Visa (status of residence)

Long-term Resident Visa

Updated: July 2026, 1


For long-term resident visa applications, please contact Support Gyoseishoshi Law Firm

To date, our company has applied for numerous long-term resident visas.
Because of this know-how, we are able to provide fast response and high-quality services.
In addition to determining requirements, this work involves the complexity of collecting documents and filling out application forms.
You will have to spend a lot of time and effort.
We will do our best to support you with the complicated long-term resident visa application.
 
The first consultation is free.

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Process until the result is announced

Please leave the following concerns to us!

  • I am married to a Japanese person/permanent resident, but my spouse has passed away. 
  • I want to continue living in Japan after getting divorced from a Japanese/permanent resident
  • My marriage to a Japanese person/permanent resident has effectively broken down.
  • A Japanese-Chinese couple wants to bring their child from China.
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CASE➀|What are the requirements for bringing the foreign spouse's child to Japan?

What are the requirements if I want to bring my foreign spouse's stepchildren to Japan?

CASE②|Can I apply for a long-term resident visa before getting divorced?

Can I apply for a long-term resident visa before getting divorced?

Benefits of Choosing Support Gyoseishoshi Law Firm

① Nationwide support

Our company has offices in Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka, and can provide services nationwide.

② Multilingual support

We have staff who can speak Chinese, English, Vietnamese, and Korean, so even those who find it difficult to consult in Japanese can feel at ease.

③Thorough management

Staff specializing in long-term resident visa applications are available to provide consultation to each customer.
Even if it is difficult for you to obtain, renew, or change a long-term resident visa on your own, we will work with you to find a solution and provide support.

④Success fee

We have a success fee system and will only receive compensation if approved.

⑤Quick and reliable response

With speedy response as our motto, we will handle your various applications promptly and reliably.

If you have applied on your own and are not making progress, please contact us.

■Those who have applied for a long-term resident visa and have received a “Notice of Submission of Additional Documents” from the Immigration Bureau. Long-term resident visa officer
A request for additional documents does not mean your application has been denied.
The submission of additional documents is time-sensitive.
In many cases, documents must be submitted within 1-2 weeks from the date of the notice, so prompt action is crucial.
We also provide support for submitting additional documents, so please contact us.



■Those who applied for a long-term resident visa and were denied the visa, or those who wish to reapply Long-term resident visa officer
There is no need to give up on obtaining a visa just because you receive a notification of denial.
By identifying and addressing the reasons for the denial and reapplying, there is a possibility of approval.
At our company, we accompany applicants to the Immigration Bureau to confirm the reasons for denial, and provide support for re-applications.

Flow of issuing a residence card

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Consultations regarding long-term resident visa applications are free of charge.
Consultations are also available in Chinese, English, Vietnamese, and Korean.
Please contact us by phone or via the inquiry form.

Consultation and Application
After confirming the current situation, we will explain the long-term resident application policy.
Please consult with the person in charge regarding payment timing and success fees.
Please make your request after agreeing to the estimated amount and service content.

Document Preparation
We will collect and prepare the necessary documents for your long-term resident visa application.
We can also translate documents in Chinese, English, Vietnamese, and Korean.
 

Application to the Immigration Bureau
Our administrative scrivener will apply for a long-term resident visa to the Immigration Bureau on your behalf.
Customers can apply without going to the Immigration Bureau.

Result notification ①: When calling from abroad with a long-term visa
If there are no problems as a result of the review, we will receive the "Certificate of Eligibility" necessary for obtaining a visa.
After payment of the fee, we will give this certificate to the client.
Additionally, in the unlikely event that your application is denied, you may be able to reapply at your request.

Result notification ②: When changing from another visa to a long-term resident visa
As a result of the examination, if there are no problems, the Immigration Bureau will send us a notification to proceed with the issuance of a new residence card.
Additionally, in the unlikely event that your application is denied, you may be able to reapply at your request.

Procedures after notification ①: Return to home country and visa application
The client sends the certification certificate to their home country and applies for a visa for the applicant at the local Japanese consulate.
Once you receive your visa, you will be able to enter Japan.
Please note that the certification certificate is valid for three months from the date of issue.

Procedures after results ②: Procedures for issuing a new residence card
We will guide the client regarding the documents required for the procedure for issuing a new residence card (passport, residence card, fees to be paid to the immigration bureau, etc.).
Once the documents have been prepared, our administrative scrivener will carry out the procedures for issuing a new residence card at the Immigration Bureau on behalf of the client.
Documents can be exchanged by mail, so there is no need to visit our office.
After paying the fee, we will return the passport and residence card to the client.

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What is a Long-term Resident Visa?

A long-term resident visa is a visa granted by the Minister of Justice for special reasons.
The Immigration Control Act stipulates that a person is "a person to whom the Minister of Justice, considering special reasons, designates a certain period of stay and approves residence." 

Like many other residence statuses, long-term resident statuses have a fixed validity period, but there are no ``work restrictions'' like international student or employment statuses.
It is also possible to work, and you can work without being subject to restrictions on industry or occupation.

If you may be eligible for a long-term resident visa 

  • If you continue to stay in Japan after divorcing your Japanese/permanent resident spouse
  • If the marriage with the Japanese/permanent resident spouse has actually broken down
  • When bringing a "stepchild" who is in the home country to Japan
  • If you came to Japan and graduated (or are expected to graduate) from Japanese elementary, junior high, or high school before the age of 17
  • If you are recognized as a refugee

Cases where “long-term resident” is granted (example)

① I want to divorce (or bereave) a Japanese person and continue living in Japan

In this case, the target of divorce includes not only Japanese nationals but also "special permanent residents," "permanent residents," and "long-term residents."
 
It is desirable to be able to confirm as many of the following facts as possible.

  • Been married for more than 3 years
  • In the case of divorce, the cause lies with the other party.
  • There are no problems with behavior.
  • Having a job that provides enough income to support yourself
  • Able to use Japanese to a level that does not hinder daily life

② If the marriage with a Japanese person is practically broken

  • The person had a normal married life, but suffered considerable damage due to domestic violence, cheating, etc.
  • Have assets that allow you to live on your own and a job that generates income
  • There is no delinquency or non-payment of taxes or social insurance premiums, and the visa has been renewed appropriately.

③Change from dependent visa to long-term resident visa

  • Must be under 18 at the time of entry
  • Must have completed Japanese compulsory education (elementary, middle, and high school)
  • Have graduated or are expected to graduate from a Japanese high school
  • Currently residing in Japan under the “Dependent Stay” status of residence.
  • A place of employment has been decided or offered.
  • Fulfilling public obligations such as notification of residence

Testimonials from customers who requested long-term resident visa applications


I saw the poster in front of the Immigration Bureau and made the request.
There were a lot of things going on before I applied, so it was difficult, but I am grateful to Ms. Yoshimura, who was in charge of my application, for being so thorough.

I love Yoshimura-san!
Thank you all!

I applied for a long-term resident visa.
I want to bring my son to Japan as soon as possible, but I don't know anything about the application process.
I was having a frustrating day.

Meanwhile, I went here for a free consultation through a friend's introduction.
All the staff members were very kind.
After talking in detail with Ms. Liu, the person in charge, she taught me a lot of things, and I started to feel more at ease.
I thought the fee was a little high, but I chose this company because the staff was reliable and I felt safe.
Also, during the document creation process, I was contacted each time, and I was able to understand the progress well.

I am very happy that I was able to successfully obtain my visa.
I will definitely introduce Support Gyoseishoshi Law Firm to my friends from now on!

I came to Japan from Vietnam as an international student.
After meeting and getting married to my Chinese wife (residence status: long-term resident), I requested a change from an international student visa to a long-term resident visa.

My wife and I were still young, and we were very worried about our ability to make a living.
Especially since my wife had just gotten a job and was not a full-time employee.
I have heard from my friends that it is difficult to change from being an international student to a long-term resident.
Even if things went well, I was worried that the review process would take a long time.

However, as a result, I received a call for approval within 4 days of applying!
I was so surprised that I received a phone call from Ms. Liu, who was in charge.
I ended up saying, “Ms. Liu, please don’t lie!” lol.
I was so happy that permission was granted so quickly.

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