Quick summary
#Apply before your current status expires. For related guidance, see the How to Apply for a Japanese page.
When you need a different status of residence before your current period of stay expires
Include it with your application package and follow official instructions for submission.
Names, dates of birth, and passport details on other forms Program checklist requirements Supporting documents and translations
Overview (What is Form Status Change?)
#The "Application for Change of Status of Residence" is an official form used by applicants filing with the Immigration Services Agency (ISA) of Japan. This process, known as a change of status or 在留資格変更, requires applicants to download the current form and instructions from the official ISA website. It is essential to review the instructions for your specific eligibility category before starting. Complete all required sections, sign, and submit the application with the necessary evidence. Note that filing a Status Change does not guarantee approval.
Processing times vary by category and by the office handling your case — see the Processing times section below for the figures ISA publishes by category, and always verify the current position with the issuing authority before you plan around any range.
First page of Status Change form
Source: Status Change online portal
Context and workflow
#Processing time for Status Change varies by case type and current workload — typically check the official ISA processing time tool.
Why this matters
- Small mismatches inside Status Change (or between Status Change and supporting evidence) can force rework later in processing.
- This form helps confirm that the application matches the program’s requirements and checklist.
Where it fits in the workflow
- Initiating the process of changing residence status.
- Application receipt (受付票) at the ISA office.
- Residence Card issuance at Immigration Services Agency office if approved.
Who uses it
Apply before your current residence status expires. This form is intended for applicants seeking to change their residence status through the Immigration Services Agency (ISA). Common filers include those changing from Work to Spouse, Student to Work, or Dependent to Work. Review the instructions for your specific eligibility category before starting, and ensure you complete all required sections, sign, and submit with the necessary evidence. Filing a Status Change does not guarantee approval. Applications go to the Immigration Services Agency, the government agency responsible for immigration control within the Ministry of Justice — the department of government that sets Japan's immigration policy. ISA decides every status of residence application, including this one. For related guidance, see the How to Apply for a Japanese page.
When it is used
- When you need a different status of residence before your current period of stay expires
- When you want to change from one status of residence to another eligible status of residence
- If you qualify for the status of residence you are requesting under the official instructions
- Changing from Student to Engineer/Specialist in Humanities after a job offer
- Changing to Spouse of a Japanese National after marriage
- Before a Certificate of Eligibility application, when you entered on one status and now need a different one
- Instead of an Application for Extension of Period of Stay, when your goal is a different status rather than more time
- Alongside a residence card renewal, because ISA issues an updated card when your status changes
Eligibility Category Codes
#Eligibility information for this form. Confirm your category in the official instructions before filing.
This is a shortlist of common categories. The official instructions include many more.
| Code | Who applies |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | This form is used by applicants filing with ISA. |
Failure prevention (What causes Form Status Change rejections?)
#Technical rejections
- Ensure form edition is current
Substantive weaknesses
- Insufficient evidence for the requested status change.
- Lack of clarity in the reason for change.
- To avoid filing after current status has already expired: Apply before your current status expires. Use the Designated Activities bridge status if timing is tight.
- To avoid qualifications do not match new status requirements: Verify you meet the educational or professional requirements for the target status (e.g., university degree or 10+ years experience for Engineer/Specialist in Humanities).
- To avoid insufficient supporting documents from new sponsor: Have the employer or school prepare all required documents (company registration, financials, employment contract) before filing.
What you need (What do you need for Form Status Change?)
#- The current edition of Status Change
- Evidence of eligibility for the requested status of residence
- Detailed explanation of the change in circumstances necessitating the status change
- Marriage certificate
- Spouse's family register
- Current residence card
- Employment contract
- Employer's company registration and financial statements
- Diploma or graduation certificate
Checklist (What is the Form Status Change checklist?)
#- Download the latest Status Change form and its accompanying instructions directly from the official ISA website.
- Gather required supporting documents per the instructions
- Complete all required sections of Status Change
- Sign and date the Status Change form, then submit it along with all necessary supporting evidence.
Sources for this section
Fees
#| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Filing FeeThe standard filing fee for form status change. Check the current fee on the official ISA fee schedule. | See official schedule |
Can the Form Status Change fee be waived?
Fee waivers may be available for qualifying applicants. See official instructions for eligibility.
What happens if I submit the wrong fee?
ISA will reject your application if the incorrect fee is submitted. Verify the current fee on the official schedule before filing.
Fee waiver: Fee waivers may be available for qualifying applicants. See official instructions for eligibility. For related guidance, see Application for Extension of Period of.
Fees change; always verify on ISA.
Processing times
#| Category | Processing time |
|---|---|
| Short-term Stay (Standard) | approximately 5 daysas of February 2026 |
| Work / Long-term without CoE | 1 to 3 monthsas of February 2026 |
- Processing time for Status Change under "Short-term Stay (Standard)": approximately 5 days (as of February 2026).
- Processing time for Status Change under "Work / Long-term without CoE": 1 to 3 months (as of February 2026).
- Processing times for Status Change vary by category and processing location. Verify current processing times with the issuing authority.
- The categories above are the only processing figures on this page. Every path covered here — Work to Spouse, Student to Work, and Dependent to Work — is an in-country change made without a Certificate of Eligibility, so read the "Work / Long-term without CoE" row unless ISA publishes a different figure for your target category.
- Processing times differ significantly by eligibility category. Initial applications, renewals, and replacements each go through different adjudication queues, and some categories consistently take longer than others.
- Processing times for this form vary by ISA office and current workload. Verify current processing times with ISA.
- While pending: track your case status using your application reference number, respond promptly to any requests for additional documents, and update your contact information with ISA if it changes.
Where to file
#Submit your application at the designated ISA office, embassy, or consulate. Check the official website for the location with jurisdiction over your place of residence.
Submit application
Submit your application at the ISA office or designated embassy/consulate in your country of residence. Check the official instructions for the correct location.
Filing locations and procedures may change. Always verify on the official ISA website before submitting. For related guidance, see Residence Card Renewal Application.
Form sections (What sections does Form Status Change have?)
#Personal Information
Identification details for the applicant.
- Full name, date of birth, and nationality
- Residence card number
- Current address in Japan
Current Status Details
Information about your existing immigration status.
- Current status of residence
- Period of stay and expiration date
Requested New Status
Details about the status you are changing to.
- Target status of residence
- Reason for change and planned activities under new status
Supporting Evidence
Documentation required for the new status.
- Employment contract or school admission letter
- Sponsor's company registration and financial statements
- Applicant's educational credentials and work experience documentation
Choose your path
#Choose your path based on your eligibility category. Each block summarizes who qualifies, what to file, common mistakes, and typical processing time.
Work to Spouse
work_to_spouse
Foreign nationals currently on a work visa who have married a Japanese national and wish to change to spouse status.
File with:
- Marriage certificate
- Spouse's family register
- Current residence card
Common mistakes:
- Filing after current work visa has already expired
Student to Work
student_to_work
Graduating students who have secured a job offer from a Japanese employer and meet the qualifications for a work visa category.
File with:
- Employment contract
- Employer's company registration and financial statements
- Diploma or graduation certificate
Common mistakes:
- Not securing employer documentation before graduation date
Dependent to Work
dependent_to_work
Dependents of visa holders who have obtained a qualifying job offer and wish to switch to an independent work visa.
File with:
- Employment contract from new employer
- Employer documentation
- Current residence card
Common mistakes:
- Working in the new role before status change approval is received
Strategy tips
#Mistake severity
#| Mistake type | Severity | How to avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Filing after current status has already expired | Rejection | Apply before your current status expires. Use the Designated Activities bridge status if timing is tight. |
| Qualifications do not match new status requirements | Rejection | Verify you meet the educational or professional requirements for the target status (e.g., university degree or 10+ years experience for Engineer/Specialist in Humanities). |
| Insufficient supporting documents from new sponsor | Delay | Have the employer or school prepare all required documents (company registration, financials, employment contract) before filing. |
| Working in new role before status change is approved | Deportation risk | Wait until the new residence card is issued before starting activities under the new status. |
Examples (What are examples for Form Status Change?)
#- Common weakness: Applicant provides outdated employment contract, leading to request for additional information.
- Strong application: An applicant provides a comprehensive explanation of their new employment contract and supporting documents, resulting in a smooth approval process.
- Strong application: Foreign nationals currently on a work visa who have married a Japanese national submit with required evidence; ISA approves the change and issues a new Residence Card (在留カード / Zairyu Card) within the published processing range for the category.
- Strong application: Graduating students who have secured a job offer from a Japanese employer submit with required evidence; ISA approves the change and issues a new Residence Card (在留カード / Zairyu Card) within the published processing range for the category.
- Strong application: Dependents of visa holders who have obtained a qualifying job offer submit with required evidence; ISA approves the change and issues a new Residence Card (在留カード / Zairyu Card) within the published processing range for the category.
Common misconceptions (What misconceptions surround Form Status Change?)
#- Filing does not automatically extend your status while the application is pending
- You may need to meet the eligibility requirements for the requested status of residence
- Paying the STATUS CHANGE filing fee does not guarantee acceptance — the fee is generally non-refundable even when the form is rejected for technical errors.
- A fee waiver for STATUS CHANGE is not automatic — only specific qualifying categories are eligible, and a waiver request can be denied while the underlying form is still expected to be filed.
- Processing time for STATUS CHANGE is not one-size-fits-all — different categories see very different timelines (for example, Short-term Stay (Standard) runs about approximately 5 days, while Work / Long-term without CoE runs about 1 to 3 months).
- STATUS CHANGE can be rejected before substantive review for technical errors such as “Ensure form edition is current.”
Edge cases and variations
#- If you are asked to submit or update Status Change, treat it as a package update: check every place the same details appear and keep them consistent.
In-depth guidance
#How to complete this form reliably
Treat Status Change as part of a system, not a standalone document. Most delays happen when details conflict across the form, supporting documents, and other parts of the application package. Before you start, gather the documents you will reference and decide which one is the source of truth for each field.
Fill the form in one sitting if possible. Partially-completed forms are where inconsistent edits creep in. When you finish, review each section and ask "what evidence in my package proves this statement?"
Change of status form vs. extension: which one you need, and where it goes
A change of status form is not a renewal. An extension of period of stay keeps the same status of residence and simply adds more time to it. The change of status form asks the immigration department to authorise a different status of residence, which normally means a different set of permitted activities — study, employment under a specific work category, or residence based on a family relationship. If more time under the status you already hold is all you need, the Application for Extension of Period of Stay is the form to use instead.
That distinction drives the evidence you have to assemble. An extension mostly re-proves that the original basis still holds. A status change has to prove a new basis from scratch: who the new sponsor is, what the new activity will be, and that you personally meet the qualifications for the requested category. Download the current status form and its instructions from ISA before you start, because the required attachments differ by target category and the checklist that comes with the form is category-specific.
File the completed form at the Regional Immigration Services Bureau covering the address on your residence card rather than whichever office is most convenient, and keep that address current with ISA so any request for additional documents reaches you. Nothing about your permissions changes at the counter: the new status of residence becomes effective only when ISA approves the application and issues a residence card showing it.
Until that card is in your hand, the activities allowed under your existing status are the only ones you may carry out — starting a new job or course before then can put your lawful residence at risk, so confirm the position with ISA or a qualified immigration professional before you change what you are doing.
Scenarios
#An international student completes a master's degree and receives a job offer from a Tokyo tech company. They apply to change from Student to Engineer/Specialist in Humanities with the company's registration, financials, and signed contract.
The status change is approved within the published processing range for the category. A new residence card is issued with work authorization.
Start the process early and have the employer prepare all supporting documents before graduation.
A spouse of a Japanese national wants to change to a work visa after divorce. They apply for Engineer/Specialist in Humanities but lack a qualifying degree or 10 years of experience.
Application is denied because qualifications do not meet the category requirements.
Verify that you meet all requirements for the target status before applying. Consult an immigration attorney if uncertain.
A student's visa expires in 2 weeks but the employer has not finished preparing documentation. The student applies for Designated Activities as a bridge.
Granted a 6-month Designated Activities status, allowing them to stay while the work status change is processed.
If timing is tight, the Designated Activities bridge prevents an illegal overstay while documents are gathered.
Key differentiators
#- Unlike Form COE APPLICATION: Certificate of Eligibility Application: Next step after approval: Change status after entry on different CoE
- Unlike Form EXTENSION OF STAY: Application for Extension of Period of Stay: Alternative option: Status change vs extension depending on goal
- Unlike Form RESIDENCE CARD: Residence Card Renewal Application: Card updated when status changes
What happens after you submit
#- Application receipt (受付票) at the ISA office.
- Review of submitted documents by ISA officials.
- Notification of decision by the ISA.
- If approved, Residence Card issuance at Immigration Services Agency office.
- Update of residence status in official records.
Verification
#This guide is based on official ISA instructions for Status Change and is updated with any new form editions or changes in filing rules. Always confirm the current requirements on the official ISA website.