When a foreign national desires to cease his her present activity and concentrate on an altogether new activity which falls outside those permitted under his or her status of residence, he or she should apply for and obtain a change of status of residence.
  For instance, a holder of status of residence of Specialist in Humanities／International Services, who gets married with a Japanese national and wishes to remain in Japan, or a student who hopes to be employed in Japan after completion of his or her studies, and others can file an application for the change of status.
  Anyone engaging solely in an activity involving the management of business or the remuneration other than that permitted under his or her status of residence without obtaining this permission may be subject to punishment and deportation.

Documents to be submitted
○APPLICATION FOR CHANGE OF STATUS OF RESIDENCE 
                                                                                                            1 copy
○Materials indicating in concrete terms the nature of the new activity to be engaged in(e. g. copy of letter of admission, documents proving the applicant’s ability to bear all the expenses necessary during his or her stay in Japan, etc. in applying for a change to the status of residence of student; copy of employment contract etc. as a document showing the activities concerned, the duration, the position to be assumed, and amount of remuneration, in applying for a change to the status of residence of “Professor” or “Engineer”.
                                                                                                      1 copy each