Change of status of residence in Japan: when you need it, fees and processing time

A change of status of residence in Japan (在留資格変更許可申請) is the application you make for activities your current status doesn’t allow, such as student to full-time work or work visa to spouse visa. You apply in Japan, at your regional immigration office or online, before your current period of stay ends. ISA’s standard processing period is 1 to 2 months, and the counter fee is ¥33,000 if you are granted 1 year. This is the position as of October 2026, from the Immigration Services Agency (出入国在留管理庁, ISA).

When do you need a change of status?

You need one when the activity you want to do belongs to a different status of residence (在留資格). Common cases:

• Student to work: you graduate and start a job, for example as Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services (技術・人文知識・国際業務)
• Marriage: you marry a Japanese national or permanent resident and want a spouse status
• Job in a different category: for example from a language-teaching job to running your own company (Business Manager, 経営・管理)
• Dependent to work: a family member on dependent status gets a full-time job

Some statuses need a change application even when you only change employer:

See our guides to the Highly Skilled Professional visa and Specified Skilled Worker.

Permanent residency is a separate application, not a change of status. A change from Temporary Visitor (短期滞在) is granted only for unavoidable special circumstances, so most people coming from abroad need a Certificate of Eligibility instead.

Changing jobs within the same status: notify, don’t apply

If your new job fits your current status, you don’t apply for a change of status. You notify ISA within 14 days.

Online notification needs no supporting documents, and ISA publishes an English manual for its electronic notification system. If you want written proof that your new job fits your status, you can apply for a certificate of authorized employment (就労資格証明書): ¥2,000 at the counter, ¥1,600 online. After a change of employer it can take 1 to 3 months.

ISA’s renewal guideline counts missed notifications against you at your next renewal.

How much does a change of status cost?

For applications received from October 1, 2026, the fee depends on the period of stay you are granted. Applications received by September 30, 2026 pay the old ¥6,000 (¥5,500 online), even if approved later.

Source: ISA, as of October 2026. At the counter you pay with revenue stamps (収入印紙). Online, you pay by convenience store or bank payment only, after ISA emails you from @service-dgft.com. A reduced fee of ¥10,000 exists for people who meet certain conditions, at the counter only.

What documents do you need?

The list depends on the status you are changing to. ISA’s change-of-status page links to a document list for each status. Expect:

• the change of status application form (在留資格変更許可申請書) for the new status
• a photo
• passport and residence card (在留カード), shown at the counter
• the proof listed for the new status, such as documents from your new employer for a work status or from your Japanese spouse for a spouse status

ISA’s status pages, for example the spouse page, ask for certificates issued in Japan within the last 3 months and a Japanese translation of foreign-language documents. Since June 14, 2026, a photo is needed for everyone aged 1 or over.

Student to work: apply early

ISA asks students starting work in April to apply between December 1 and the end of January. Since December 1, 2025, some applicants for Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services or Researcher can submit fewer documents, including graduates of Japanese universities. Dispatch (派遣) jobs are excluded from this. For counter applications, a postcard arrives when the review ends; you collect your new card after graduation with your diploma.

How long does a change of status take?

ISA’s standard processing period is 1 to 2 months. Its monthly statistics show the average days from application to notification:

These averages include time waiting for extra documents and the wait until you collect the permit. Work statuses tend to take longer before April job starts. ISA does not answer phone questions about individual progress. If you applied online, you can see your status in the online system.

Step by step

Online applications are open to mid- to long-term residents aged 15 or over. If an employer, lawyer or 行政書士 submits for you, you don’t need to appear, but you must be in Japan.

Can you stay while your change is pending?

Yes, if you applied before your period of stay ended. Under the special period (特例期間), you can stay on your current status until the decision or 2 months after your expiry date, whichever is earlier. Counter applicants get a stamp on the back of the residence card; online applicants don’t.

You can’t start the new activity until the change is granted. Until then, you are still on your old status.

Related guides

Planning to stay with the same status instead? See visa renewal in Japan. Married to a Japanese national? See our spouse visa guide. Students should also read working on a student visa.

More guides: re-entry permit, permanent residency requirements.