-time (more than 28 hours/week) need to change their status.

Work Visa → Spouse Visa (就労 → 配偶者等)

If you marry a Japanese national while on a work visa, you may want to change to a spouse visa for more flexibility.

Work Visa → Business Manager (就労 → 経営・管理)

Starting your own business in Japan requires changing to a Business Manager visa.

Short-Term Stay → Other Status

Generally not allowed. You typically need to leave Japan and apply from abroad. Some exceptions exist for marriage to a Japanese national.

Any Status → Permanent Residency

This is a separate application (永住許可申請), not a change of status. See our permanent residency guide.

General Requirements

  1. Valid current visa — Your current visa must not have expired
  2. Eligible new status — You must qualify for the visa you're changing to
  3. Good conduct — No criminal record or immigration violations
  4. Apply in person — At the Immigration Bureau with jurisdiction over your residence

Required Documents

Core Documents (All Changes)

  1. Application Form (在留資格変更許可申請書) — Form #5
  2. Passport — Current valid passport
  3. Residence Card (在留カード) — Current card
  4. Photo (4cm x 3cm) — Taken within 3 months

Student → Work Visa (Additional Documents)

  1. Graduation certificate or expected graduation certificate
  2. Employment contract or offer letter from your employer
  3. Company registration (登記事項証明書) of your employer
  4. Company financial statements — For smaller companies
  5. Job description — Detailed explanation of your duties
  6. Reason statement — Explaining why your education relates to the job
  7. University transcripts — Showing relevant coursework

Dependent → Work Visa (Additional Documents)

  1. Employment contract from your employer
  2. Company documents (same as above)
  3. Your qualifications — Degree, work experience, certifications
  4. Spouse's residence card copy

Work → Spouse Visa (Additional Documents)

  1. Marriage certificate — From your home country AND Japan
  2. Spouse's family register (戸籍謄本)
  3. Spouse's tax certificate — Proving household income
  4. Question sheet (質問書) — About your relationship
  5. Photos together — Evidence of genuine relationship
  6. Spouse's residence certificate (住民票)

Processing Time

Change TypeDuration
Student → Work1-3 months
Dependent → Work1-2 months
Work → Spouse1-3 months
Work → Business Manager2-3 months

Peak period warning: March-April is extremely busy at Immigration as graduating students apply. Submit early.

Application Fee

Where to Apply

Submit at the Regional Immigration Bureau that covers your residential address. You can also apply at branch offices, though main offices may process faster.

Bring originals AND copies of all documents. Immigration keeps copies and returns originals.

Important Timing Rules

Apply Before Your Current Visa Expires

If your visa expires while the change application is pending, you can legally stay in Japan for up to 2 months (or until a decision is made, whichever comes first) with a special stay permit noted on your residence card.

When Does the New Status Start?

Your new visa status begins on the date the change is approved, not the date you applied.

Grace Period After Graduation

International students have a grace period to find employment and change status. If you graduate in March, your student visa typically remains valid until its expiration date.

Student → Work Visa: Special Considerations

Job Must Match Your Education

Immigration checks that your job duties relate to your field of study. For example:

Job Categories That Accept Status Change

Designated Activities for Job Hunting

If you haven't found a job by graduation, you can apply for Designated Activities (特定活動) visa for job hunting — valid for 6 months, renewable once.

Common Reasons for Rejection

  1. Job doesn't match qualifications — Engineering graduate working in unrelated field
  2. Company is unstable — New company with no revenue or very small operation
  3. Insufficient documentation — Missing key documents
  4. Salary too low — Below the standard for similar positions (generally 200,000+ yen/month)
  5. Attendance issues — Poor university attendance record (for student → work)
  6. Tax or pension issues — Unpaid obligations

Tips for Success

  1. Apply early — Don't wait until the last month of your current visa
  2. Prepare thoroughly — Gather all documents before visiting Immigration
  3. Get employer cooperation — They need to provide several documents
  4. Write a clear reason statement — Connect your education/background to the new activity
  5. Check eligibility first — Not all status changes are possible

Simplify Your Status Change with NipponVisa

NipponVisa auto-fills your Change of Status application form (Form #5) by scanning your residence card and passport. Get a complete checklist of required documents based on your current status, target status, and nationality.

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