For foreign nationals living in Japan, procedures related to their status of residence are extremely important.

Applying for or renewing a status of residence often requires various documents, and some procedures require specialized knowledge.

In such cases, it is possible to ask an administrative scrivener or other qualified professional to handle the procedures on your behalf, provided that they meet the necessary requirements.

1. What Is Immigration Application Intermediary Service?

“Immigration application intermediary service” is a system that allows qualified administrative scriveners, attorneys, and other professionals to submit application documents and receive residence cards and other documents on behalf of a foreign national, instead of the foreign national having to appear in person at an Immigration Services Agency office.

Here, “intermediary” means that an administrative scrivener or other qualified professional can submit application documents to the Immigration Services Agency and receive residence cards and other documents on behalf of the applicant.

However, not all administrative scriveners or other professionals are authorized to provide immigration application intermediary services.

Administrative scriveners and other professionals who have received the prescribed certification from the Immigration Services Agency of Japan may provide these services.

Therefore, when asking an administrative scrivener for assistance, it is important to check not only whether they have specialized knowledge of immigration procedures, but also whether they are authorized to provide immigration application intermediary services.

2. Main Procedures That Can Be Handled by Authorized Representatives — Status of Residence

The main procedures related to status of residence that may be handled by authorized representatives include the following:

• Application for a Certificate of Eligibility
• Application for Change of Status of Residence
• Application for Extension of Period of Stay
• Application for Permanent Residence
• Application for Acquisition of Status of Residence
• Application for Permission to Engage in an Activity Other Than Those Permitted Under the Status of Residence
• Application for a Certificate of Authorized Employment
• Application for Re-entry Permission
• Notification of Changes to the Contents of an Application

These are important procedures related to what activities a foreign national is permitted to engage in Japan and how their status of residence is maintained or changed.

Depending on the status of residence, a notification to the Immigration Services Agency may also be required when there is a change in an affiliated organization, such as an employer.

Because the procedures required vary depending on the status of residence and the activities of the foreign national, it is important to consult a qualified professional in advance when changing employers or making other significant changes.

3. Main Procedures That Can Be Handled by Authorized Representatives — Residence Card

Application procedures by authorized representatives also cover certain procedures related to residence cards.

The main procedures include:

• Changes to information on a residence card other than the address
• Extension of the validity period of a residence card
• Reissuance of a residence card due to loss
• Reissuance of a residence card due to damage or other reasons

When information shown on a residence card changes, or when the card is lost or damaged, the appropriate procedure must be completed in accordance with the applicable rules.

4. Important Points When Changing Your Address

When a foreign national changes their address, a procedure is also required because the address is recorded on their residence card.

However, changing an address is not simply a matter of visiting an Immigration Services Agency office and changing the address there.

In principle, when a mid-to-long-term resident changes their address, they must submit a notification to the municipality of their new address within 14 days of moving.

If the move is within the same municipality, a “Notification of Change of Residence” (転居届) is generally required. If the move is to a different municipality, a “Notification of Moving Out” (転出届) and a “Notification of Moving In” (転入届) are generally required.

When the foreign national presents their residence card and submits the Notification of Moving In or Notification of Change of Residence, that notification is deemed to also constitute the notification of the change of place of residence required under the Immigration Control and Refugee-Recognition Act.

In other words, the address-change procedure at the municipal office is designed so that the change of the address information on the residence card and the notification of the change of place of residence under immigration law are handled together.

In addition, depending on the content of the application or procedure, the prescribed information may be entered on the residence card or passport, or other necessary measures may be taken.

【２　Resident Registration and the Family Register in Japan】

5. Summary

The procedures related to status of residence in Japan vary depending on the type of status of residence and the individual circumstances of the foreign national.

In addition to applications for, changes to, and extensions of status of residence, there are various other procedures, including permission to engage in activities outside the scope of the status of residence, re-entry permission, changes to or reissuance of residence cards, and notifications concerning affiliated organizations such as employers.

Mistakes in these procedures may affect the maintenance of a foreign national’s status of residence or their future life in Japan.

Therefore, when the procedures are complicated or it is difficult to determine what needs to be done, it is advisable to consult an administrative scrivener or other qualified professional who is familiar with immigration procedures and is authorized to handle application procedures on behalf of applicants.

【１　Types of Status of Residence in Japan】

【３　Main Residence and Immigration Applications in Japan】

【８　Where Should You Submit Your Residence Application in Japan?】