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      

A foreign national is permitted to stay in Japan within the period of stay thus determined. If a foreign national desires to remain in Japan under the same status of residence beyond his or her authorized period of stay, it is necessary to apply for and obtain an extension of period of stay.
A foreign national who wishes to extend his or her period of stay should make an application for permission of extension of period of stay not later than the expiration date of the authorized period of stay. An application for extension of period of stay will be accepted from about two months prior to that date.

 Anyone who stays in Japan beyond his or her authorized period of stay may be subject to punishment and deportation.

Documents to be submitted
○APPLICATION FOR EXTENSION OF PERIOD OF STAY 
                                                                                                            1 copy
○Documents certifying the reasons necessitating the extension
                                                                                                     1 copy each       

 Permission for permanent residence is granted only when a foreign national, at least, fulfills the following conditions.
1 That the person is of good conduct
2 That the person has sufficient assets or ability to make an independent living.
3 That the permanent residence of the person is in accord with the interests of Japan.

Documents to be submitted
It is usually required to submit a copy of APPLICATION FOR PERMANENT RESIDENCE and the following documents.
                                                                         
(a)Materials showing that the applicant’s behavior and conduct have been good

(b)Materials showing that the applicant has sufficient assets or ability to make an   independent living. In case an applicant is supported by somebody else and dose not possess such assets or ability, the materials showing such assets or ability in respect to such a supporter should be furnished

(c)Letter of guarantee

(d)Documents certifying the family relations

(e)Statement concerning the reasons why an applicant hopes permanent residence

  A foreign national who is stay in Japan without getting through the procedures for landing (e. g. in case of renouncement or loss of Japanese nationality or birth in Japan) may continue to stay in Japan, without acquiring the status of residence, up to 60 days on and after the date of his or her renoucement or loss Japanese nationality, birth or other cause. However, if he or she desires to stay in Japan beyond that period, it is necessary to apply for acquisition of status of residence and acquire a status of residence and acquire a status of residence and period of stay within 30 days of the occurrence of the cause.
  In case of application by birth, application should be made by the father or mother, person who is taking care of him or her or any person who is actually living with the applicant.

Documents to be submitted
①For reason of birth:
○APPLICATION FOR PERMISSION TO ACQUIRE STATUS OF RESIDENCE      
                                                                                                              1 copy
○Documents certifying birth(e. g. “Certificate of Acceptance of Birth Report” issued by a city office, etc.)              
                                                                                                              1 copy
○Questionnaire(available at the Regional Immigration Bureau, etc.)
                                                                                                               1 copy
②For reasons other than birth:
○APPLICATION FOR PERMISSION TO ACQUIRE STATUS OF RESIDENCE                         
                                                                                                               1 copy
○Documents certifying the reasons for applying for acquisition of status of residence (e. g. in case of renoucement of name from family register (“josekitohon”) issued by a city office, documents certifying a foreign nationality such as passports, etc)    
                                                                                                              1 copy
○Materials explaining the activities to be engage ed in after acquisition of status of residence (e. g. in the case of a student, certificate of enrollment, school records,etc)
                                                                                                       1 copy each

  While a re-entry permission is, in general, valid only for one time, a multiple re-entry permission may be given to persons who need to make trips outside Japan frequently.
The term of validity of a re-entry permission is limited to within the date of expiration of period of stay and the maximum is 3 years(4years in the case of special permanent resident).
  When a foreign national who has left Japan with a re-entry permission has justifiable reasons, such as disease, for being unable to re-enter within the valid term of the permission, he or she may be granted extension of the validity within a period of one year and not exceeding four years(5years in the case of special permanent resident) from the issuance of the re-entry permission at a Japanese embassy or consulate abroad.       Needless to say, it is impossible to extend the validity beyond the authorized period of stay.

Documents to be submitted
①For reason of birth:
○APPLICATION FOR RE-ENTRY PERMIT
                                                                                                                2 copy
○Documents explaining the reasons why the applicant does not have a passport, if he or she does not carry one (excluding a stateless person or an alien from the country which is not officially recognized, etc.)　　　　
                                                                                  　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 1 copy
○Certificate of alien registration etc
                                                                                                        1 copy each
○Materials supporting the necessity of re-entry issued by recipient organization (e. g. in case of status of residence of “Pre-college Student” or “Trainee”)
                                                                                                        1 copy each