VISA Information
Visa Q&A List - VISA Information
Can I Change my Temporary Stay Visa After Arriving in Japan?
Can I Change my Temporary Stay Visa After Arriving in Japan?
At present Japan enforces a system where nationals of 62 nations and regions can land in Japan without acquiring a visa beforehand.
Taking advantage of this system, they are permitted to obtain a temporary visitor’s visa for a maximum of 90 days at ports of entry.
However, it is basically impossible for you to change a visa status from temporary visitor to working visa or student visa. If you want to try to change your visa status, you will need to go to the immigration office after landing in Japan, apply for a certificate of eligibility, and then change from a temporary visitor’s visa to another visa if you are granted permission.
Those coming from Europe and America might think the change of visa will be easy since they can easily enter Japan. However, unless you can obtain the permission to change your status of residence within this short term of “90 days,” you will have to leave Japan. The examining period is about one month even for a case without any problem.
Advisor: NIITSU Kyohei (Immigration Lawyer)
