What is a status of residence in Japan?
A status of residence is a legal category assigned by the Immigration Services Agency of Japan that defines what activities a foreign national is permitted to carry out in the country, such as work, study or family life. Every foreign national residing in Japan holds one status of residence, which determines the conditions of their stay.
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How it works
Each status has its own permitted activities and its own conditions for length of stay, and switching between activities such as work and study generally requires a change of status. The status is recorded on the residence card issued to holders of a medium to long-term stay.
Commonly mixed up with
A status of residence is sometimes confused with a visa. A visa is generally the permission to enter Japan, while the status of residence governs activities and conditions once in the country.
What is a status of residence in Japan?
| Knowledge, Tokyo | Legal, visa and entry |
|---|---|
| Short answer | A status of residence is a legal category assigned by the Immigration Services Agency of Japan that defines what activities a foreign national is permitted to carry out in the country, such as work, study or family life. Every foreign national residing in Japan holds one status of residence, which determines the conditions of their stay. |
| How it works | Each status has its own permitted activities and its own conditions for length of stay, and switching between activities such as work and study generally requires a change of status. The status is recorded on the residence card issued to holders of a medium to long-term stay. |
| Commonly mixed up with | A status of residence is sometimes confused with a visa. A visa is generally the permission to enter Japan, while the status of residence governs activities and conditions once in the country. |
| Last reviewed | 2026-08-08 |
Short questions
- How many statuses of residence exist?
- The Immigration Services Agency defines a set list of statuses, each covering different activities.
- Can a status be changed after arrival?
- Changing status is possible through an application to the Immigration Services Agency.
- Does every status allow work?
- No, some statuses restrict or prohibit work activities.
- Is the status shown on a document?
- It is recorded on the residence card for medium to long-term residents.
- Where is the official list published?
- The Immigration Services Agency of Japan publishes the current statuses and their conditions.
Sources
More in this track
- What types of work visa exist for Japan?
- What is a residence card in Japan and who needs one?
- What are the rules for a short-stay entry into Japan?
- What are the customs allowances for arriving in Japan?
- How does changing a status of residence work in Japan?
- What is the difference between permanent residency and other long-term statuses in Japan?
- How does a dependant status of residence work in Japan?
- What is the highly skilled professional status in Japan?
- What changes must foreign residents report to immigration authorities in Japan?
These pages explain how the rules work and link the authority that owns them. They are not legal, tax or immigration advice, and amounts and thresholds change, so open the source before you act.
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