You can also view this immigration service page in Japanese.
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Visa & Status of Residence Support in Japan
Tommy’s Legal Service supports foreign nationals, families, employers, and accepting organizations with immigration procedures in Japan, including renewal, change of status, Certificate of Eligibility, permanent residence, naturalization-related consultations, and Specified Skilled Worker matters.
We help organize the facts, identify the correct procedure, check the required documents, and prepare practical explanations for Immigration Services Agency when necessary.
Visa and Status of Residence are not the same
In daily conversation, many people use the word “visa” broadly. However, in Japanese immigration practice, a visa and a status of residence are different concepts.
A visa is generally related to entering Japan from abroad, while a status of residence is the legal basis for staying and conducting activities in Japan after entry. For this reason, the correct procedure may be different depending on whether you are outside Japan, already living in Japan, changing jobs, changing activities, inviting family members, or applying for long-term settlement.
Our role is to clarify the situation and connect it to the appropriate procedure.
Support for foreign nationals and families
We support individuals and families who need to confirm what immigration procedure is required for their current situation.
Coming to Japan
For cases where a foreign national plans to enter Japan for work, family, business, study, or other activities.
- Certificate of Eligibility application
- Family invitation and dependent matters
- Work-related status planning
- Explanation of the required documents
Staying in Japan
For people already living in Japan who need to renew their period of stay, change their status, or confirm the effect of a job change or life event.
- Extension of period of stay
- Change of status of residence
- Job change and activity consistency review
- Permission to engage in other activities
Settlement in Japan
For applicants considering long-term residence, permanent residence, naturalization-related consultation, or family-based status.
- Permanent residence consultation
- Spouse, child, and family-related matters
- Naturalization-related consultation
- Review of tax, pension, insurance, and residence history
Support for employers and accepting organizations
Foreign employment in Japan requires not only hiring, but also proper status confirmation, job duty consistency, document preparation, and ongoing residence management.
Employment-based procedures
We help employers check whether the proposed job duties match the applicant’s status of residence and prepare the necessary company-side documents.
- Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services
- Intra-company Transferee
- Business Manager
- Highly Skilled Professional and related categories
- COE, renewal, and change of status applications
Specified Skilled Worker support
We provide support for Specified Skilled Worker matters, including accepting organization-side checks and Registered Support Organization-related support.
- Specified Skilled Worker No. 1 matters
- Support plan and support structure review
- Coordination with employers and partner organizations
- Periodic reporting and ongoing support considerations
Common topics and useful pages
If you are not sure where to begin, the following pages are useful starting points.
How the engagement usually proceeds
Please send a brief summary of your situation, current status of residence, expiry date, desired procedure, and any urgent deadline.
We check the main facts, identify the issues, and confirm whether a paid consultation or formal quotation is appropriate.
We clarify the necessary documents, applicant-side materials, employer-side materials, and explanation points for Immigration.
After confirming the scope and difficulty, we provide the applicable fee and engagement conditions.
We prepare and organize the application documents and proceed with online or counter filing depending on the case.
FAQ
Q1. I want to “renew my visa.” Which procedure is this?
In many cases, this means an Extension of Period of Stay. However, if your activity, job, family situation, or business status has changed, a different procedure may be required.
Q2. I changed jobs. Can I renew my status of residence?
It depends on whether your new job duties match your current status of residence and whether the employer-side documents can properly explain the work. A document review is recommended before applying.
Q3. Can you support companies hiring foreign nationals?
Yes. We can help check the status category, job duties, employment conditions, company documents, and immigration explanation points.
Q4. Can you communicate in English?
Yes. Tommy’s Legal Service can provide immigration-related support in Japanese and English.
Not sure which immigration procedure applies?
Immigration procedures often depend on details such as your current status, expiry date, job duties, employer, family situation, previous application history, and available documents.
Please contact us with the basic information first. We will help determine whether your matter should start with a consultation, document review, or formal quotation.
When contacting us, please tell us your nationality, current status of residence, expiry date, desired procedure, employer or accepting organization, and any previous refusal or special circumstances, if applicable.