Status of Residence, Permanent Residence, Naturalizaion (Kika)

INTRODUCTION

My name is Masakazu Tada, a certified administrative procedures legal specialist, or gyosei-shoshi in Japanese, who is running this office of professional services related with applications for various status of residence (conventionally mentioned as mid- to long-term resident visas), permanent residence and naturalization (kika) for foreign nationals.

I always try to do my best to provide with my client high-quality service that is tailored to each individual case.

In these difficult days when unpleasant voices against foreigners are heard aloud, I still hope that as many foreign nationals as possible can come and live in Japan safely and happily.

BENEFITS TO CHOOSE MY OFFICE

• Personalized support tailored to each individual case!
• Free online consultation!
• Reasonable and flat-rate fees!
• No unexpected additional charges!
• Reliable legal expertise and research capability!

SPECIFIC INFORMATION BY CATEGORY

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Applications for Status of Residence 在留資格諸申請

Foreign nationals who wish to come to Japan to work, study, or join their family — as well as those who are already living in Japan — need to obtain the appropriate status of residence.

This section explains the different types of residence statuses and the various applications by type of procedure that must be submitted to the Immigration Services Agency.

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• Status of Residence and “Visa” Are Not the Same
• Application for Certificate of Eligibility
• Application for Change of Status of Residence
• Application for Extension of Period of Stay
• Overview of Major Statuses of Residence
• 　Specific Activities
• Revocation of Status of Residence and Deportation
• 　Revocation of Status of Residence
• 　Deportation Procedures
• Required Documents for Status of Residence Applications
• Service Fees

Application for Permanent Residence 永住許可申請

Foreign nationals who have worked in Japan for many years, married a Japanese national, or otherwise wish to continue living in Japan permanently may apply for permanent residence.

We provide clear explanations of the requirements, procedures, and the stricter regulations that have been effective since 2025 onward.

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• Introduction: What Is a Permanent Residence Application?
• Requirements for Applying for Permanent Residence
• Required Period of Stay to Become Eligible to Apply for Permanent Residence
• Screening Process for Permanent Residence Application
• Revocation of Permanent Residence
• Service Fees
• Additional Notes (Important Points When Applying, While Waiting for Result, etc.)

Application for Naturalization (Kika) 帰化許可申請

Japan does not allow multiple nationalities, and under the Nationality Act, people who naturalize must give up their original nationality.

Losing your original nationality must be one of the most significant decisions in your life. Even so, some foreign nationals choose naturalization for the sake of their family or business.

We offer guidance and advice for those who are considering to obtain a Japanese nationality.

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• Overview of the Nationality Act (Requirements for Naturalization and Nationality Choice)
• Naturalization and Permanent Residence
• Practical Guide to Naturalization Applications (Documents and Key Points)
• You Are the Main Actor in the Naturalization Process
• Service Fees

WORK FLOW

(an example of status of residence application agency service*)

1. Free Consultation	Free one-hour consultation will be conducted via video conference. It can be divided into two sessions upon request.
2. Contract & Payment	After hearing your request, I will send you a quotation. If you agree to the terms and conditions, both parties shall sign the contract, and you are requested to pay the fee in advance.
3. Conference	In a meeting in person, I will provide you with the list of necessary documents, explain the timeline, and answer your questions.
4. Preparation	I will review contents of the documents received from you, and advise if any further information is needed in addition.
5. Drafting Documents	I will fill in an application form and write other documents (such as a statement of reasons), and ask you to review and sign them.
6. Application	On behalf of you, I will act as an intermediary and submit your application to Immigration Services Bureau.
7. Follow-up	I will take care of questions and requests from Immigration Services Bureau on behalf of you until the permission is issued.
8. Receiving Permission	I will receive a notification of permission from Immigration Services Bureau on behalf of you and deliver it to you.

* Application agency means that I submit the application in your name. If modifications to the documents are needed, they will be made only with your approval. This is different from legal representation.

SERVICE FEES

(JP Yen/case, excl. Consumption Tax)

Currently, after Oct., 2025, I am not providing application services for the status of residence “Management and Administration.”               

* Negative Factors are the facts that could be the grounds for a denial of permission, such as violation of laws in the past. Based on the fact, I will prepare an explanatory letter which, for example, explains occurrence of the negative factor was unavoidable due to circumstances beyond one’s control.

FAMILIES & MULTIPLE APPLICATIONS, etc.

For cases that do not fall under any of the above list, I will quote individually after hearing your needs.

In cases where an entire family wishes to apply together, or a group of persons need to apply for the same status of residence at the same time, discount will be applied to the second applicant onward.

PAYMENT

1) The total fees need be paid at the time of contract.

2) If a contract is cancelled or terminated before completion of the services, preparation of the application becomes impossible to continue, or the application after its submission is withdrawn due to reasons attributable to the client, no refund will be made.

3) If unforeseen circumstances arise and additional costs occur, both parties will discuss and decide based on good will and cooperation.

FEEL FREE TO CONTACT

I always try my best to provide careful and attentive support tailored to each individual case.

Some parts of this website may be a little difficult to understand for those who are not familiar with laws or administrative procedures. If so, please do not hesitate to send your questions through the Inquiry page or simply call me directly.

I am looking forward to hearing from you.

PRIVACY POLICY

My office has established a privacy policy to ensure the protection of my precious clients’ personal information and to safeguard their privacy in the course of work.

You can view the full text of this office’s Privacy Policy (in both Japanese and English) in Privacy Policy page.

ABOUT THIS OFFICE

MY PROFILE

Name	Tada Masakazu
Qualification	Certified administrative procedures legal specialist, qualified for application agency services (Registration No. 24081082)
Career	After graduating from Keio University (Faculty of Law) in 1988, I worked mainly for a chemical company engaging in international business, including import/export operations and security export control, then established this office in 2024. I lived about total 14 years overseas (in the UK and Thailand). A member of NGO ‘Solidarity Network with Migrants Japan’ (SMJ)

FAMILY-RELATED LEGAL DOCUMENTS – ANOTHER FIELD THAT THIS OFFICE SPECIALIZES FOR

It is the services for family‑related contracts and agreements, i.e., preparation of contracts and drafts for notarial deeds related to household and family matters.

Human relationships and family structures have diversified significantly in recent years, yet the legal system has not kept pace with these changes in Japan.

As a result, social minorities and those in economically vulnerable positions often find themselves insufficiently protected by law, leading to unstable circumstances and, in many cases, social and economic disadvantages.

Contracts concerning household and family matters are designed to support and reinforce individuals in such vulnerable situations.

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– Marriage with no legal registration (including couples using separate surnames)

– Same-sex partnerships

– Other forms of cohabitation similar to marriage

– Agreements for property management and personal care in the event of dementia

– Posthumous affairs management (delegation of posthumous procedures)

– Allocation of responsibilities and expenses among children regarding the care of elderly parents

If you would like to learn more, please do not hesitate to send your questions through the Inquiry page or simply call me directly.