Regulation for Enforcement of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act
出入国管理及び難民認定法施行規則
A Ministry of Justice Order (法務省令) that fills in the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act: how long each status of residence (在留資格) is granted for, the forms and documents each application takes, what residents and the organizations that accept them must report, and how officials carry out landing, revocation, deportation, detention and refugee procedures.
- Text in force since
- Promulgated
- Articles
- 216
- Amendments on the way
- 3
What this law does
- Until 31 March 2027: Article 3 and Appended Table II set the periods of stay (在留期間) each status of residence is granted for. Most work statuses — among them Professor, Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services, Intra-company Transferee, Nursing Care and Skilled Labor — are granted for 5 years, 3 years, 1 year or 3 months, and Business Manager also for 6 or 4 months; Spouse or Child of Japanese National and Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident for 5 years, 3 years, 1 year or 6 months; Temporary Visitor for 90, 30 or 15 days, or a number of days up to 90 that the Minister of Justice designates. The Minister designates the period for Student (up to 4 years and 3 months), Dependent (up to 5 years), Specified Skilled Worker (i) (up to 3 years) and Technical Intern Training (技能実習: up to 1 year for its item (i) activities, up to 2 years for items (ii) and (iii)), while Specified Skilled Worker (ii) is granted for 3 years, 2 years, 1 year or 6 months, and Permanent Resident and Highly Skilled Professional (ii) have no time limit.(Art. 3(1), Appended Table 2, Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act Art. 2-2(3)) (the provisions it rests on)
Read the full overview
- From 1 April 2027: Article 3 and Appended Table II set the periods of stay (在留期間) each status of residence is granted for — though someone already on Technical Intern Training (技能実習) on 1 April 2027 keeps that status and its period under the old rules, as Article 8(1) of the supplementary provisions of the amending Act (Act No. 60 of 2024) provides. Most work statuses — among them Professor, Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services, Nursing Care, Skilled Labor and Intra-company Transferee for its item (i) activities — are granted for 5 years, 3 years, 1 year or 3 months, and Business Manager also for 6 or 4 months; Spouse or Child of Japanese National and Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident for 5 years, 3 years, 1 year or 6 months; Temporary Visitor for 90, 30 or 15 days, or a number of days up to 90 that the Minister of Justice designates. The Minister designates the period for Student (up to 4 years and 3 months), Dependent (up to 5 years), Specified Skilled Worker (i) (up to 3 years), Intra-company Transferee for its item (ii) activities (up to 1 year) and Employment for Skill Development (育成就労), which takes the place of Technical Intern Training (技能実習) in the table (up to 2 years), while Specified Skilled Worker (ii) is granted for 3 years, 2 years, 1 year or 6 months, and Permanent Resident and Highly Skilled Professional (ii) have no time limit.(Art. 3(1), Appended Table 2, Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act Art. 2-2(3), Suppl. Prov. Art. 11(2)) (the provisions it rests on)
- Until 18 March 2027: To change status (在留資格の変更) or extend the period of stay (在留期間の更新), a foreign national files Form 30 for a change, or Form 30-2 for an extension by the day the period of stay ends, with a photograph and the documents Appended Table III (for a change) or Appended Table III (7) (for an extension) lists for the status, and shows their passport and, if a mid- to long-term resident (中長期在留者), their residence card (在留カード); the director of the regional immigration services bureau (地方出入国在留管理局) may waive documents. For an extension of most work statuses the documents include one showing the activity, its period and the person's position, and a certificate of annual income and tax paid; for Student, a certificate of enrollment and a transcript, and proof of the means to pay for the stay. A mid- to long-term resident's residence card is marked to show the application is pending.(Art. 20(1), Art. 20(2), Art. 20(4), Art. 20(5), Art. 21(1), Art. 21(2), Art. 21(4), Appended Table 3, Appended Table 3-7) (the provisions it rests on)
- From 19 March 2027: To change status (在留資格の変更) or extend the period of stay (在留期間の更新), a foreign national files Form 30 for a change, or Form 30-2 for an extension by the day the period of stay ends, with a photograph and the documents Appended Table III (for a change) or Appended Table III (7) (for an extension) lists for the status, and shows their passport and, if a mid- to long-term resident (中長期在留者), their residence card (在留カード); the director of the regional immigration services bureau (地方出入国在留管理局) may waive documents. For every status in those tables other than Diplomat and Official, the documents include ones on annual income, on taxation and tax payment, and on enrollment in social insurance (社会保険) and payment of its premiums — for an extension of a Student's stay paid for by someone else, that person's too. A mid- to long-term resident's residence card is marked to show the application is pending.(Art. 20(1), Art. 20(2), Art. 20(4), Art. 20(5), Art. 21(1), Art. 21(2), Art. 21(4), Appended Table 3, Appended Table 3-7) (the provisions it rests on)
- Until 18 March 2027: An application for permanent residence (永住許可) is made on Form 34 with a photograph, documents showing good conduct and assets or skills enough to make an independent living, and a letter of guarantee from a guarantor (身元保証人) living in Japan; the director of the regional immigration services bureau may waive documents. Spouses and children of Japanese nationals, permanent residents and special permanent residents need not submit the first two; recognised refugees, people recognised as eligible for complementary protection, and people whose need for protection the UN refugee agency or another international body has recognised and who meet this Order's requirements need not submit proof of independent living. Those requirements cover people the UN refugee agency recommended to Japan for protection while they were staying for a time in one of 21 Asian countries the Order names, who landed as someone able to adapt to Japanese society and expected to find work that supports them, as that person's spouse or close family, or as a relative of such a person able to be supported within the family, and have stayed on since.(Art. 22(1), Art. 22(1)(i), Art. 22(1)(ii), Art. 22(1)(iii), Art. 22(4), Art. 22(4)(i), Art. 22(4)(ii), Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act Art. 22(2), Art. 22(4)(i)(a), Art. 22(4)(i)(b), Art. 22(4)(ii)(c)) (the provisions it rests on)
- From 19 March 2027: An application for permanent residence (永住許可) is made on Form 34 with a photograph, documents showing good conduct and assets or skills enough to make an independent living, a letter of guarantee from a guarantor (身元保証人) living in Japan, a document on annual income, and documents on taxation and tax payment and on enrollment in social insurance (社会保険) and payment of its premiums; the director of the regional immigration services bureau may waive documents. Spouses and children of Japanese nationals, permanent residents and special permanent residents need not submit the good-conduct and independent-living documents; recognised refugees, people recognised as eligible for complementary protection, and people whose need for protection the UN refugee agency or another international body has recognised and who meet this Order's requirements need not submit proof of independent living. Those requirements cover people the UN refugee agency recommended to Japan for protection while they were staying for a time in one of 21 Asian countries the Order names, who landed as someone able to adapt to Japanese society and expected to find work that supports them, as that person's spouse or close family, or as a relative of such a person able to be supported within the family, and have stayed on since.(Art. 22(1), Art. 22(1)(i), Art. 22(1)(ii), Art. 22(1)(iii), Art. 22(1)(iv), Art. 22(1)(v), Art. 22(4), Art. 22(4)(i), Art. 22(4)(ii), Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act Art. 22(2), Art. 22(4)(i)(a), Art. 22(4)(i)(b), Art. 22(4)(ii)(c)) (the provisions it rests on)
- A Certificate of Eligibility (在留資格認定証明書) is applied for in person at a regional immigration services bureau on Form 6-3, with a photograph taken within the previous six months and the documents Appended Table III lists for the intended activity. The application can be made in Japan on the foreign national's behalf by the proxy Appended Table IV names for that activity — for example a staff member of the Japanese organization that has a contract with them, or a relative living in Japan for a spouse of a Japanese national — and where the bureau director finds it appropriate, an approved staff member of a public-interest corporation or registered support organization (登録支援機関), an attorney or administrative scrivener (行政書士) who has notified the bureau through their association, or a legal representative may file it without the applicant appearing. The director issues the certificate only where the applicant proves the foreign national meets the activity condition for landing, and may refuse it where they clearly fail another landing condition.(Art. 6-2(1), Art. 6-2(2), Art. 6-2(3), Art. 6-2(4), Art. 6-2(5), Appended Table 3, Appended Table 4) (the provisions it rests on)
- A holder of an Appended Table I status who wants to work or run a business outside it applies in person at a regional immigration services bureau on Form 28 for permission to engage in an activity other than that permitted under the status of residence (資格外活動許可), showing their passport and residence card if a mid- to long-term resident, or otherwise their passport or certificate of status of residence (在留資格証明書). The permission is either a general one for up to 28 hours a week of paid work or business — for a Student, up to 8 hours a day during the school's long vacation and only while enrolled — never at or for adult-entertainment businesses the Act on Control and Improvement of Amusement Businesses, a separate Act, defines, or one for an activity the director designates individually, naming the organization and its work; a third kind lets someone employed by a local government on Instructor, Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services or Skilled Labor (sports coaching) status take up to 28 hours a week of teaching, engineering or humanities work, international-services work or sports coaching under a contract with a local government. A person given Student status on landing who applies straight away, unless a 3-month period of stay was decided for them, files Form 29-4 instead of the usual application and is given the general permission.(Art. 19(1), Art. 19(2), Art. 19(5), Art. 19(5)(i), Art. 19(5)(ii), Art. 19(5)(iii), Art. 19-2(1), Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act Art. 19(2), Art. 19-2(4)) (the provisions it rests on)
- A mid- to long-term resident whose status ties them to an organization reports to a regional immigration services bureau, within the 14 days the Act sets, when that organization — the one they work, study or train with, or the one they have a contract with — changes its name or address or ceases to exist, or when they leave it, move to another or sign a new contract; a spouse on Dependent, Spouse or Child of Japanese National or Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident status reports a divorce or the spouse's death. The report gives their name, date of birth, sex, nationality or region, address and residence card number, and the details Appended Table III (3) lists for the event, such as its date and the new organization's name, address and the activities there. It can also be sent by post to an office the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency designates.(Art. 19-15(1), Art. 19-15(2), Art. 19-15(3), Appended Table 3-3, Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act Art. 19-16(1)) (the provisions it rests on)
- A mid- to long-term resident reports their address (住居地) within 14 days of settling on it or moving, at the municipal office and on Form 29-8, handing in their residence card, and reports a change of name, date of birth, sex or nationality within 14 days at a regional immigration services bureau on Form 29-9, with a photograph, proof of the change, their passport and the card. They apply to renew the card on Form 29-10 with a photograph within the 3 months before it expires, unless it runs to the end of their period of stay, and if it is lost or stolen apply for a new one on Form 29-11 with a photograph and proof of the loss within 14 days of learning of it (or of first coming back to Japan, if they learn of it abroad). Not reporting an address or a change of those details is punishable by a fine of up to 200,000 yen.(Art. 19-8(1), Art. 19-9(1), Art. 19-9(2), Art. 19-10(1), Art. 19-11(1), Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act Art. 19-7(1), Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act Art. 19-9(1), Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act Art. 19-10(1), Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act Art. 19-11(1), Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act Art. 19-12(1), Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act Art. 61-8-3(1)(i), Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act Art. 61-8-3(1)(ii), Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act Art. 71-5(1)(i), Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act Art. 71-5(1)(ii), Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act Art. 71-5(1)(iii)) (the provisions it rests on)
- A child born in Japan, or a person who gives up Japanese nationality, may stay without a status of residence for 60 days; to stay longer they apply within 30 days of the birth or the loss of nationality to acquire a status of residence (在留資格の取得), on Form 36 with a photograph (none for a child under 1) and a document proving the birth, or their nationality, and show a passport or explain in writing why they cannot. The documents Appended Table III lists for the status are asked for too, as for a change of status. Acquiring Permanent Resident status this way is applied for on Form 34, with the documents a permanent residence application takes.(Art. 24(1), Art. 24(2), Art. 24(3), Art. 24(4), Art. 24(5), Art. 25(1), Appended Table 3, Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act Art. 22-2(1), Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act Art. 22-2(2)) (the provisions it rests on)
Amendments
A Japanese law is changed by another law or order that rewrites it — an . This law has 3 amendments on the way — , but . Its amendment history is below. The amendments this site has read the changes of are on this law's amendments page, provision by provision, in Japanese and English.
1 October 2026
in 4 days
Ministerial Order Partially Amending the Regulation for Enforcement of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, etc.
出入国管理及び難民認定法施行規則等の一部を改正する省令
19 March 2027
in 6 months
Ministerial Order Partially Amending the Regulation for Enforcement of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act
出入国管理及び難民認定法施行規則の一部を改正する省令
1 April 2027
in 6 months
Ministerial Order on the Arrangement of Ministry of Justice Orders and on Transitional Measures upon the Enforcement of the Act Partially Amending the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act and the Act on Proper Technical Intern Training and Protection of Technical Intern Trainees
出入国管理及び難民認定法及び外国人の技能実習の適正な実施及び技能実習生の保護に関する法律の一部を改正する法律の施行に伴う法務省令の整備及び経過措置に関する省令
70 amendments already in force
1 September 2026
The text on this site
Ministerial Order Partially Amending the Regulation for Enforcement of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act
出入国管理及び難民認定法施行規則の一部を改正する省令
1 July 2026
Ministerial Order Partially Amending the Regulation for Enforcement of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act
出入国管理及び難民認定法施行規則の一部を改正する省令
14 June 2026
Ministerial Order Partially Amending the Regulation for Enforcement of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act and the Regulation for Enforcement of the Special Act on the Immigration Control of, inter alia, those who have lost Japanese Nationality pursuant to the Treaty of Peace with Japan
出入国管理及び難民認定法施行規則及び日本国との平和条約に基づき日本の国籍を離脱した者等の出入国管理に関する特例法施行規則の一部を改正する省令
21 May 2026
Ministerial Order Partially Amending the Regulation for Enforcement of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act
出入国管理及び難民認定法施行規則の一部を改正する省令
1 April 2026
Ministerial Order Partially Amending the Regulation for Enforcement of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act
出入国管理及び難民認定法施行規則の一部を改正する省令
31 March 2026
Ministerial Order Partially Amending the Regulation for Enforcement of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act
出入国管理及び難民認定法施行規則の一部を改正する省令
16 October 2025
Ministerial Order Partially Amending the Regulation for Enforcement of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act
出入国管理及び難民認定法施行規則の一部を改正する省令
30 September 2025
Ministerial Order Partially Amending the Regulation for Enforcement of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act and the Ministerial Order to Provide for the Criteria Pursuant to Article 7, Paragraph (1), Item (ii) of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act
出入国管理及び難民認定法施行規則及び出入国管理及び難民認定法第七条第一項第二号の基準を定める省令の一部を改正する省令
30 September 2025
Ministerial Order on the Arrangement of Ministry of Justice Orders and on Transitional Measures upon the Enforcement of the Act Partially Amending the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act and the Act on Proper Technical Intern Training and Protection of Technical Intern Trainees
出入国管理及び難民認定法及び外国人の技能実習の適正な実施及び技能実習生の保護に関する法律の一部を改正する法律の施行に伴う法務省令の整備及び経過措置に関する省令
5 September 2025
Ministerial Order Partially Amending the Regulation for Enforcement of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act
出入国管理及び難民認定法施行規則の一部を改正する省令
1 June 2025
Ministerial Order Partially Amending the Regulation for Enforcement of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act
出入国管理及び難民認定法施行規則の一部を改正する省令
1 June 2025
Ministerial Order Partially Amending the Regulation for Enforcement of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act
出入国管理及び難民認定法施行規則の一部を改正する省令
29 May 2025
Ministerial Order Partially Amending the Regulation for Enforcement of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act
出入国管理及び難民認定法施行規則の一部を改正する省令
15 May 2025
Ministerial Order Partially Amending the Regulation for Enforcement of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act
出入国管理及び難民認定法施行規則の一部を改正する省令
1 April 2025
Ministerial Order Partially Amending the Regulation for Enforcement of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act
出入国管理及び難民認定法施行規則の一部を改正する省令
1 April 2025
Ministerial Order Partially Amending the Regulation for Enforcement of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act
出入国管理及び難民認定法施行規則の一部を改正する省令
1 April 2025
Ministerial Order Partially Amending the Regulation for Enforcement of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act
出入国管理及び難民認定法施行規則の一部を改正する省令
10 June 2024
Ministerial Order on the Arrangement, etc. of Ministerial Orders Related to the Ministry of Justice upon the Enforcement of the Act Partially Amending the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act and the Special Act on the Immigration Control of, Inter Alia, Those Who Have Lost Japanese Nationality Pursuant to the Treaty of Peace with Japan
出入国管理及び難民認定法及び日本国との平和条約に基づき日本の国籍を離脱した者等の出入国管理に関する特例法の一部を改正する法律の施行に伴う法務省関係省令の整備等に関する省令
26 April 2024
Ministerial Order Partially Amending the Regulation for Enforcement of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act
出入国管理及び難民認定法施行規則の一部を改正する省令
22 April 2024
Ministerial Order Partially Amending the Regulation for Enforcement of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act
出入国管理及び難民認定法施行規則の一部を改正する省令
31 March 2024
Ministerial Order Partially Amending the Regulation for Enforcement of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act
出入国管理及び難民認定法施行規則の一部を改正する省令
1 December 2023
Ministerial Order Partially Amending the Regulation for Enforcement of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act
出入国管理及び難民認定法施行規則の一部を改正する省令
1 November 2023
Ministerial Order Partially Amending the Regulation for Enforcement of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act and the Regulation for Enforcement of the Special Act on the Immigration Control of, inter alia, those who have lost Japanese Nationality pursuant to the Treaty of Peace with Japan
出入国管理及び難民認定法施行規則及び日本国との平和条約に基づき日本の国籍を離脱した者等の出入国管理に関する特例法施行規則の一部を改正する省令
1 August 2023
Ministerial Order Partially Amending the Regulation for Enforcement of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act
出入国管理及び難民認定法施行規則の一部を改正する省令
21 April 2023
Ministerial Order Partially Amending the Ministerial Order to Provide for the Criteria in the Right-Hand Column Corresponding to "Highly Skilled Professional" as Specified in the Appended Table I (2) of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act and the Regulation for Enforcement of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act
出入国管理及び難民認定法別表第一の二の表の高度専門職の項の下欄の基準を定める省令及び出入国管理及び難民認定法施行規則の一部を改正する省令
20 April 2023
Ministerial Order Partially Amending the Regulation for Enforcement of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act
出入国管理及び難民認定法施行規則の一部を改正する省令
31 March 2023
Ministerial Order Partially Amending the Regulation for Enforcement of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act and the Ministerial Order to Provide for the Criteria in the Right-Hand Column Corresponding to "Highly Skilled Professional" as Specified in the Appended Table I (2) of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act
出入国管理及び難民認定法施行規則及び出入国管理及び難民認定法別表第一の二の表の高度専門職の項の下欄の基準を定める省令の一部を改正する省令
27 March 2023
Ministerial Order Partially Amending the Regulation for Enforcement of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act and the Regulation for Enforcement of the Special Act on the Immigration Control of, inter alia, those who have lost Japanese Nationality pursuant to the Treaty of Peace with Japan
出入国管理及び難民認定法施行規則及び日本国との平和条約に基づき日本の国籍を離脱した者等の出入国管理に関する特例法施行規則の一部を改正する省令
17 March 2023
Ministerial Order Partially Amending the Regulation for Enforcement of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act
出入国管理及び難民認定法施行規則の一部を改正する省令
31 December 2022
Ministerial Order Partially Amending the Regulation for Enforcement of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act
出入国管理及び難民認定法施行規則の一部を改正する省令
16 March 2022
Ministerial Order Partially Amending the Regulation for Enforcement of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act
出入国管理及び難民認定法施行規則の一部を改正する省令
15 March 2022
Ministerial Order Partially Amending the Regulation for Enforcement of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act
出入国管理及び難民認定法施行規則の一部を改正する省令
9 March 2022
Ministerial Order Partially Amending the Regulation for Enforcement of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act
出入国管理及び難民認定法施行規則の一部を改正する省令
30 June 2021
Ministerial Order Partially Amending the Regulation for Enforcement of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act
出入国管理及び難民認定法施行規則の一部を改正する省令
26 April 2021
Ministerial Order Partially Amending the Regulation for Enforcement of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act
出入国管理及び難民認定法施行規則の一部を改正する省令
1 April 2021
Ministerial Order Partially Amending the Regulation for Enforcement of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act
出入国管理及び難民認定法施行規則の一部を改正する省令
30 March 2021
Ministerial Order Partially Amending the Regulation for Enforcement of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act
出入国管理及び難民認定法施行規則の一部を改正する省令
10 March 2021
Ministerial Order Partially Amending the Regulation for Enforcement of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act
出入国管理及び難民認定法施行規則の一部を改正する省令
9 March 2021
Ministerial Order Partially Amending the Ministerial Order on the Arrangement, etc. of Ministerial Orders Related to the Ministry of Justice upon the Enforcement of the Act Partially Amending the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act and the Act for Establishment of the Ministry of Justice
出入国管理及び難民認定法及び法務省設置法の一部を改正する法律の施行に伴う法務省関係省令の整備等に関する省令の一部を改正する省令
26 February 2021
Ministerial Order Partially Amending the Regulation for Enforcement of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act
出入国管理及び難民認定法施行規則の一部を改正する省令
28 December 2020
Ministerial Order Partially Amending the Regulation for Enforcement of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, etc.
出入国管理及び難民認定法施行規則等の一部を改正する省令
29 May 2020
Ministerial Order Partially Amending the Regulation for Enforcement of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act
出入国管理及び難民認定法施行規則の一部を改正する省令
1 April 2020
Ministerial Order Partially Amending the Regulation for Enforcement of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act
出入国管理及び難民認定法施行規則の一部を改正する省令
31 March 2020
Ministerial Order Partially Amending the Regulation for Enforcement of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act
出入国管理及び難民認定法施行規則の一部を改正する省令
24 March 2020
Ministerial Order Partially Amending the Regulation for Enforcement of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act
出入国管理及び難民認定法施行規則の一部を改正する省令
17 March 2020
Ministerial Order Partially Amending the Regulation for Enforcement of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act
出入国管理及び難民認定法施行規則の一部を改正する省令
16 March 2020
Ministerial Order Partially Amending the Regulation for Enforcement of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act
出入国管理及び難民認定法施行規則の一部を改正する省令
16 December 2019
Ministerial Order Partially Amending the Regulation for Enforcement of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act
出入国管理及び難民認定法施行規則の一部を改正する省令
14 September 2019
Ministerial Order Partially Amending the Regulation for Enforcement of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act
出入国管理及び難民認定法施行規則の一部を改正する省令
25 July 2019
Ministerial Order Partially Amending the Regulation for Enforcement of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act
出入国管理及び難民認定法施行規則の一部を改正する省令
24 July 2019
Ministerial Order Partially Amending the Regulation for Enforcement of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act
出入国管理及び難民認定法施行規則の一部を改正する省令
1 July 2019
Ministerial Order Partially Amending the Regulation for Enforcement of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, etc.
出入国管理及び難民認定法施行規則等の一部を改正する省令
26 June 2019
Ministerial Order Partially Amending the Regulation for Enforcement of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act
出入国管理及び難民認定法施行規則の一部を改正する省令
26 April 2019
Ministerial Order Partially Amending the Regulation for Enforcement of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act
出入国管理及び難民認定法施行規則の一部を改正する省令
1 April 2019
Ministerial Order on the Arrangement, etc. of Ministerial Orders Related to the Ministry of Justice upon the Enforcement of the Act Partially Amending the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act and the Act for Establishment of the Ministry of Justice
出入国管理及び難民認定法及び法務省設置法の一部を改正する法律の施行に伴う法務省関係省令の整備等に関する省令
1 April 2019
Ministerial Order Partially Amending the Regulation for Enforcement of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act
出入国管理及び難民認定法施行規則の一部を改正する省令
28 December 2018
Ministerial Order Partially Amending the Regulation for Enforcement of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act
出入国管理及び難民認定法施行規則の一部を改正する省令
3 October 2018
Ministerial Order Partially Amending the Regulation for Enforcement of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act
出入国管理及び難民認定法施行規則の一部を改正する省令
4 September 2018
Ministerial Order Partially Amending the Regulation for Enforcement of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act
出入国管理及び難民認定法施行規則の一部を改正する省令
6 July 2018
Ministerial Order Partially Amending the Regulation for Enforcement of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act
出入国管理及び難民認定法施行規則の一部を改正する省令
23 April 2018
Ministerial Order Partially Amending the Regulation for Enforcement of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act
出入国管理及び難民認定法施行規則の一部を改正する省令
1 November 2017
Ministerial Order Partially Amending the Regulation for Enforcement of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, etc., and Other Matters
出入国管理及び難民認定法施行規則等の一部を改正する等の省令
18 October 2017
Ministerial Order Partially Amending the Regulation for Enforcement of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act
出入国管理及び難民認定法施行規則の一部を改正する省令
1 September 2017
Ministerial Order Partially Amending the Regulation for Enforcement of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, etc., and Other Matters
出入国管理及び難民認定法施行規則等の一部を改正する等の省令
1 August 2017
Ministerial Order Partially Amending the Regulation for Enforcement of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act
出入国管理及び難民認定法施行規則の一部を改正する省令
6 June 2017
e-Gov gives no title for this amendment
1 June 2017
e-Gov gives no title for this amendment
1 June 2017
e-Gov gives no title for this amendment
1 June 2017
e-Gov gives no title for this amendment
1 January 2017
e-Gov gives no title for this amendment
Who it applies to
It applies to
- Foreign nationals entering, staying in and leaving Japan: it sets the forms, documents, photographs, fingerprints and in-person appearances their landing, applications and reports take.(Art. 5(1), Art. 5(8), Art. 20(1), Art. 19(1), Art. 19-15(2), Art. 29(1)) (the provisions it rests on)
- Japanese nationals leaving and returning: departure and return are confirmed by a stamp in the passport, which the inspector may replace with an electronic record where they show their passport and give a face photograph electronically, or have registered in advance and give their fingerprints, and one returning without a passport is given a certificate of return.(Art. 53(1), Art. 53(2), Art. 54(1), Art. 54(2), Art. 54-2(1)) (the provisions it rests on)
5 more
- Organizations that accept foreign residents: one accepting mid- to long-term residents on Professor, Highly Skilled Professional, Business Manager, Legal/Accounting Services, Medical Services, Researcher, Instructor, Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services, Intra-company Transferee, Nursing Care, Entertainer, Skilled Labor, Student or Trainee status — other than an employer that notifies under Article 28(1) of the Act on the Comprehensive Promotion of Labor Policies (労働施策総合推進法), a separate Act — files the report the Act asks it to try to make within 14 days of starting or ending their acceptance, and for Students also as of 1 May and 1 November. An employer of Specified Skilled Workers reports within 14 days a change, end or new signing of a worker's employment contract, a change to the support plan, the signing, change or end of a contract entrusting support to a registered support organization, difficulty in continuing to accept a worker, or learning that it no longer meets the standards the Specified Skilled Worker standards Order sets, and each year by 31 May reports on the workers it accepted in the year from April to March, their pay among it, with proof that it meets the standards, such as complying with labor, social insurance and tax laws. A registered support organization (登録支援機関) reports changes and any suspension or ending of its support work within 14 days, reports each year by 31 May, through the employer, on the support it gave, and reports within 14 days if carrying out an entrusted support plan becomes difficult or the employer stops meeting the standards.(Art. 19-16(1), Art. 19-16(2), Appended Table 3-4, Art. 19-17(1), Art. 19-17(2), Appended Table 3-5, Art. 19-18(2), Art. 19-18(3), Art. 19-22(1), Art. 19-23(1), Art. 19-24(1), Art. 19-24-2(1), Appended Table 3-6, Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act Art. 19-17(1), Art. 19-17(6), Art. 19-23(1)) (the provisions it rests on)
- Until 31 March 2027: Bodies seeking registration as a registered support organization (登録支援機関), which carries out support plans for Specified Skilled Workers (i) for their employers: registration is refused if, among other things, a foreign national went missing in the past year through the body's fault, it has not appointed a support manager and at least one support staff member for each office, it cannot give information and handle consultations in a language the worker fully understands or hold regular interviews, it will not keep records of its support for a year after the worker's contract ends, or it would make the worker bear the cost of support, directly or indirectly. It must also have properly accepted or managed foreign residents on working statuses in the past two years, have done paid consultation work for foreign residents in that time, have a support manager and staff with two years' experience of such consultation within the past five, or be recognised by the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency as equally able.(Art. 19-21(1), Art. 19-21(1)(i), Art. 19-21(1)(ii), Art. 19-21(1)(iii), Art. 19-21(1)(iv), Art. 19-21(1)(v), Art. 19-21(1)(vii)) (the provisions it rests on)
- From 1 April 2027: Bodies seeking registration as a registered support organization (登録支援機関), which carries out support plans for Specified Skilled Workers (i) for their employers: registration is refused if, among other things, a foreign national went missing in the past year through the body's fault; it has not appointed from its full-time staff, for each office, a support manager and support staff numbering at least one and more than one for every 50 workers it supports or every 10 employers it serves, whichever figure is larger; it cannot inform and advise workers in a language they fully understand; or it would make the worker bear the cost of support, let anyone else give the support, subcontract the work, or fail to publish its record and its costs online. It must also have properly accepted or managed foreign residents on working statuses for at least a year within the past five years, have done paid consultation work for foreign residents in the past two, have a support manager and staff with two years' experience of such consultation within the past five, or be recognised by the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency as equally able. An application made before 1 April 2027 is decided under the old rules — for a renewal, only where the registration ends by 31 July 2027 — and a registration granted on such an application keeps the old rules until it expires; a renewal must otherwise be applied for at least 4 months before the registration ends.(Art. 19-21(1), Art. 19-21(1)(i), Art. 19-21(1)(ii), Art. 19-21(1)(iii), Art. 19-21(1)(iv), Art. 19-21(1)(v), Art. 19-21(1)(viii), Art. 19-21(1)(x), Art. 19-21(1)(xi), Art. 19-21(1)(xii), Suppl. Prov. Art. 4(1), Suppl. Prov. Art. 4(2), Art. 19-19(1)) (the provisions it rests on)
- Captains and carriers of ships and aircraft coming to Japan: they tell the immigration inspector at the port in advance of the arrival time and the numbers of foreign passengers and crew — a ship at least 24 hours before arrival, an aircraft at least 90 minutes before — and report arrival and departure. They report the names, nationalities, dates of birth and passport numbers of passengers and crew — an aircraft within 30 minutes of leaving its foreign airport, a ship 2 hours before arrival, with other deadlines for ships from listed nearby waters and for non-scheduled flights — electronically through the system a separate Act on import and export procedures sets up, unless that is impossible. Airlines hand over booking records, such as payment and seat details and the itinerary, within 60 minutes of an inspector's request; not reporting, or reporting falsely, brings a non-criminal fine (過料) of up to 500,000 yen.(Art. 51(1), Art. 52(1), Art. 52(2), Art. 52(7), Art. 52(8), Art. 52(9), Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act Art. 77(1)(ii)) (the provisions it rests on)
- Supervisors (監理人) overseeing a person under supervision measures: they report to the supervising immigration inspector, in writing or another way the inspector accepts, within 7 days of any event the Act lists or of learning of it — including a change of their own name or contact details, or the end of a family or employment relationship with the person — report in writing, when asked, on how they guide and help the person, and should try to give 30 days' notice before resigning; not reporting, or reporting falsely, brings a non-criminal fine (過料) of up to 100,000 yen.(Art. 36-3(1), Art. 36-3(4), Art. 36-4(2), Art. 36-4(3), Art. 36-5(2), Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act Art. 77-2(1)(ii), Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act Art. 77-2(1)(iii)) (the provisions it rests on)
Special rules and exceptions (9)
- Some payments do not count as the paid activity the Act restricts: fees, prizes and similar rewards for lectures, advice, writing, art, photography or software, or for taking part in events or appearing in films or broadcasts, when not done as a business; thanks for helping relatives, friends or acquaintances with their housework, not as a business; and pay a university or technical college (fourth year and above) gives a Student for helping with its teaching or research, unless they study only Japanese.(Art. 19-3(1), Art. 19-3(1)(i), Art. 19-3(1)(ii), Art. 19-3(1)(iii), Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act Art. 19(1)(i)) (the provisions it rests on)
- A change of status to, or an extension of, Specified Skilled Worker (i) is refused once the time spent in Japan on that status adds up to five years — six where there is a reasonable ground for staying longer — not counting time the person could not work because of pregnancy, childbirth, childcare or other unavoidable circumstances.(Art. 20-2(1), Art. 21-2(1)) (the provisions it rests on)
- Besides those the Act names, people on Designated Activities who are staff of the office in Japan of the Taiwan–Japan Relations Association or of the General Mission of Palestine in Japan, or of their households, and people on Designated Activities who work remotely through information and communications technology for a foreign employer, or sell services or goods to people abroad (other than what can only be supplied by entering Japan), and their dependent spouses and children, are not mid- to long-term residents and get no residence card.(Art. 19-5(1), Art. 19-5(1)(i), Art. 19-5(1)(ii), Art. 19-5(1)(iii), Art. 19-5(1)(iv), Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act Art. 19-3(1)(iv)) (the provisions it rests on)
- On landing, a foreign national submits the embarkation card (Form 6, or Form 6-2 for a holder of a re-entry permit or refugee travel document) or, unless they hold one of those, gives the same details electronically, shows their passport, and gives the fingerprints of both index fingers (another finger where that is impossible) and a face photograph electronically; for someone under 16 or unable through illness, an accompanying parent, spouse, child, relative or guardian may apply. Besides those the Act exempts, fingerprints and a photograph are not taken from staff of the office in Japan of the Taiwan–Japan Relations Association or the General Mission of Palestine in Japan and their households, people the Minister for Foreign Affairs vouches for on diplomatic grounds, and students of Japanese high schools and similar schools on a school trip abroad that is part of their curriculum, where the Minister of Justice has been notified that the school head vouches for them.(Art. 5(1), Art. 5(3), Art. 5(4), Art. 5(8), Art. 5(10), Art. 5(11), Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act Art. 6(3)) (the provisions it rests on)
- A resident with a valid passport, other than someone on Temporary Visitor status or with a period of stay of 3 months or less, who wants to leave on special re-entry permission (みなし再入国許可) says so on Form 37-19 handed to the immigration inspector and, if a mid- to long-term resident, shows their residence card; the permission lasts one year from departure, or until the period of stay ends if sooner, and a re-entry permit (再入国許可) is otherwise applied for in person at a regional immigration services bureau on Form 40, which a travel agent the director approves may file for them. Special re-entry is not open to someone sent notice of a hearing on revoking their status (unless later told it will not be revoked), someone an inspector has been notified may have departure confirmation held back, someone under a detention order or supervision measures, someone on Designated Activities as a refugee or complementary-protection applicant or appellant, or someone the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency finds needs a re-entry permit, for example because they may harm Japan's interests or public safety.(Art. 29-2(1), Art. 29-2(2), Art. 29(1), Art. 29(5), Art. 29-4(1), Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act Art. 26-2(1), Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act Art. 26-2(2)) (the provisions it rests on)
- Where the director of the regional immigration services bureau finds it appropriate, a foreign national need not appear in person to apply for a change of status, an extension, permanent residence, permission for work outside their status or re-entry permission: an approved staff member of the organization that employs them, teaches them or whose business they run, an attorney or administrative scrivener (行政書士) who has notified the bureau through their association, or their legal representative may file for them. The same holds for renewing or replacing a residence card and reporting a change of name or nationality, and where the person is under 16 or ill, a relative or housemate the director approves may act for them.(Art. 19(3), Art. 29(3), Art. 59-4(2), Art. 59-4(4), Appended Table 7, Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act Art. 61-8-3(1)) (the provisions it rests on)
- Until 30 September 2026: Online filing is open for Certificates of Eligibility (not for Diplomat), for changes of status, extensions, acquisitions of status and certificates of authorization for employment (就労資格証明書) — none of them for Diplomat or Temporary Visitor — for permission for work outside one's status or re-entry permission filed together with a change, extension or acquisition, and for reports: a mid- to long-term resident's own report on a change of organization, organizations' reports on the residents they accept, and carriers' reports. Besides the foreign national in Japan, their legal representative, approved staff of the accepting organization, and attorneys or administrative scriveners may file online for them, and a change, extension or acquisition filed online needs no appearance in person. Fees are paid with revenue stamps (収入印紙) on the fee form.(Art. 61-3(1), Art. 61-3(4), Art. 61-3(5), Art. 59-4(4)(iv), Art. 61(2), Art. 61-3(1)(i), Art. 61-3(1)(ii)) (the provisions it rests on)
- From 1 October 2026: Online filing is open for Certificates of Eligibility (not for Diplomat), for changes of status, extensions, acquisitions of status and certificates of authorization for employment (就労資格証明書) — none of them for Diplomat or Temporary Visitor — for permission for work outside one's status or re-entry permission filed together with a change, extension or acquisition, and for reports: a mid- to long-term resident's own report on a change of organization, organizations' reports on the residents they accept, and carriers' reports. Besides the foreign national in Japan, their legal representative, approved staff of the accepting organization, and attorneys or administrative scriveners may file online for them, and a change, extension or acquisition filed online needs no appearance in person. Fees are paid with revenue stamps (収入印紙) on the fee form, except that for the permissions and certificates a Cabinet Order lists, applied for online, the fee is paid online through a business the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency approves, unless a system failure prevents it — though a change, extension, re-entry permission or certificate of authorization applied for before 1 October 2026 is paid for the old way.(Art. 64(1), Art. 64(4), Art. 64(5), Art. 59-4(4)(iv), Art. 62(2), Art. 62(3), Art. 62(4), Suppl. Prov. Art. 2(1), Art. 64(1)(i), Art. 64(1)(ii)) (the provisions it rests on)
- Landing permissions granted without a status of residence carry these limits: up to 72 hours for landing at a port of call (寄港地上陸); up to 7 days, or up to 30 days where the cruise calls at two or more Japanese ports, for cruise-ship tourists (船舶観光上陸); up to 15 days for passengers crossing Japan to rejoin their ship, or 3 days to change to another ship or aircraft (通過上陸); 7 or 15 days for crew members (乗員上陸); up to 30 days after a disaster at sea (遭難による上陸); and up to 6 months for temporary refuge (一時庇護), at a residence the inspector designates. The inspector may attach other conditions, such as a ban on paid activity and limits on where the person may go. A person given provisional landing (仮上陸) while their landing is examined may be asked for a deposit of up to 2 million yen (1 million yen for a minor).(Art. 13(5), Art. 13-2(4), Art. 14(5), Art. 14(6), Art. 15(3), Art. 17(4), Art. 18(5), Art. 12(3)) (the provisions it rests on)
How it is enforced (12)
- Its duties are enforced through the penalties in Chapter 9 of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act. Failing to make the report on a change of organization is punishable by a fine of up to 200,000 yen, and a false report by imprisonment (拘禁刑) of up to one year or a fine of up to 200,000 yen. An employer of Specified Skilled Workers that does not file a report it must make faces, depending on the report, a fine of up to 300,000 yen or a non-criminal fine (過料) of up to 100,000 yen.(Art. 19-15(2), Art. 19-17(2), Art. 19-18(3), Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act Chapter 9, Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act Art. 71-5(1)(iii), Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act Art. 71-2(1)(i), Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act Art. 71-4(1)(i), Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act Art. 77-2(1)(i)) (the provisions it rests on)
- Until 30 September 2026: Most decisions the Act gives the Minister of Justice or the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency — among them Certificates of Eligibility, changes of status, extensions, permanent residence, revocation of status, special permission to stay, refugee recognition, permission for work outside one's status and re-entry permission — are passed on to the directors of the regional immigration services bureaus. The Minister's powers may still be used by the Minister or the Commissioner; of the Commissioner's own powers the Commissioner keeps some, but not permission for work outside one's status or re-entry permission.(Art. 61-2(1), Art. 61-2(2), Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act Art. 69-2(2)) (the provisions it rests on)
- From 1 October 2026: Most decisions the Act gives the Minister of Justice or the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency — among them Certificates of Eligibility, changes of status, extensions, permanent residence, revocation of status, special permission to stay, refugee recognition, permission for work outside one's status and re-entry permission — are passed on to the directors of the regional immigration services bureaus. The Minister's powers may still be used by the Minister or the Commissioner; of the Commissioner's own powers the Commissioner keeps some, but not permission for work outside one's status or re-entry permission.(Art. 63(1), Art. 63(2), Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act Art. 69-2(2)) (the provisions it rests on)
- Besides immigration inspectors, immigration control officers, police officers and coast guard officers, the officials who may ask a foreign national to show their passport or residence card while on duty are customs officers, public security intelligence officers, narcotics control officers, municipal staff handling foreign residents' resident records, and staff of Public Employment Security Offices (公共職業安定所).(Art. 26(1), Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act Art. 23(3)) (the provisions it rests on)
- Before the Minister of Justice revokes a status of residence (在留資格の取消し), the person is sent a notice leaving reasonable time before the hearing, which an immigration inspector the Minister designates holds — though notice can be given on the spot where the facts come to light while the person is still at the customs inspection area right after landing, and orally when urgent. At the first hearing the inspector explains the facts said to justify revocation; the person, or a representative they appoint, may state opinions, submit evidence, question the inspector and ask to see the investigation records, which may be refused only to protect a third party or for another justifiable reason, and the date or place can be changed for unavoidable reasons. Where the Minister gives the person a period to leave Japan, their residence is designated, their movement is limited to its prefecture and the route to their port of departure, and business with income or paid work is barred.(Art. 25-2(1), Art. 25-3(2), Art. 25-4(1), Art. 25-6(1), Art. 25-9(1), Art. 25-9(2), Art. 25-12(1), Art. 25-13(2), Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act Art. 22-4(3)) (the provisions it rests on)
- In deportation proceedings, an objection to the Minister of Justice against a special inquiry officer's (特別審理官) decision is lodged within 3 days of being notified of it and must come with material showing a breach of law in the procedure, an error in applying the law, or a mistaken finding of fact that clearly affected the decision. An application for special permission to stay (在留特別許可) is made in person at a regional immigration services bureau on Form 61-4 with material showing a ground the Act lists — a parent, spouse, child or other relative may apply for someone under 16 or unable to because of illness — and the permission may come with conditions such as limits on activities. A person being deported who has been allowed to leave on their own, at their own expense, and has never before been deported or left under a departure order may apply in person on Form 64-3 for the period they will be refused landing to be one year — except for coming back as a Temporary Visitor — and must then leave by a date the supervising immigration inspector (主任審査官) sets within 7 days after their planned departure date.(Art. 42(1), Art. 44(2), Art. 44(4), Art. 44(7), Art. 47-3(1), Art. 47-3(3), Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act Art. 52(5), Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act Art. 52(4), Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act Art. 49(1)) (the provisions it rests on)
- A person placed under supervision measures (監理措置) instead of detention lives at a residence the supervising immigration inspector designates, stays within its prefecture unless the inspector allows otherwise, appears when summoned and follows the inspector's other conditions — after a deportation order, including a ban on working. Any deposit is up to 3 million yen (1.5 million yen for a minor), paid by a day the inspector sets within 3 days, and the person reports on their living situation and contact with their supervisor (監理人) by a date the inspector sets, no more than 3 months after the last report — not reporting, or reporting falsely, is punishable by a fine of up to 200,000 yen. Permission to work while under supervision measures before a deportation order is applied for in person at a regional immigration services bureau on Form 51-8, with proof that the work is needed to support themselves and pays no more than that needs.(Art. 36-2(1), Art. 36-2(2), Art. 36-2(4), Art. 36-2(6), Art. 36-7(1), Art. 36-8(1), Art. 36-8(2), Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act Art. 44-5(1), Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act Art. 71-5(1)(iv)) (the provisions it rests on)
- Provisional release (仮放免) from detention is applied for on Form 66 with material showing why it is needed, and is granted for up to 3 months at a time; an extension is applied for on Form 69 before the period ends. The person released lives where the director of the detention centre or the supervising immigration inspector designates, stays within its prefecture unless allowed otherwise, appears when summoned, and may not run a business with income or do paid work, among other conditions.(Art. 49(1), Art. 49(2), Art. 49(3), Art. 49(7), Art. 48(1)) (the provisions it rests on)
- A foreign national who wants to leave under a departure order (出国命令) rather than be deported comes forward to an immigration office during office hours on a working day, before any violation investigation starts, and is given a written confirmation that they came. The order's conditions designate where they live until departure, limit their movement to its prefecture and the route to their port of departure, and bar paid work and other activities not needed to leave; the deadline can be extended by applying in person at the issuing office before it runs out.(Art. 50-50(1), Art. 50-50(2), Art. 50-52(1), Art. 50-54(1)) (the provisions it rests on)
- For people held in immigration detention facilities, meals, sleep, outdoor exercise and bathing are set within fixed hours — breakfast between 7 and 9 a.m., at least 8 hours in a row for sleep between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. — with at least 30 minutes of exercise a day and a bath as far as possible every day, subject to exceptions for order in the facility. Where visits are limited, the limit may not go below 3 visitors (fewer only where the building makes it unavoidable), 4 hours a day (less only where order would suffer) or 30 minutes a visit (5 minutes where unavoidable), and visits take place across a partition unless, for example, the visitor is a consul or the detainee's child and there is no risk to order. Two inspection committees for the detention facilities, for East and West Japan, sit at the Tokyo and Osaka regional immigration services bureaus.(Art. 50-10(1), Art. 50-19(2), Art. 50-20(1), Art. 50-33(1), Art. 50-34(2), Art. 50-36(1), Art. 50-37(1), Art. 50-4(1), Appended Table 6) (the provisions it rests on)
- An application for recognition of refugee status (難民の認定) or as eligible for complementary protection (補完的保護対象者) is made in person at a regional immigration services bureau on Form 74 (Form 74-2 after an earlier refusal), with material showing the grounds and two photographs (three for someone without a status of residence); a person unable to write may state the contents orally, and a parent, spouse, child or other relative may apply for someone under 16 or unable to come because of illness. A person given permission for provisional stay (仮滞在) is given up to 6 months at a time, lives at a residence the Minister of Justice designates, stays within its prefecture unless allowed otherwise and appears when summoned. A request for review (審査請求) of a refusal is heard by three refugee examination counsellors (難民審査参与員) the Minister designates, none of whom may have been involved in the decision or be connected with the applicant.(Art. 55(1), Art. 55(2), Art. 55(4), Art. 55(5), Art. 56-2(2), Art. 56-2(3), Art. 58-2(1), Art. 58-3(1)) (the provisions it rests on)
- Where a report by a member of the public leads to a written deportation order, the reward the Act lets the Minister of Justice pay the person who reported is 1,000 to 50,000 yen per case; none is paid for a report an official makes from facts learned in their work.(Art. 60(1), Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act Art. 66(1)) (the provisions it rests on)
How it connects to other laws
It also names 38 laws not yet held here.
Where the translation comes from
- 748
- 1,100
- 41not translated
The Ministry of Justice's translation is shown only where the Japanese it translates matches the law in force today. Everywhere else the English is a machine translation, marked on the paragraph itself.
Only the Japanese is the law, and no lawyer has reviewed the machine translation.
Sources
Everything this page rests on
- e-Gov (Digital Agency)出入国管理及び難民認定法施行規則 — the text in force from 2026-09-01Original
- e-Gov (Digital Agency)出入国管理及び難民認定法施行規則 — revision historyOriginal
- Japanese Law Translation, Ministry of JusticeRegulation for Enforcement of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act — Ministry of Justice translationOriginal
- Machine translation, not official
- Written for this site with AIEnglish titles of amending laws, written for this site
- Written for this site with AIDescriptions of each law, written for this site
- Written for this site with AICorrections to the Ministry of Justice's English of paragraphs
- Written for this site with AICorrections to the Ministry of Justice's English of article captions
- Worked out by this site from e-Gov's text