- Nihonsrilanka

Visa and Immigration Updates

Applying for a work visa in Japan involves several steps, and the process can vary slightly depending on your nationality, the type of job, and weather you’re already in Japan. Here’s clear breakdown.

Secure a job offer

You must have a full-time job offer from a company in Japan.
the job must match the work visa categories, usually Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services for IT-related positions.
The employer must agree to sponsor your work visa.

Prepare required documents

Changes of Status Application Form(在留資格変更許可申請書) Application Form, Passport (Original), Residence card(在留カード), Recent photo (4cm x 3cm), Certificate of Graduation or Expected Graduation Letter (卒業証明書), Transcript(成績証明書)
Resume/CV (履歴書), Certificate of Japanese Proficiency (optional but helpful), Reason for employment statement(任意書類)

Submit application to immigration bureau

Submit Application for Change of Status of Residence.
Include all documents from step 3.
Processing time: Usually 2–4 weeks, sometimes up to 1-2 months.
¥4,000 (Pay after approval, using revenue stamp 収入印紙)

Check your graduation timing

Typically, students apply 1–3 months before graduation.
If your visa expires before your job starts, you may need a status of residence change instead of applying from outside Japan.

Approval & new residence status

The new visa will be valid for 1–5 years, depending on your job and company. You will receive a new residence card reflecting your work status.

Working before the visa change: You cannot start your job until the work visa is issued.
Timing: Avoid letting your student visa expire while waiting for the work visa; this could cause legal issues.
Multiple visa categories: If your job isn’t IT/engineering, confirm the correct visa type with Immigration.

Applying for a visa after getting a permanent job

All students who are applying for a visa after getting a permanent job at a Japanese higher education school (Senmon Gakko, Daigaku) in March of this year should be aware.

When you first apply to a Japanese school, carefully review the resume you filled out and fill out the resume you are applying for a work visa in the same way. Some people claim to have permanent work experience in their country, thinking that they will get a visa. Don’t do that stupid thing.

If you don’t have the resume you filled out when you first applied for a student visa to Japan, you can get it from the institution that sent you to Japan or the Japanese school you went to. They have copies of those. If there is even the slightest mistake, your visa will be rejected by the Immigration Bureau.

Since October 2025, the rules on work visas have been tightened. Therefore, preparing the documents issued by the student’s institution and the documents issued by you as much as possible according to the advice of someone knowledgeable about work visas can increase your chances of getting a visa.

Don’t forget, each of you should also remember this. You should check the income you have earned from part-time work during the student visa period. It is best to check for at least two years. For students applying for visas this year, check the income documents (課税記念かぜいしょめいしょ) from the 2024 and 2025.

I think it will be important for students living in Japan. The number of years you have worked can change at any moment, so let’s be careful about the future.

I don’t need to tell you that Japanese school life is a never-ending experience. Also, a large group of Sri Lankans who faced the hardships of school life are living all over Japan like you, the next generation who will come after them. I have mentioned this post on Facebook for your information.