Guidance for foreign nationals living and working in Saitama Prefecture as they prepare to renew or change their residence status or address work visa matters after changing jobs. We accept consultations from foreign nationals nationwide, including in Saitama Prefecture, and consultations from companies nationwide about hiring foreign nationals and recruitment. The checks required and the place to file an application vary depending on the circumstances. Please confirm consultation methods, including in-person and online options, in advance.
Organizing your preparations for an extension or change in Saitama Prefecture
Organize the expiry date of your period of stay, residence card, passport, and any changes in your current employer, school, or family circumstances as early as possible. The official guidance from the Tokyo Regional Immigration Services Bureau lists the Saitama Branch Office as a general contact point for residence examinations for Saitama Prefecture. Whether an extension or a change is needed depends on the relationship between your current status of residence and the activities you will undertake. Required documents and forms vary by status, so it is important to check the official guidance, including whether originals or translations are required.
Check the job duties when considering a work visa after changing jobs
When changing jobs, do not just confirm that you have found a job; check whether the duties in the new position fall within the activities permitted under your current status of residence. For example, for Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services, you may need to consider individually the relationship between the job duties and your education or work history, the employment terms, and company documents. Organize the dates of leaving and starting work, the contract, and job description chronologically, and check early whether a notification or permission to change status is required.
Public Consultations vs. Hiring an Administrative Scrivener
The Saitama Information & Support Center for Foreign Residents provides information on consulting experts about immigration, status of residence, and period of stay. Public services are useful as an entry point for information about the system and advice on daily-life matters. If you are considering engaging an administrative scrivener, first organize your individual circumstances, then confirm in advance the services available—such as preparing application documents or submitting them on your behalf—the fees, and how to get in touch. Public consultation services are not services provided by our office.
What Companies Should Check When Hiring Foreign Nationals
Companies hiring foreign nationals in Saitama Prefecture should check before hiring that the job being recruited for, the candidate’s status of residence, and the position after joining the company are consistent. We accept inquiries about hiring and job recruitment from across Japan, but this page does not confirm whether we hold a job-placement license or whether personnel placement is available. Rather than assuming that candidates will be introduced, companies should separately consider the employment contract, job duties, required status-of-residence procedures, and internal arrangements for receiving employees.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I tell the difference between an extension and a change of status of residence?
Whether an extension or a change is appropriate depends on your current status of residence and the activities you will undertake in the future. If you are changing jobs, starting school, or experiencing a change in your family circumstances, check early using your residence card, contracts, and other relevant documents. Confirm the final application office and required documents in the latest guidance from the immigration office with jurisdiction over your place of residence.
How does Saitama Prefecture’s public consultation service differ from engaging an administrative scrivener?
The Saitama Information & Support Center for Foreign Residents is a public information service where you can consult experts about matters such as status of residence. If you want individual application documents prepared or need to confirm engagement terms, separately check with an administrative scrivener what services can be provided, the fees, and how to get in touch. These are different services.
What should a company check first when hiring a foreign national?
Companies need to check not only a candidate’s background but also the proposed job duties, employment terms, and their relationship to the candidate’s status of residence. Even when inquiries about recruitment and hiring are accepted nationwide, please confirm with the office before engaging us whether job placement is permitted, what licenses or authorizations are held, and the specific scope of services.
Official Resources and Related Consultation Services
Systems and public consultation services may change. Please check the latest official information when proceeding with an application. Public consultation services are separate from our office.
Tell us your current residence status and which procedure you are considering
We accept consultations nationwide on residence status renewals and changes, and work visas. We will confirm the details and advise you on consultation methods, fees, and whether we can assist.
Consult About Status of Residence and Visas