2025-08-13

A permanent resident visa is a status of residence that allows foreign nationals to reside permanently in Japan. Although the nationality remains the same, there are many advantages, such as basically no restrictions on employment. However, the requirements for this visa are more stringent than those for other statuses of residence. Is it possible to have someone apply for this visa on my behalf?

What is a Permanent Resident Visa?

A Permanent Resident Visa is, as the name implies, a visa (status of residence) that allows permanent residence in Japan. Unlike other work-related visas, there are basically no restrictions on working with a Permanent Resident Visa.

To obtain a permanent resident visa, a person who meets the following conditions must prepare an application form and other necessary documents, and submit them to the Immigration Bureau that has jurisdiction over his/her address. The application must be approved by the Immigration Bureau and the visa can be obtained.
Spouse of a Japanese national (married to a Japanese national)
・ Spouse of a permanent resident (married to a permanent resident visa holder)
・ Spouse of a special permanent resident
*Special permanent resident: A person from the Korean Peninsula who came to live in Japan due to World War II
・ Person from Taiwan and their descendants
・ Birth child of Japanese national (including special adoption) Birth children of Japanese nationals (including special adoptive parents)
・Birth children of Permanent Residents and Special Permanent Residents

However, obtaining a permanent resident visa does not change one’s nationality from foreign to Japanese. The applicant’s nationality will remain the same, and the right to permanently reside in Japan will be acquired.

Can you apply on my behalf?

Since a Permanent Resident Visa is a status of residence that allows permanent residence in Japan, its requirements are stricter than those of other statuses of residence.
In addition, there are more documents to be submitted than those for other statuses of residence, and it takes time and effort for an applicant to complete these tasks by him/herself.

Therefore, Gyoseishoshi Lawyer, a professional in the application for status of residence, is allowed to apply on behalf of the applicant. In most cases, the applicant does not apply for the status of residence himself/herself, but asks Gyoseishoshi Lawyer to do so.

However, if you do not know any Gyoseishoshi Lawyer, you may not know how to find one.

The easiest way is to search for an administrative scrivener near you by searching “xxx (name of area), administrative scrivener, status of residence” on your computer or smartphone. Also, in each prefecture, there is a “Gyoseishoshi Lawyer Association” to which all Gyoseishoshi Lawyers are affiliated. You can also access its website and search for an administrative scrivener from the list of administrative scriveners.

Also, if you are unsure of the market rate of fees to be paid to an administrative scrivener, we recommend that you refer to the website of the “Japan Federation of Administrative Scrivener Associations (JGSSA),” which oversees the “administrative scrivener associations” in each prefecture, as it has a survey of fees (compensation amounts) by category.

Application Process

If you request Gyoseishoshi Lawyer to apply for a Permanent Resident Visa, the process will be as follows.

・The applicant consults with Gyoseishoshi Lawyer by phone or other means regarding the application for a permanent residence visa. If you actually go to the Gyoseishoshi Lawyer’s office for consultation, a consultation fee may be required.
・After the contract of mandate is concluded with the Gyoseishoshi Lawyer, we will prepare the application documents for the Permanent Resident Visa.
・The most important document to be submitted is the “Statement of Reasons for Application”. In this case, we will prepare it based on the advice from the Gyoseishoshi Lawyer.
・We will prepare other documents. In addition, we will ask Gyoseishoshi Lawyer to check the documents to be submitted.
・Gyoseishoshi Lawyer will file the application with the Immigration Bureau on your behalf.
・If the immigration inspector requests a letter of inquiry, explanation of circumstances, or additional instructions on materials to be submitted, Gyoseishoshi Lawyer will respond to such requests.
・The applicant will receive a notice of the result of the application.
・Receive a residence card at the immigration office.

Summary

It is possible to have an application for a permanent residence visa made on your behalf. In fact, many applicants have Gyoseishoshi Lawyer apply on their behalf. However, the amount of remuneration and the scope of representation differ depending on the Gyoseishoshi Lawyer, so you need to choose carefully.