Immigration Lawyer Shigehiro Mori / 森 繁弘

17/09/2026

📊 Visa & Residence Status Processing Times — Updated!

How long does it actually take to get a visa approved in Japan right now?

We've updated our English-language table with the latest figures released by Japan's Immigration Services Agency (national averages, most recent approvals). Covers Highly Skilled Professional, Business Manager, Specified Skilled Worker, Student, spouse visas, Permanent Residence, and more.

⚠️ Please note: these are national averages only. Processing can take longer at immigration offices in major cities like Tokyo and Osaka (Permanent Residence applications especially), and times can vary from month to month depending on application volume. Use this table as a general reference, not a guarantee.

🔗 [link]https://expanding-forest.com/blog/tpost/processing-data

Bookmark it — we update it every month.

Updated monthly — based on data published by the Immigration Services Agency of Japan, this page summarizes processing times for each residence status. Figures are national averages and should be used as a general guide only.

10/09/2026

⛷️ Thinking about spending winters in Niseko, Furano, or Hokkaido — but not sure which visa status fits?

Many overseas visitors who fall in love with Hokkaido start wondering about buying a second home here and staying longer each year. One option worth knowing about is the "Long Stay" Designated Activities status — designed for tourism and recreation, not for work.

In our latest article, we break down:
✅ Who qualifies (nationality, age, and asset requirements)
✅ Why owning a home in Hokkaido doesn't automatically give you the right to stay long-term
✅ The key difference between "Long Stay" and the "Business Manager" visa
✅ Real examples — from a second-home owner in Niseko to a U.S. company president considering working remotely from Hokkaido

If you're dreaming of "winter in Hokkaido, summer back home," this is a must-read before you buy.

👉 [Read the full article]

A Gyoseishoshi explains Japan's 'Long Stay' status for tourism: asset and nationality requirements, and how it differs from a Business Manager visa, with Hokkaido examples.

03/09/2026

28/08/2026

New on the blog! 📝

We just published a new article exploring the Tour Guide Residence Status in Japan. Take a quick break and enjoy the read!

🔗

A ImmigrationLawyer explains residence status for foreign tour guides: why a foreign language alone isn't enough for Gijinkoku, and how Designated Activities No. 46 differs.

17/08/2026

🚨 Major update on Japan's Permanent Residence requirements 🚨

On August 4, 2026, Japan's Immigration Services Agency published a draft revision that could significantly tighten permanent residence approval — including new proposed standards for:
💰 Household income (above the average for Japanese households)
👴 Pension (equivalent to 30 years of Employees' Pension contributions)
🗾 Japanese language ability (independent-user level)

Still at the draft/public-comment stage — nothing is finalized yet. But with the "3-year period of stay" transitional measure also ending in April 2027, now is a good time to review your income, taxes, pension, and residence status.

Full breakdown (from an administrative scrivener's perspective) on our blog 👇

Explaining the draft revision to Japan's permanent residence guidelines announced Aug 4, 2026: new income, pension, and Japanese standards, plus the April 2027 transition deadline.

12/08/2026

🏠 Buying a house in Japan does not give you the right to live in Japan.

Thinking about buying an akiya (vacant house) in Japan?

Owning property and having the right to reside in Japan are two completely different things.

Buying a house does not automatically give you a visa or a status of residence.

If you are considering buying property in Japan and eventually living here, it is important to check your immigration options before you buy.

The house may be yours.
Your right to stay in Japan is a separate matter.

Buying a vacant home does not grant residence rights. Learn about visa options: long-term stay, business management, work, and family-based visas for foreign residents considering relocation.

04/08/2026

🇯🇵 Frequent visitor to Japan?

Japan offers a Trusted Traveler Program (TTP) for eligible travelers, making immigration procedures quicker through automated gates.

Check the official eligibility requirements here:

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29/07/2026

A Sapporo immigration lawyer explains Japan's 2026 permanent residence tightening news: the income standard, "30-year pension" rule, and what to prepare before April 2027.

Japan's 2026 permanent residence tightening explained by an immigration lawyer: income standard, 30-year pension rule, and 7 prep points before the April 2027 change.

29/07/2026

Japan’s Permanent Residency: What We Know So Far

There has been growing concern within the foreign community about possible changes to Japan’s Permanent Residency requirements, including reports suggesting that the screening criteria may become significantly stricter and that the changes could potentially affect people who are already living in Japan.

For many foreign residents who have built their careers, families, and lives here with the expectation of applying for Permanent Residency in the future, these reports are understandably unsettling.

At this stage, however, we still need to be careful about what information we rely on. The exact details and timing will ultimately depend on official announcements and guidance from the Japanese government.

As an immigration administrative scrivener working with foreign residents in Hokkaido, I have been closely following the developments and gathering as much reliable information as possible.

I understand that many people may be feeling anxious about what these potential changes could mean for their future in Japan.

While I cannot influence government policy or predict exactly what the final rules will look like, I believe that having accurate and up-to-date information is extremely important.

I will continue to monitor the situation and share useful information as it becomes available.

For anyone who is considering Permanent Residency in Japan, now may be a good time to review your current situation and understand how the possible changes could affect your plans.

22/07/2026

Sharing this again as the date is approaching. No reservation needed, so if you've been meaning to go, this is a good chance.

🔁Sapporo Immigration Services Bureau Free Consultation

🗓️ Free Holiday Consultation for Foreign Residents – Sapporo

Having trouble with immigration procedures? The Hokkaido Foreign Residents Consultation Center is holding a free weekend consultation session — no appointment needed.

📅 Date: Saturday, July 25, 2026 (Reiwa 8)
🕐 Time: 9:00–12:00 / 13:00–17:00
📍 Location: Hokkaido Foreign Residents Consultation Center, Kita 3-jo Nishi 7-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo
✅ Walk-ins welcome — no reservation required

Details below 👇