Article 20Change of Status of Residence
第二十条（在留資格の変更）
A foreign national who seeks to file an application for the change of status of residence pursuant to the provisions of Article 20, paragraph (2) of the Act must submit a copy of the written application pursuant to the Appended Form No. 30.
In filing the application set forth in the preceding paragraph, the foreign national must submit a photograph, a copy of each of the materials listed in the right-hand column of the Appended Table III in accordance with the status of residence listed in the left-hand column of the same Table, and a copy of each of any other materials to be used as a reference; provided, however, that this does not apply if the director of the regional immigration services bureau finds that there is no risk of causing hindrance if submission of all or some of the materials are omitted.
The submission of a photograph is not required if the application set forth in paragraph (1) pertains to the following persons, notwithstanding the provisions of the main clause of the preceding paragraph; provided however that this does not apply to cases where the director of a regional immigration services bureau requires its submission:
a person who is under one year of age;
一歳に満たない者
a person who wishes to be subject to a decision for a period of stay of three months or less;
三月以下の在留期間の決定を受けることを希望する者
a person who wishes to change their status of residence to that of "Temporary Visitor";
短期滞在の在留資格への変更を希望する者
a person who wishes to change their status of residence to that of "Diplomat" or "Official"; or
外交又は公用の在留資格への変更を希望する者
a person who wishes to change their status of residence to that of "Designated Activities" and wishes the designation of any of the following activities as activities that are specifically designated by the Minister of Justice for individual foreign nationals:
特定活動の在留資格への変更を希望する者で法務大臣が個々の外国人について特に指定する活動として次のいずれかの活動の指定を希望するもの
activities as a staff member of the Japanese office of the Taiwan-Japan Relations Association or as a family member thereof who belongs to the same household; or.
台湾日本関係協会の本邦の事務所の職員又は当該職員と同一の世帯に属する家族の構成員としての活動
activities as a staff member of the Permanent General Mission of Palestine in Japan or as a family member thereof who belongs to the same household.
駐日パレスチナ総代表部の職員又は当該職員と同一の世帯に属する家族の構成員としての活動
activities, based on an employment contract with a corporation established in accordance with the laws and regulations of a foreign country or any other foreign organization, of engaging in Japan in work at a business office of the organization located in a foreign country by using information and communications technology, or activities of providing services for a fee or selling, etc. goods, etc. to a person located in a foreign country by using information and communications technology (excluding those that cannot be provided or sold, etc. without entering Japan); or
外国の法令に準拠して設立された法人その他の外国の団体との雇用契約に基づいて、本邦において情報通信技術を用いて当該団体の外国にある事業所における業務に従事する活動又は外国にある者に対し、情報通信技術を用いて役務を有償で提供し、若しくは物品等を販売等する活動（本邦に入国しなければ提供又は販売等できないものを除く。）
daily activities as a spouse or child supported by a person residing with the activities listed in sub-item (c) designated.
ハに掲げる活動を指定されて在留する者の扶養を受ける配偶者又は子として行う日常的な活動
The foreign national must present the documents listed in the following items when filing the application set forth in paragraph (1). In this case, a foreign national who is unable to present their passport or certificate of status of residence must submit a copy of the document stating the reason therefor:
第一項の申請に当たつては、次の各号に掲げる書類を提示しなければならない。この場合において、旅券又は在留資格証明書を提示することができない者にあつては、その理由を記載した書類一通を提出しなければならない。
the passport and residence card in the case of a mid- to long-term resident;
中長期在留者にあつては、旅券及び在留カード
the passport or certificate of status of residence in the case of persons other than mid- to long-term residents; and
中長期在留者以外の者にあつては、旅券又は在留資格証明書
the permit to engage in an activity other than that permitted under the status of residence previously granted in the case of persons who have been issued with a permit to engage in an activity other than that permitted under the status of residence previously granted pursuant to the provisions of Article 19, paragraph (4).
第十九条第四項の規定による資格外活動許可書の交付を受けている者にあつては、当該資格外活動許可書
If a mid- to long-term resident has filed the application set forth in paragraph (1), an indication is to be made to the effect that an application has been filed pursuant to the provisions of Article 20, paragraph (2) of the Act on the residence card which the mid- to long-term resident possesses.
The entry of a new status of residence and period of stay in the passport or the certificate of status of residence as prescribed in Article 20, paragraph (4), items (ii) and (iii) of the Act is to be made by affixing the seal of verification pursuant to the Appended Form No. 31 or No. 31-2.
法第二十条第四項第二号及び第三号に規定する旅券又は在留資格証明書への新たな在留資格及び在留期間の記載は、別記第三十一号様式又は別記第三十一号の二様式による証印によつて行うものとする。
In permitting a change of the status of residence pursuant to the provisions of Article 20, paragraph (3) of the Act, if permission is granted for a change to the status of residence of "Highly Skilled Professional" (limited to those pertaining to item (i), sub-items (a) through (c) of the right-hand column under "Highly Skilled Professional" of the Appended Table I (2)), a certificate of designation pursuant to the Appended Form No. 31-3 stating the public or private organization in Japan designated by the Minister of Justice is to be delivered, if permission is granted for a change to the status of residence of "Specified Skilled Worker", a certification of designation pursuant to the Appended Form No. 31-4 which states the public and private organizations and the specified industrial fields in Japan designated by the Minister of Justice is to be delivered, and if permission is granted for a change to the status of residence for "Designated Activities," a certificate of designation pursuant to the Appended Form No. 7-4 stating the activities specifically designated by the Minister of Justice for individual foreign nationals is to be delivered.
法第二十条第三項の規定により在留資格の変更の許可をする場合において、高度専門職の在留資格（法別表第一の二の表の高度専門職の項の下欄第一号イからハまでに係るものに限る。）への変更を許可するときは法務大臣が指定する本邦の公私の機関を記載した別記第三十一号の三様式による指定書を交付し、特定技能の在留資格への変更を許可するときは法務大臣が指定する本邦の公私の機関及び特定産業分野を記載した別記第三十一号の四様式による指定書を交付し、特定活動の在留資格への変更を許可するときは法務大臣が個々の外国人について特に指定する活動を記載した別記第七号の四様式による指定書を交付するものとする。
The format of the certificate of status of residence prescribed in Article 20, paragraph (4) of the Act is to follow that of the Appended Form No. 32.
If a disposition is rendered not to grant permission for the application set forth in paragraph (1) filed by a mid- to long-term resident or the application is withdrawn, the indication made on the residence card pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (5) is to be deleted.
第二十条の二（特定技能の在留資格に係る在留資格の変更の特則）
In the case of applying for a change to the status of residence of "Specified Skilled Worker" pursuant to the provisions of Article 20, paragraph (2) of the Act (limited to those pertaining to item (i) of the right-hand column corresponding to "Specified Skilled Worker" of Appended Table I (2) of the Act; the same applies in this Article and Article 21-2), in which the applicant has previously resided in Japan with the same status of residence, if the period of stay with the status of residence (excluding any period during which the applicant was unable to engage in work due to pregnancy, childbirth, childcare or any other unavoidable circumstances) has reached a cumulative total of five years (six years if there are reasonable grounds for staying for more than five years with the status of residence), the reasonable grounds under Article 20, paragraph (3) of the Act is considered not to exist.
Article 21Extension of Period of Stay
第二十一条（在留期間の更新）
A foreign national who seeks to apply for an extension of the period of stay pursuant to the provisions of Article 21, paragraph (2) of the Act must submit a copy of the written application pursuant to the Appended Form No. 30-2 by the date of expiration of the period of stay.
法第二十一条第二項の規定により在留期間の更新を申請しようとする外国人は、在留期間の満了する日までに、別記第三十号の二様式による申請書一通を提出しなければならない。
When filing the application set forth in the preceding paragraph, the foreign national must submit a photograph and a copy of each of the materials listed in the right-hand column of Appended Table III (7) in accordance with the status of residence pertaining to the application listed in the left-hand column of the same Table, and a copy of each of any other materials to be used as reference; provided, however, that this does not apply if the director of the regional immigration services bureau finds that there is no risk of causing hindrance if submission of all or some of the materials is omitted.
The submission of a photograph is not required if the application set forth in paragraph (1) is an application pertaining to the following persons, notwithstanding the provisions of the main clause of the preceding paragraph; provided however that this does not apply to cases in which the director of the regional immigration services bureau requires its submission:
a person who is under one year of age;
一歳に満たない者
a person who is not a mid- to long-term resident; and
中長期在留者でない者
a person who wishes to be subject to a decision for a period of stay of three months or less.
三月以下の在留期間の決定を受けることを希望する者
The provisions of paragraphs (4), (5) and (9) of Article 20 apply mutatis mutandis to the application set forth in paragraph (1). In this case, the term "paragraph (5)" in paragraph (9) of the same Article is deemed to be replaced with "Article 20, paragraph (5), as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 21, paragraph (4)."
The entry of a new period of stay in the passport or the certificate of status of residence as prescribed in Article 20, paragraph (4), items (ii) and (iii), as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 21, paragraph (4) of the Act is to be made by affixing the seal of verification pursuant to the Appended Form No. 33 or No. 33-2.
法第二十一条第四項において準用する法第二十条第四項第二号及び第三号に規定する旅券又は在留資格証明書への新たな在留期間の記載は、別記第三十三号様式又は別記第三十三号の二様式による証印によつて行うものとする。
The format of the certificate of status of residence prescribed in Article 20, paragraph (4), as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 21, paragraph (4) of the Act is to follow that of the Appended Form No. 32.
第二十一条の二（特定技能の在留資格に係る在留期間の更新の特則）
In the case an application filed for extension of the period of stay pursuant to the provisions of Article 21, paragraph (2) of the Act, if the period of stay of the applicant residing in Japan with the status of residence of "Specified Skilled Worker" (excluding any period during which the applicant was unable to engage in work due to pregnancy, childbirth, childcare or any other unavoidable circumstances) has reached a cumulative total of five years (six years if there are reasonable grounds for staying for more than five years with the status of residence), the reasonable grounds under paragraph (3) of the same Article is considered not to exist.
Article 21-3Proposal to Change the Content of the Application
第二十一条の三（申請内容の変更の申出）
If a foreign national who has filed the application set forth in Article 20, paragraph (1) seeks to propose changing the application to an application for the extension of period of stay, they must appear at a regional immigration services bureau and submit a copy of the written proposal pursuant to the Appended Form No. 30-3.
第二十条第一項の申請をした外国人が、当該申請を在留期間の更新の申請に変更することを申し出ようとするときは、別記第三十号の三様式による申出書一通を地方出入国在留管理局に出頭して提出しなければならない。
If the proposal set forth in the preceding paragraph is made, the application set forth in Article 21, paragraph (1) is deemed to have been filed on the day on which the application set forth in Article 20, paragraph (1) pertaining to the proposal was filed.
If the director of the regional immigration services bureau who has received the proposal set forth in paragraph (1) finds it necessary, the director may request the foreign national to submit a photograph and a copy of each of the materials listed in the right-hand column of Appended Table III (7) in accordance with the status of residence pertaining to the application listed in the left-hand column of the same Table, and a copy of each of any other materials to be used as reference.
The provisions of Article 19, paragraph (3), Article 20, paragraph (4) and the preceding Article apply mutatis mutandis to the proposal set forth in paragraph (1). In this case, the term "paragraph (1)" in Article 19, paragraph (3) is deemed to be replaced with "Article 21-3, paragraph (1)" and the term "and carry out the procedures provided for in the preceding paragraph" is deemed to be replaced with "submit the materials provided for in Article 21-3, paragraph (3) and the procedures provided for in Article 20, paragraph (4), as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 21-3, paragraph (4)," respectively.
第十九条第三項、第二十条第四項及び前条の規定は、第一項の申出について準用する。この場合において、第十九条第三項中「第一項」とあるのは「第二十一条の三第一項」と、「及び前項に定める手続」とあるのは「、第二十一条の三第三項に定める資料の提出及び第二十一条の三第四項において準用する第二十条第四項に定める手続」と読み替えるものとする。
Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (1), when the foreign national is unable to appear in person due to disease or for other grounds, the foreign national is not required to appear at the regional immigration services bureau. In this case, a relative of the foreign national, a person living with the foreign national, or an equivalent person whom the director of the regional immigration services bureau finds appropriate may submit the written proposal provided for in paragraph (1) and the materials provided for in paragraph (3), and carry out the procedures provided for in Article 20, paragraph (4), as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to paragraph (4) of this Article on behalf of the foreign national staying in Japan.
If a mid- to long-term resident has made the proposal set forth in paragraph (1), the indication made on the residence card pursuant to the provisions of Article 20, paragraph (5) is to be deleted, and an indication is to be made on the residence card to the effect that the application pursuant to the provisions of Article 21, paragraph (2) of the Act has been filed.
第二十一条の四
If a foreign national who has filed the application set forth in Article 21, paragraph (1) seeks to propose changing the application to an application for a change of the status of residence, the foreign national must appear at the regional immigration services bureau and submit a copy of the written request pursuant to the Appended Form No. 30-3.
第二十一条第一項の申請をした外国人が、当該申請を在留資格の変更の申請に変更することを申し出ようとするときは、別記第三十号の三様式による申出書一通を地方出入国在留管理局に出頭して提出しなければならない。
In the event that the proposal set forth in the preceding paragraph is made, the application set forth in Article 20, paragraph (1) is deemed to have been filed on the day on which the application set forth in Article 21, paragraph (1) pertaining to the proposal was filed.
The provisions of Article 19, paragraph (3), Article 20, paragraph (4), Article 20-2 and paragraphs (3) and (5) of the preceding Article apply mutatis mutandis to the proposal set forth in paragraph (1). In this case, the term "paragraph (1)" in Article 19, paragraph (3) is deemed to be replaced with "Article 21-4, paragraph (1)", the term "and carry out the procedures provided for in the preceding paragraph" is deemed to be replaced with "and the procedures provided for in Article 20, paragraph (4), as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 21-4, paragraph (3) and submit the materials provided for in Article 21-3, paragraph (3)", the term "Appended Table III (7)" in paragraph (3) of the preceding Article is deemed to be replaced with "Appended Table III", the term "paragraph (1)" in paragraph (5) of the preceding Article is deemed to be replaced with "Article 21-4, paragraph (1)", the term "and the materials provided for in paragraph (3) and carry out the procedures provided for in Article 20, paragraph (4), as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to paragraph (4)" is deemed to be replaced with "and submit the materials provided for in Article 21-3, paragraph (3), as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 21-4, paragraph (3) and the procedures provided for in Article 20, paragraph (4)," respectively.
第十九条第三項、第二十条第四項、第二十条の二並びに前条第三項及び第五項の規定は、第一項の申出について準用する。この場合において、第十九条第三項中「第一項」とあるのは「第二十一条の四第一項」と、「及び前項に定める手続」とあるのは「並びに第二十一条の四第三項において準用する第二十条第四項に定める手続及び第二十一条の三第三項に定める資料の提出」と、前条第三項中「別表第三の七」とあるのは「別表第三」と、前条第五項中「第一項」とあるのは「第二十一条の四第一項」と、「及び第三項に定める資料の提出並びに第四項において準用する第二十条第四項に定める手続」とあるのは「並びに第二十一条の四第三項において準用する第二十一条の三第三項に定める資料の提出及び第二十条第四項に定める手続」と読み替えるものとする。
If a mid- to long-term resident has made the proposal set forth in paragraph (1), the indication made on the residence card pursuant to the provisions of Article 20, paragraph (5), as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 21, paragraph (4) is to be deleted, and an indication is to be made on the residence card to the effect that the application pursuant to the provisions of Article 20, paragraph (2) of the Act has been filed.