When you change jobs, start work, marry or divorce, you need to check whether you can continue under your current status. This page sets out, by common situation, what to check first and the next procedure.
3 points to check first
- Your current Status of ResidenceThe “Status of Residence” field on your Residence Card
- When your period of stay endsThe “Period of Stay (expiry date)” field on your Residence Card
- What changed, and whenThe date you left or joined a job, married, divorced, etc.
If your period of stay is ending soon
If you will stay in Japan, please check which application you need before it ends. Whether it is an extension or a change depends on your current status and what has changed. If it ends during a Permanent Residence examination, you also need a separate extension of period of stay.
What to check by situation
| Situation | Case | Next procedure |
|---|---|---|
| Graduated with a job offer | You hold Student status | Change of Status of ResidenceYou cannot start the job while still holding Student status |
| Changed jobs | The new job is within your current status | Apply at the next extension(extension of period of stay)Holders of work statuses must file a notification about their organisation (within 14 days) |
| The new job is outside your current status | Change of Status of ResidenceThe notification (within 14 days) is also needed | |
| Not sure whether it is within your status | ContactThis is often hard to judge; please consult us before starting any procedure | |
| Married a Japanese national or Permanent Resident | Continuing under your current status | Apply at the next extension(extension of period of stay) |
| Changing to a spouse status (for example, to remove work restrictions) | Change of Status of Residence | |
| Divorced or widowed | You hold a spouse status | ContactA notification about your spouse (within 14 days) is required. If you do not carry out activities as a spouse for 6 months or more without good reason, your status may be revoked, so we consider a change |
| You hold a status unrelated to a spouse, such as a work status | Apply at the next extension(extension of period of stay)As a rule, no other procedure is needed | |
| Living apart | The judgment depends on the reason and duration | ContactNo notification is needed for living apart itself |
A “notification” tells the authorities of a change and is separate from an “application” for permission. A notification alone does not change your Status of Residence.
If you are unsure which applies, or several apply, please consult us before starting any procedure.Contact