When applying for a residence procedure in Japan, you may wonder:

“Which Immigration Office should I apply to?”

The appropriate Immigration Office depends on whether you are currently living in Japan or overseas, and on who submits the application.

1. If You Are Still Overseas and Are Coming to Japan for the First Time

If you are a foreign national who does not yet live in Japan and plan to enter Japan for mid- to long-term residence, the rules for determining the application office are different from those for people who are already living in Japan.

In general, the first step is to apply for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE).

According to guidance from the Immigration Services Agency of Japan, the application office depends on who submits the COE application.

If the applicant who plans to enter Japan submits the application personally:

→ The Regional Immigration Services Agency office that has jurisdiction over the applicant’s planned place of residence in Japan.

If an agent or an authorized application intermediary submits the application:

→ The Regional Immigration Services Agency office that has jurisdiction over the location of the accepting organization, as applicable.

After the COE is issued, the applicant will normally apply for a visa at a Japanese embassy or consulate overseas and then proceed with the necessary procedures to enter Japan.

2. If You Are Already Living in Japan and Apply Personally

If you are already living in Japan and personally apply for procedures such as an extension of your period of stay or a change of status of residence, the application is generally submitted to:

The Regional Immigration Services Agency office that has jurisdiction over your current place of residence.

Examples include:

• Application for Extension of Period of Stay
• Application for Change of Status of Residence
• Application for Permanent Residence
• Application for Acquisition of Status of Residence
• Application for Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted under the Status of Residence Previously Granted
• Application for Certificate of Authorized Employment
• Application for Re-entry Permit

In other words, the basic rule is not to apply to simply “the nearest Immigration Office,” but to the Immigration Office that has jurisdiction over your address.

Even within the same prefecture, the area of jurisdiction may differ depending on the regional bureau, branch office, or local office.

Therefore, before submitting an application, it is important to check which Regional Immigration Services Agency office has jurisdiction over your address.

3. If You Apply Online

Some residence procedures can now be submitted through the Online Residence Application System.

Examples of procedures that can be handled online include:

• Application for Certificate of Eligibility
• Application for Change of Status of Residence
• Application for Extension of Period of Stay
• Application for Acquisition of Status of Residence
• Application for Certificate of Authorized Employment

Using the online system can make residence procedures more convenient because, for example, you may not need to visit an Immigration Office in person.

However, being able to apply online and having an easier examination are completely different things.

4. If You Ask an Administrative Scrivener or Other Authorized Application Intermediary to Submit the Application

You do not always have to visit an Immigration Office in person to complete a residence procedure.

Under certain conditions, an administrative scrivener or other person qualified as an authorized application intermediary may submit application documents on your behalf.

When using an authorized application intermediary, the handling of the application office may differ from that applicable when the applicant submits the application personally.

Therefore, it is important to confirm both the type of procedure and who will submit the application, and then check the appropriate application office.

5. Important Points About Online Applications

Online applications have made the application process more convenient.

However, this does not mean that:

“It is easy to obtain permission just because the application is submitted online.”

Online applications are still subject to the normal residence examination based on the application form and supporting documents submitted.

One point that requires particular attention is the idea of:

“Since it is online, I can just submit the documents for now.”

Because you do not have to physically bring documents to an Immigration Office, submitting an application may be easier than before.

However, the ease of submitting an application and the appropriateness of the application itself are two different matters.

If there are errors in the application, required documents are missing, or the supporting documents do not sufficiently support the contents of the application, this may have a negative impact on the examination.

In some cases, the application may be denied.

In addition, if documents containing serious errors or false statements have already been submitted, attempting to correct or cover them up later may result in serious disadvantages in a subsequent application or examination.

Therefore, even when using the online application system, it is important to carefully check the following before submitting the application:

• Whether the status of residence or procedure you are applying for is appropriate
• Whether there are any errors in the application form
• Whether all required documents have been prepared
• Whether the submitted documents properly explain or prove the contents of the application
• Whether there are any inconsistencies with your previous residence history or information previously declared to the authorities

An online application is a system that makes it easier to submit an application. It is not a system that makes it easier to obtain permission.

Before clicking the submit button, it is important to carefully review and verify the application and all supporting documents.

Whether you apply online or at an Immigration Office, you should carefully check your application and supporting documents and, if necessary, consider consulting a qualified professional before submitting the application.

【１　Types of Status of Residence in Japan】

【３　Main Residence and Immigration Applications in Japan】

【９　Submitting Immigration Applications on Behalf of Foreign Nationals in Japan】