Articles
Practical guides and policy updates on visas, permanent residence and koseki records for foreign residents in Japan — written by a licensed gyoseishoshi.
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Nikkei 2nd, 3rd or 4th generation? Which Japanese visa fits your family line
Nikkei 2nd, 3rd or 4th generation? See which Japanese status of residence fits your family line, what each one allows, and how to prove your Japanese ancestry.
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Changing jobs on a work visa in Japan: the 14-day notification and why you may need a Certificate of Authorized Employment
Changing jobs in Japan on a work visa? The 14-day notification you must file, when to get a Certificate of Authorized Employment, and how to avoid renewal trouble.
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Permanent Residence and the New Household Income Standard: Our Reference Estimate by Household Size (2026)
The revised guidelines compare your household income with the average for Japanese households of the same size, but publish no figures. Here is our reference range, built from public statistics.
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Japan’s permanent residence guidelines have been revised: what changed on October 1, 2026
Japan revised its permanent residence guidelines on October 1, 2026. New income, pension, Japanese B1 and spouse rules, and when each one applies.
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Graduating in 2027? Changing from Student to Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services visa, step by step
Graduating in March 2027 with a job offer in Japan? When to apply, what immigration checks, and the mistakes that cause refusals when changing from Student to ESI.
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From vocational school to Specified Skilled Worker (i): what graduates need to know before changing from Student
Graduating from a vocational school in Japan? When the Specified Skilled Worker (i) visa fits, the tests and documents you need, and the fields that are closed.
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Going freelance on an Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services visa: what’s covered, and when you need extra permission
Can you freelance or take side work on an ESI visa? What your status covers, when Permission for Other Activities is needed, and what renewal requires.
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Married to a Japanese National? How International Marriage Is Recorded in the Koseki
Foreign spouses don't get a Japanese koseki. Learn how your marriage is recorded in your spouse's family register, surname rules, children, and visa use.
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Paying the new visa fees from October 1, 2026: online payment, reductions and waivers
From October 1, 2026, online visa fees are paid by convenience store or bank transfer, not stamps. Which fee applies, how to pay, and who can get a reduction.
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Having a baby in Japan as a foreign resident: 3 procedures you must complete (and the deadlines)
Had a baby in Japan? Foreign parents must file a birth notification in 14 days and apply for the baby's residence status in 30 days. Here's how.
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Have a question about your own situation?
Our articles cover general rules. For advice on your own situation, a licensed gyoseishoshi can answer your questions in writing or handle your application for you.
Questions about your own situation? Get a written answer from a gyoseishoshi (JPY 13,200, tax incl.) →