skip to contents.

Investing in Japan

How to Set Up Business in Japan
Laws & Regulations on Setting Up Business in Japan

Section 2. Visas and Status of Residence

(Reference1) Consultation with specialists for procedures

In Japan, administrative scriveners (gyoseishoshi lawyers) are among the specialists who can provide advice on the immigration procedures described above.
Administrative scriveners that have registered with the Immigration Bureau to serve as application agents are knowledgeable on immigration control procedures and can act as agents for the submission of applications to the Immigration Bureau for certificates of eligibility, extensions of period of stay, changes of status of residence, and re-entry permissions, etc. (As individual administrative scriveners work in distinct specialties within their broad-ranging profession, not all administrative scriveners are registered in this way to act as application agents). Administrative scriveners can also offer guidance on documents needed for applications, provide advice on preparing documents and, when necessary, can act as agent in preparing the documents. Use of these services exempts foreign applicants and companies employing foreigners from the need to appear personally at the Immigration Bureau and enable entry procedures to be proceeded accurately and promptly.

(Reference2) Flowchart of procedures for establishment of operations in Japan and acquisition of visa/status of residence

The following diagram depicts the sequence of procedures that are typically completed in order to establish and register the establishment of a new operation in Japan (subsidiary company or branch office) represented by a foreign national, along with the procedures for acquisition of a visa and status of residence.

  In Japan
Entry to Japan on "Temporary visitor" visa
|
Research and preparations for establishment of operations in Japan (subsidiary company or branch office)
|
Registration of establishment of operation in Japan (subsidiary company or branch office) at regional legal affairs bureau
|
Application for Certificate of Eligibility by applicant or proxy at Immigration Bureau in Japan
|
Certificate of Eligibility issued and sent to applicant or proxy in Japan by Immigration Bureau in Japan

*If a foreign national who has applied for a Certificate of Eligibility is already in Japan on a temporary visitor status of residence when the Certificate of Eligibility is issued, that foreign national may be able to change his/her temporary visitor status of residence to the status of residence approved in the Certificate of Eligibility while still in Japan, without the need to apply for and receive a visa at a Japanese diplomatic mission outside Japan.

  Outside Japan
|
Application for working visa at Japanese diplomatic mission abroad (presentation of certificate of eligibility required)
|
Issue of working visa by Japanese diplomatic mission abroad
  In Japan
|
Entry to Japan on working visa (Certificate of Eligibility submitted), receipt of landing permission and formal acquisition of status of residence allowing work
|
Alien registration within 90 days at local municipal office
|
Application for and acquisition of re-entry permit at Immigration Bureau according to need

(Reference)

PrintReturn to PAGETOP