Japan Immigration Lawyer | Visa & Residence Status Support by Licensed Gyoseishoshi
Japan Immigration & Visa Support
Looking for an Immigration Lawyer in Japan?
Visa and residence status support by a licensed Gyoseishoshi (Administrative Scrivener) in Japan.
Kawagoe Masanobu Administrative Scrivener Office supports foreign nationals, families and companies with Certificate of Eligibility applications, work visas, spouse visas, permanent residence, change of status, extensions and other Japanese immigration procedures.
What does “immigration lawyer” mean in Japan?
If you search for an immigration lawyer in Japan, you may find both attorneys-at-law (Bengoshi) and Administrative Scriveners (Gyoseishoshi).
In Japan, a Gyoseishoshi is a licensed legal professional who can prepare documents for government procedures. A Gyoseishoshi who has completed the required notification as an application intermediary can also submit eligible residence applications to the Immigration Services Agency on behalf of clients.
A Gyoseishoshi is a different legal profession from a Bengoshi (attorney-at-law). Kawagoe Masanobu Administrative Scrivener Office is a Gyoseishoshi office, not a law firm.
Japanese immigration services we can assist with
Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services
For engineers, IT professionals, interpreters, translators, overseas sales staff, marketing professionals and other qualifying specialist roles. We review the relationship between the proposed work and the applicant's education or professional experience.
Spouse or Child of Japanese National
For a foreign spouse of a Japanese national, including COE applications from overseas, change of status in Japan and extensions of period of stay. We also review documents concerning the marriage, living arrangements and financial circumstances.
Certificate of Eligibility
For foreign nationals planning to enter Japan under an eligible status of residence. The necessary documents depend on the planned activity, employer, family relationship and other circumstances.
Change of Status of Residence
For foreign nationals already in Japan who need to change to a different status of residence because of employment, marriage, graduation, a change in activity or another qualifying reason.
Extension of Period of Stay
For foreign nationals who will continue the activities permitted under their current status of residence. If your employer, job, family circumstances or other facts have changed, additional explanation or documents may be necessary.
Permanent Residence
We review residence history, current status, income and livelihood, taxes, pension, health insurance, immigration notifications and other factors relevant to a permanent residence application.
Highly Skilled Professional / J-Skip
Support is available for Highly Skilled Professional applications, points-based assessment and J-Skip cases. The appropriate route depends on the applicant's academic background, professional experience, income and proposed activities in Japan.
Business Manager
For foreign nationals who plan to manage or administer a business in Japan. Current requirements must be reviewed carefully before company establishment, capital investment, staffing and the residence application are planned.
Dependent
For eligible spouses and children who are financially supported by a foreign national residing in Japan under a qualifying status of residence.
Specified Skilled Worker
We support residence applications for Specified Skilled Worker cases and also operate as a Registered Support Organization for Specified Skilled Worker (i) support.
When should you consult a Japan immigration professional?
- You have a job offer in Japan and are not sure which work status applies.
- Your company wants to hire a foreign national from overseas.
- You are graduating from a Japanese school and need to change from Student status to a work status.
- You are married to a Japanese national and want to live together in Japan.
- You want to bring your spouse or child to Japan.
- You changed jobs and are unsure how the change affects your status of residence.
- Your period of stay will expire and your circumstances have changed since your previous application.
- You are considering permanent residence and want to confirm your residence history and public obligations.
- You received a refusal in the past and want to review the reason before reapplying.
- You live outside Japan and need help coordinating documents for a Japanese immigration application.
Our professional fees
The following are representative fees currently published by Kawagoe Masanobu Administrative Scrivener Office. The final fee depends on the residence status, application type, supporting documents, translations, explanatory statements and complexity of the case.
| Service | Professional fee | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services | ¥110,000+ | COE or change of status |
| Spouse or Child of Japanese National | ¥110,000+ | COE or change of status |
| Dependent | ¥88,000+ | COE or change of status |
| Highly Skilled Professional (i) | ¥110,000+ | COE or change of status |
| Business Manager | ¥165,000+ | COE or change of status |
| Specified Skilled Worker application support | ¥110,000+ | Residence application support |
| Permanent Residence — salaried individual | ¥165,000+ | Full permanent residence application support |
| Standard extension with no major change | From ¥33,000 / ¥44,000 | Depends on the current status of residence |
| Document review before self-filing | ¥22,000+ | For applicants who plan to file by themselves |
All amounts above include Japanese consumption tax. Government fees, certificate fees, postage, translation fees, transportation expenses and an application intermediary fee may be charged separately depending on the case. A detailed quotation will be provided in advance.
Important: Japanese immigration fees change from October 1, 2026
Japan will revise government fees for change of status, extension of period of stay and permanent residence for applications accepted on or after October 1, 2026.
For change and extension applications, the fee will vary according to the period of stay granted. Applications accepted by September 30, 2026 remain subject to the pre-revision government fee even if permission is granted on or after October 1.
These government fees are separate from our professional fees. Please confirm the applicable amount at the time of filing.
Revision of residence-related government fees effective October 1, 2026
Why clients contact our office
Masanobu Kawagoe
Our office is based in Sagae City, Yamagata Prefecture. We handle immigration and residence status matters for foreign nationals, families and employers, with consultations available from across Japan and overseas.
For Specified Skilled Worker (i) cases, we can also provide ongoing support as a Registered Support Organization, including support in English, Chinese and Vietnamese.
How the process works
Contact us
Tell us your nationality, current location, current status of residence if you are in Japan, planned activity, employer or family situation, and the procedure you are considering.
Initial consultation
We review your circumstances and explain the procedure that may apply, the documents likely to be required and the professional fee.
Document preparation
After engagement, we provide a document list and prepare the application forms and explanatory documents required for the case.
Application support
Where the procedure is eligible and the case is within the scope of our service, we support submission as an application intermediary. In some cases, personal attendance or another procedure may still be required.
After filing
If the Immigration Services Agency requests additional materials, we review the request and support preparation of the necessary response within the agreed scope of service.
What to prepare for your first inquiry
If you are already in Japan
- Nationality
- Current status of residence
- Expiration date
- Current employer or school
- Planned job, marriage or other change
- Any previous refusal or immigration issue
If you are outside Japan
- Nationality and current country of residence
- Purpose of coming to Japan
- Japanese employer, school or family member
- Planned start date
- Education and work history where relevant
- Any previous stay or application in Japan
Frequently asked questions
Are you an immigration lawyer or an attorney-at-law?
Kawagoe Masanobu Administrative Scrivener Office is a Gyoseishoshi office. A Gyoseishoshi is a licensed legal professional in Japan, but it is a different profession from a Bengoshi (attorney-at-law). Our office handles administrative procedures including immigration and residence status applications within the scope permitted to Gyoseishoshi.
Can a Gyoseishoshi submit my visa or residence application?
A Gyoseishoshi who has made the required notification as an application intermediary can submit eligible residence applications on behalf of clients. Whether a particular procedure can be handled through the intermediary system depends on the application and circumstances.
Can I consult you from outside Japan?
Yes. Overseas inquiries are accepted through our contact form. For a Certificate of Eligibility or another Japan-side procedure, we first confirm the planned activity in Japan and the Japanese employer, family member, school or other receiving organization involved.
Can you help clients outside Yamagata?
Yes. We accept consultations from across Japan. Depending on the procedure and the circumstances, preparation and filing support may be handled remotely or online. Some procedures may still require attendance, original documents or coordination with the competent immigration office.
How much does a Japan visa application cost?
Our professional fees vary by status of residence and application type. For example, Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services and Spouse or Child of Japanese National applications are generally ¥110,000 or more, Dependent applications are generally ¥88,000 or more, and Business Manager applications are generally ¥165,000 or more. Government fees and other expenses may be separate.
Can you guarantee that my application will be approved?
No. Immigration decisions are made by the competent Japanese immigration authority after examination of the facts and documents. We can help you identify the applicable requirements, organize evidence and prepare the application, but approval cannot be guaranteed.
I changed jobs. Do I need to change my status of residence?
Not always. The correct procedure depends on your current status, the new job duties and other facts. In some cases, a notification or a Certificate of Authorized Employment may be relevant; in other cases, a change of status is necessary. We can review the new job before you decide how to proceed.
When can I apply for an extension of my period of stay?
For a person with a period of stay of six months or more, the Immigration Services Agency generally accepts an extension application from approximately three months before the expiration date. Different handling may apply in special circumstances.
How long do I need to live in Japan before applying for permanent residence?
The general guideline requires continuous residence in Japan for at least ten years, including at least five years under an eligible work or residence status, subject to the detailed requirements. There are special exceptions for certain spouses, long-term residents, highly skilled professionals and other categories. Tax, pension, health insurance, immigration notifications and other public obligations are also important.
Can you help after a previous visa or residence application refusal?
We can review the available documents and circumstances and discuss what should be confirmed before a new application is considered. A new application should not simply repeat the previous filing without reviewing the reason for refusal and any change in circumstances.
Related Japan visa and residence services
Official information on Japanese immigration procedures
Immigration Services Agency — Information for attorneys and Administrative Scriveners
Immigration Services Agency — Change of Status of Residence
Immigration Services Agency — Extension of Period of Stay
Immigration Services Agency — Guidelines for Permanent Residence
Immigration Services Agency — Residence-related government fee revision from October 1, 2026
Need help with a Japan visa or residence status?
Tell us your current situation and what you want to do in Japan. We will confirm the type of procedure that may apply and explain the documents, professional fee and next steps.
Kawagoe Masanobu Administrative Scrivener Office
Sagae City, Yamagata, Japan
Phone: 0237-86-7198
Phone hours: 9:00–18:00
Initial consultation is available. Please use the contact form if you are outside Japan or do not have a Japanese telephone number.