If your circumstances change while living in Japan, a change of status of residence may be required — whether due to a new job, a career change, or a shift in your activities.
In this article, we explain what a change of status of residence in Japan means, when it is required, and how to apply. All information is supervised by licensed administrative scrivener Masae Kumano, representative of Tokyo International Management Administrative Procedures Legal Specialists Corporation, to ensure accuracy and reliability.
About the Supervisor
Masae Kumano
Graduated from the Faculty of Law at Waseda University and completed her Juris Doctor at Chuo University Law School. After working in the legal departments of an IT vendor and a major e-commerce company, she became a licensed Administrative Scrivener (Registration No. 19081036, Gyoseishoshi Lawyers of Tokyo).
A Certified Immigration Application Agent (No. 21-181) and a part-time lecturer at Hannan University. Handling around 150 immigration and status of residence cases each year, she supports many foreign residents with immigration procedures and life in Japan.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: What Is a Change of Status of Residence?
A change of status of residence refers to the process of switching from your current residence status to a different one, in order to engage in activities that are not permitted under your existing status.
According to the Immigration Services Agency of Japan, foreign nationals who wish to change their purpose of stay and engage in activities that fall under a different residence status are required to obtain permission from the Minister of Justice.
In other words, it is the system that ensures your residence status accurately reflects the activities you are actually carrying out in Japan.
Reference: Immigration Services Agency of Japan
Chapter 2: Common Situations That Require a Change of Status of Residence
1. Changing from a Non-Work Status to a Work Status
The following are typical examples where a change of status of residence in Japan is required:
- Changing from a Student visa to a work visa
- Changing from a Dependent visa to a work visa
In both cases, your current residence status does not permit full-time employment, which means you must apply for a change of status before beginning work.
1.1 What Are the Work-Permitted Residence Statuses?
Based on Appended Table 1 of the Immigration Control Act, the following residence statuses allow foreign nationals to work within a defined scope of activities:
- Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services (技術・人文知識・国際業務)
- Business Manager (経営・管理)
- Intra-company Transferee (企業内転勤)
- Skilled Labor (技能)
- Specified Skilled Worker (特定技能)
- Entertainer (興行)
- Instructor / Teacher (教育)
- Researcher (研究)
- Medical Services (医療)
- Nursing Care (介護)
All of the statuses above share two key characteristics:
- The permitted scope of work (occupation type) is defined in advance by law
- Employment is only permitted within that defined scope
1.2 Statuses with Employment Restrictions
The following residence statuses are not intended for employment purposes:
- Student (留学)
- Dependent (家族滞在)
- Cultural Activities (文化活動)
As a general rule, employment is not permitted under these statuses. The only exception is part-time work carried out under a Permission to Engage in Activity Other than That Permitted under the Status of Residence Previously Granted (資格外活動許可). Please note that even with this permission, working hours are strictly limited to 28 hours per week.
If you currently hold one of these statuses and wish to work full-time in Japan, a change of status of residence is required.
2. Starting a New Job
Not every new job requires a change of status of residence in Japan. The key question is whether the new role falls within the scope of activities permitted under your current status.
Take, for example, someone who holds an Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services (技術・人文知識・国際業務) status as an IT engineer.
If this person moves to a different company in the same IT engineering role: → This falls within the permitted scope of their current status. In principle, no change of status is required. However, please note that you are still required to notify the relevant authority of the change in your affiliated organisation.
If this person decides to open or work at a flower shop: → This falls outside the scope of activities permitted under their current status, and careful consideration is required. In this case:
- If you register as a company director and operate the business as a representative director or board member → Business Manager (経営・管理) status would be required
- If you work in the shop as an accounting or administrative staff member → Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services (技術・人文知識・国際業務) may apply
However, there must be a recognised connection between your academic background and the duties of the role. For example, if you have no relevant work experience and hold a degree in engineering, you would not, in principle, be permitted to work as an accounting staff member.
Need advice on your own visa situation?
Renewals, status changes, permanent residency, naturalization — the answer depends on your job, your family, and your history in Japan. belongingJAPAN will introduce you to our partner administrative scrivener, who can advise you in English.
Chapter 3: How to Apply for a Change of Status of Residence in Japan
To change your residence status, you must submit a Change of Status of Residence application (在留資格変更許可申請). This is the formal procedure for switching to a residence status that matches your new activities in Japan.
Where to Apply
Applications are submitted at the Regional Immigration Services Bureau that has jurisdiction over your place of residence.
Who Can Apply
The following parties may submit the application:
- The applicant themselves
- A legal representative
- An authorised agent such as an administrative scrivener or attorney (including staff from the employing company)
When to Apply
Your application must be submitted within your current period of stay, from the point at which the need for a change arises. Please note that if you remain in a prolonged period of inactivity under your current status, your residence status may become subject to cancellation.
Required Documents
The documents required vary depending on the residence status you are applying for. As a general minimum, the following are typically required:
- Change of Status of Residence application form
- Passport and Residence Card (在留カード)
- Certificate of residence (住民票)
- Certificate of taxation and certificate of tax payment
- Photograph (3cm wide × 4cm tall)
Please verify the exact documents required for your specific residence status before applying.
Application Fees
A fee is payable upon approval:
- In-person application: ¥6,000
- Online application: ¥5,500
Please be aware that as of April 2026, the Ministry of Justice has announced plans to significantly raise these fees. Under the proposed changes, the fee for a change or renewal of status would increase from the current ¥6,000 to approximately ¥30,000–¥40,000 for stays of one year or more, and approximately ¥70,000 for a five-year period. We recommend checking the latest official announcements before submitting your application.
Processing Time
The standard processing period is approximately one to two months. If you have submitted a change application, your permitted period of stay is automatically extended to two months beyond the expiry date of your current status, ensuring that a decision will be reached before that date.
Assessment Criteria
A change of status of residence is not guaranteed simply by submitting an application. According to the Immigration Services Agency of Japan, approval is granted only where there is a reasonable ground to do so, and each case is assessed based on a combination of factors.
The main assessment criteria are as follows:
- Eligibility for the status — whether your activities match the residence status you are applying for
- Meeting the required standards — for work statuses, compliance with the landing permission criteria including academic and professional background
- Appropriate residency history — whether you have been engaging in activities consistent with your current status
- Good conduct — no history of illegal activity or misconduct
- Stable livelihood — continuity of income and employment
- Tax and social insurance compliance — no outstanding payments
- Completion of required notifications — whether changes such as job changes or address updates have been properly reported
Chapter4: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Here are some of the most common questions clients ask about change of status of residence.
Q1. Can I start working before my change of status of residence is approved?
No. Working in a role that is not permitted under your current residence status may constitute illegal employment. If deemed illegal, you may be subject to cancellation of your residence status or deportation. Always ensure your change of status of residence application has been approved before beginning work.
Q2. Can I work while my change of status of residence application is being processed?
As a general rule, no. Even while your application is under review, you are only permitted to engage in activities within the scope of your current residence status. For example, you may not begin full-time employment if you do not yet hold a work-permitted status.
Q3. Do I need a change of status of residence if I simply change jobs?
If your new role falls within the same scope as your current residence status, a change is not required. However, you are still required to notify the Immigration Services Agency of Japan of the change in employer. If your job responsibilities change significantly, a change of status of residence may become necessary.
Q4. What should I do if my residence status is about to expire while applying for a change of status of residence?
You must submit your application before your current period of stay expires. While it is technically possible to apply close to the expiry date, it is strongly advisable to act well in advance given the processing time involved. Depending on your circumstances, you may also need to consider submitting a renewal application — however, please note that a change of status of residence application and a renewal application cannot be submitted simultaneously. If you do not yet have all the required documents ready, one approach is to renew your current status first and then apply for the change.
Q5. Can I change from a tourist visa to a work visa without a change of status of residence from within Japan?
As a general rule, no. A short-term stay status is intended for tourism and brief visits, and a change of status of residence to a work-permitted status from within Japan is not normally permitted. In most cases, you will need to leave Japan, apply for a Certificate of Eligibility, and then obtain a work visa at a Japanese embassy or consulate before re-entering Japan.
Q6. Are there any exceptions where a change of status of residence from a tourist visa is permitted?
Exceptions exist, but they are extremely limited and apply primarily to status-based categories such as Dependent or Long-Term Resident. Examples include cases involving marriage to a Japanese national or situations requiring humanitarian consideration. Work-based statuses, however, are not eligible for this exception, and simply having found employment in Japan is not sufficient grounds for approval.
Q7. Can I come to Japan on a tourist visa and look for work before applying for a change of status of residence?
This is not prohibited by the system itself, but it is not the intended purpose of a short-term stay. Any activity involving remuneration — actually working — is not permitted under a tourist visa. You may explore opportunities, but you cannot begin employment until your change of status of residence has been approved.
Chapter5: Summary
A change of status of residence in Japan is an essential procedure for ensuring your residence status accurately reflects the activities you are carrying out in the country. If you wish to engage in activities not permitted under your current status — employment in particular — you must obtain approval before proceeding.
It is important to note that not every job change requires a change of status of residence. The key question is always whether your new role falls within the scope of activities permitted under your current status.
When assessing your application, the Immigration Services Agency of Japan will consider a combination of the following factors:
- Whether your activities are consistent with the residence status you are applying for
- Whether you meet the required standards, including academic and professional background
- Your residency history and conduct
- The stability and continuity of your livelihood
There are also several critical points to keep in mind:
- You cannot begin work before your change of status of residence has been approved
- Changing from a tourist visa to a work visa from within Japan is not permitted as a general rule
- Approval is not guaranteed simply by submitting an application
Because a thorough understanding of the system is essential when applying for a change of status of residence in Japan, we strongly recommend seeking clarification early and consulting a qualified professional if you have any questions or concerns.
* This article is supervised by licensed administrative scrivener Masae Kumano, representative of Tokyo International Business Law Office. It is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute individual legal or immigration advice. Readers are encouraged to consult a qualified administrative scrivener or the Immigration Services Agency of Japan directly for guidance specific to their circumstances. Information is accurate as of May 18th, 2026 but may be subject to change.
