What a Gyoseishoshi Can Do: Immigration Support in Minato-ku, Tokyo

A gyoseishoshi (also written gyouseishoshi; a licensed specialist in Japanese government procedures, including visas) is a nationally licensed legal professional qualified to prepare and submit official documents to government agencies. In immigration practice, a gyoseishoshi can prepare residence status applications for submission to the Immigration Services Agency of Japan (ISA), and a registered immigration specialist (a gyoseishoshi who has filed a notification with the Director of a Regional Immigration Services Bureau) can also submit the application documents to ISA in place of the applicant.

1. What Can a Gyoseishoshi Do with Regard to Residence Status?

Article 1-3 of the Gyoseishoshi Act stipulates that the duties of gyoseishoshi include preparing documents to be submitted to government offices and other documents related to rights, obligations or the certification of facts. Article 1-4, Paragraph 1, Item 1 of the Act further provides for acting as an agent in the procedure for submitting those documents to government offices. Since residence status application documents are documents submitted to the Immigration Services Agency (an external bureau of the Ministry of Justice), a gyoseishoshi can prepare them.

However, an application to change status of residence or extend the period of stay is, in principle, submitted by the applicant in person. Those who may submit it in place of the applicant are limited to persons such as the applicant’s legal representative, or a lawyer or gyoseishoshi who has filed a notification with the Director of a Regional Immigration Services Bureau and has been asked to do so by the applicant (see the section on filing intermediaries, toritsugisha, in ISA, “Application for Change of Status of Residence”, in Japanese). An application for a Certificate of Eligibility may also be filed by an agent specified for each status in Appended Table 4 of the Enforcement Regulation of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, such as a staff member of the receiving organization (Article 6-2, Paragraph 3 of the Regulation).

Our office (AEGIS International Administrative Firm, Minato-ku, Tokyo) provides visa application support for foreign nationals and companies, covering statuses such as Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services and Permanent Resident. As a registered immigration specialist who can also provide services in English, we explain each step clearly and help your immigration procedures go smoothly.

Specified Gyoseishoshi (gyoseishoshi who have completed the training conducted by the Japan Federation of Gyoseishoshi Associations) may represent clients in appeal procedures before administrative agencies, such as requests for administrative review, and prepare the documents for those procedures. Under the amended Gyoseishoshi Act (Act No. 65 of 2025), which took effect on January 1, 2026, this covers permissions and approvals related to documents that a gyoseishoshi can prepare for submission to government offices, extended from documents the gyoseishoshi actually prepared (Article 1-4, Paragraph 1, Item 2 and Paragraph 2; see Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, “Gyoseishoshi System”, in Japanese). Note, however, that dispositions concerning the entry and departure of foreign nationals are excluded from requests for review under the Administrative Complaint Review Act (Article 7, Paragraph 1, Item 10).

2. Benefits for Foreign Nationals

The procedures for residence status are complex and based on the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act. Our office is able to provide consultations in English. We listen carefully to your circumstances and suggest how to proceed. Our convenient location in Minato-ku, Tokyo is also a strength.

3. Support for Companies

For companies that employ foreign nationals, managing their employees’ status of residence is an important issue. Our office can handle applications for a Certificate of Authorized Employment (a document certifying the work activities a foreign national may engage in under their status of residence) and for extensions of the period of stay on your behalf, and we can also provide support in English. As a nearby partner for companies in Minato-ku, Tokyo, we work to reduce the burden on both the person in charge at the company and the foreign employee.

4. The Basics of Status of Residence

A status of residence is the legal status under which a foreign national resides in Japan. Statuses are set out in the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act according to the activities a person engages in, or their personal status or position, in Japan; examples include Student, Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services, and Permanent Resident. Accurate documents are required for application, and deficiencies may lengthen the examination or lead to the application being refused. At our office, we will provide you with everything from basic knowledge to practical advice, making use of our practical experience.

How We Can Help

At our office in Minato-ku, Tokyo, we support foreign nationals and companies as registered immigration specialists who specialize in residence status and can provide services in English. If you are having trouble with your visa application, please feel free to contact us.