Why English-Speaking Immigration Procedure Specialists Are Rare in Japan
Why English-Speaking Immigration Procedure Specialists Are Rare in Japan
Japan has about 3.86 million mid- to long-term foreign residents. However, the number of gyoseishoshi administrative scriveners registered to submit immigration applications is about 11,000 nationwide. Specialists who can explain Japanese immigration procedures in English are even more limited.
1. Japan now has more than 4 million foreign residents
According to the Immigration Services Agency of Japan, the number of foreign residents in Japan at the end of 2025 was 4,125,395, exceeding 4 million for the first time. Among them, the number of mid- to long-term foreign residents was 3,858,499.
Foreign residents are no longer a small or exceptional group in Japan. Immigration procedures are becoming increasingly important in employment, education, family life, and local communities.
2. Registered immigration application gyoseishoshi are only a part of all administrative scriveners
In principle, a foreign national must appear at the regional immigration bureau to file immigration applications. However, when a gyoseishoshi administrative scrivener who has completed the required notification procedure is involved, the applicant’s personal appearance may be exempted for certain procedures.
According to materials submitted to a Japanese government expert meeting, the total number of gyoseishoshi administrative scriveners was 53,076 as of February 15, 2025. The number of gyoseishoshi registered to submit immigration applications was 10,957 as of January 1, 2024.
This means that not every gyoseishoshi can handle submission of immigration applications. In addition, even among registered gyoseishoshi, not all of them focus on immigration practice as their main professional field.
3. Speaking English is not the same as explaining immigration practice in English
The key point is not whether a professional can read simple English or have basic conversations. In immigration practice, the professional must be able to explain the following points accurately in English:
- What activities are allowed under the current status of residence
- Whether the applicant’s education, work history, and residence history fit the intended status of residence
- Why employment contracts, company documents, statements of reasons, and explanation letters matter
- Which points may be viewed as weak in immigration examination
- How to respond to requests for additional documents or after a refusal
Immigration practice requires four perspectives: the applicant, the employer, the submitted documents, and examination trends. Explaining these points in English requires not only language ability, but also practical experience in Japanese immigration procedures.
4. There is no official statistic for English-speaking immigration procedure specialists
There is no official public statistic showing how many registered immigration application gyoseishoshi can explain immigration procedures in English. Therefore, the exact number cannot be stated as a fact.
In this article, as a discussion-based estimate only, we assume that approximately 3 to 6 percent of the 10,957 registered immigration application gyoseishoshi can explain immigration practice in English.
This 3 to 6 percent assumption is based on the following filtering logic:
- Not all registered immigration application gyoseishoshi actively handle immigration work as a main or continuous practice area.
- Even among those who handle immigration matters, not all can interview foreign applicants directly in English.
- Being able to use basic English is different from explaining eligibility, required documents, refusal risks, and immigration examination strategy in English.
- Professionals who actually operate English communication through their website, consultation, email, phone, WhatsApp, or other channels are even more limited.
For example, if approximately 30 to 40 percent of registered immigration application gyoseishoshi actively handle immigration work as a main or continuous practice area, and if approximately 10 to 20 percent of that group can directly explain immigration procedures, documents, and risks in English, the overall range would be roughly 3 to 6 percent.
From the perspective of English proficiency, a TOEIC L&R score of 885 is a high score within the upper range of public test takers. IIBC official data shows that the average TOEIC L&R public test score in fiscal year 2024 was 615, so 885 is far above the average.
However, TOEIC L&R measures listening and reading skills. It does not, by itself, prove the ability to conduct consultations, negotiations, explanations, or presentations in English. Therefore, in immigration practice, actual professional experience using English is as important as the test score itself.
The representative of Tommy’s Legal Service has a TOEIC L&R score of 885 and has professional experience in technical sales and marketing at a global foreign-affiliated manufacturer. He has also handled simultaneous interpretation, technical explanations, and business presentations in English. Based on this background, we explain eligibility, required documents, refusal risks, and immigration examination procedures in English.
Therefore, professionals who combine high-level TOEIC performance, business English, technical English, English presentation experience, and Japanese immigration practice are considered even more limited.
Estimation logic
| Category | Estimated ratio | Estimated number | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered immigration application gyoseishoshi who can explain immigration practice in English | 3–6% | Approx. 330–660 | Professionals who continuously handle immigration work and can interview, review documents, and explain risks in English |
| TOEIC 885-level English plus practical business English, technical English, and presentation experience | 0.5–2% | Approx. 55–220 | Professionals with high English test performance and practical English experience in technical sales, marketing, interpretation, or presentations |
These figures are not official statistics. They are discussion-based estimates using publicly available English proficiency data and practical filtering logic.
If the potential demand from foreign residents and employers who need English explanations is assumed to be around 600,000 to 800,000 people, each English-speaking specialist would theoretically support about 900 to 2,400 potential clients.
In this sense, a professional who can explain Japanese immigration procedures in English is a rare and valuable resource for both foreign nationals and employers in Japan.
5. Why this matters for foreign nationals and employers
Immigration procedures are not simply about filling in forms and submitting them. Especially for work-related statuses of residence, immigration authorities review the applicant’s background, job duties, employer’s business, salary level, and continuity of employment.
For foreign nationals, it is important to understand how their situation may be assessed under Japan’s immigration system. For employers, it is important to understand which company documents are required and what explanations should be prepared.
When a specialist can explain these points in English, both the applicant and the company can prepare the application with a shared understanding.
Need immigration procedure support in English?
Tommy’s Legal Service supports foreign residents, employers, and overseas applicants who need clear explanations of Japanese immigration procedures in English.
We review residence cards, passports, employment contracts, company documents, and previous application records to identify the correct direction, required documents, and potential risks.
References
- Immigration Services Agency of Japan: Foreign Residents at the End of 2025
- Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare: Materials Submitted to the Expert Meeting on Specified Skilled Worker and Employment for Skill Development Systems
- IIBC: TOEIC Program DATA & ANALYSIS 2025
Note: There is no official public statistic on how many registered immigration application gyoseishoshi can explain immigration procedures in English. The estimates in this article are for discussion purposes only and should not be treated as official figures.
