Change of Status of Residence from "Dependent" to "Long-Term Resident" or "Designated Activities"

Foreigners may change their status of residence from the "Dependent" to the "Long-Term Resident" or "Designated Activities" if they satisfy following conditions.

(Long-Term Resident/Requirements)

• Foreigners have been staying in Japan from their childhood, and have completed Japanese compulsory education (elementary and junior high school).
• Foreigners have graduated from Japanese high school.
• Foreigners have found their place of employment (including receiving an offer of employment).
• Foreigners are with good behavior, and are not subject to criminal penalties.

(Designated Activities/Requirements)

• Foreigners have graduated from Japanese high school.
• Foreigners have found their place of employment (including receiving an offer of employment).
• Foreigners need to have proficiency in Japanese equivalent to at least level N2 of the Japanese- Language Proficiency Test if they transferred to Japanese high school.
• Foreigners are under 18 years old at their entry into Japan.
• The person supporting foreigners must reside in Japan as their guarantor.
• Foreigners are with good behavior, and are not subject to criminal penalties.

(Advantages)

• These statuses of residence do not have any restriction in terms of the scope of activities including working activities.
• Foreigners are able to work for longer hours than is allowed with permission to engage in an activity other than that permitted by the status of residence previously granted (28 hours per week).
• In order to change the status of residence to any kind of work permits, foreigners need to satisfy the permissible standards such as their educational background or working experience. However, the holders of the "Long-Term Resident" or "Designated Activities" are permitted to engage in working activities without satisfying these standards. 

(Note)

• This exception is given only for foreign children living in Japan for a long time; therefore, their father and mother with "Dependent" visa are not eligible to apply this rule.   
• Please check your current status if you are able to change your status of residence to the "Permanent Resident". Some families are missing to change their status of residence even though they are eligible.