Japanese Immigration
The Japanese Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Law mandates the regulation of entry and residence for foreigners. Foreign nationals living in Japan are authorized to engaged in designated activities which falls under their status of residence granted at the time of their entry and they can stay in Japan within the period of stay determined in accordance with their status of residence. All foreign nationals need to carry either their passports or certificate of alien registration known as "gaijin card" issued at the ward or city office that control their residence. If foreign nationals want to change their status of residence, renew their visas, or receive reentry permit, you need to go to the local immigration bureau. You may want to bring your portable game or manga while you are waiting for your turn at the notoriously crowded immigration bureau. 
The list of status of residence is shown in followings:
| Status of Residence (Visa) | Activities authorized to engage in | Period of Stay |
| Diplomat | Acitivies on he part of constituent members of diplomatic missions or other offices of foreign governments; and activities of on the part of their family members belonging to the same household | During mission |
| Official | Activities on the part of those who engage in official foreign governments or international organizations and activities of on the part of their family members belonging to the same household | During official activitiesProfessor Activities |
| Professor | Activities for research, direction of research or education at university and so forth in Japan | 3 years or 1 year |
| Artist | Activities for the arts that provide income, including music literature and so forth (excluding activities listed under Entertainer visa) | 3 years or 1 year |
| Religious Acitivities | Activities for Religion conducted members of foreign religious organization | 3 years or 1 year |
| Jouranalist |
Activities for news coverage or other journalist conducted based on a contact with foreign journalistic organization |
3 years or 1 year |
| Investor/Business Manager | Acitivities to manage investment and business in Japan | 3 years or 1 year |
| Legal/Accounting Services | Acitivities to engage in legal or accounting business carried out by foreign lawyers or certified public accountants | 3 years or 1 year |
| Medical Services | Acitivities to engage in medical treatment service carried out by foreign doctors, dentists or those with other legal qualifications | 3 years or 1 year |
| Researcher | Acitivities to engage in research based on a contract with public or private organizations in Japan | 3 years or 1 year |
| Instructor | Acitivities to engage in language instruction and other education at elementary schools, junior high schools, high schools and other relevant vocational schools | 3 years or 1 year |
| Engineer | Acitivities to engage in services which require technology and/or knowledge related to physical science, engineering or other natural science based on a contract with public or private organizations in Japan | 3 years or 1 year |
| Specialist in Humanities/International Services | Acitivities to engage in services which require knowledge related to jurisprudence, economics or other human science fields or to engage in services which requires specific ways of thinking or sensitivity based on experience with foreign culture, based on a contract with public or private organizations in Japan | 3 years or 1 year |
| Intra-Company Tranferee | Acitivities on the personnel transferring to headquarters, branch or other business offices in Japan and who are engaged in above mentioned Engineer or Specialist in Humanities/International Services | 3 years or 1 year |
| Entertainer | Acitivities to engage in theatrical, music sports performancesperformance or any other show business performance |
1 year, 6 months or 3 months |
| Skilled Labor | Acitivities to engage in services which require industrial skills related to special field based on a contract with public or private organizations in Japan | 3 years, 1 year or 6 months |
| Cultural Activies | Academic or artistic activities that generates no income for the purpose of specific studies of Japanese culture or arts under the guidance of experts in the fields |
1 year or 6 months |
| Temporary Visitor | Short period of stay in Japan for the purpose of sightseeing, visiting relatives and so forth | 90 days or 30 days |
| College Student | Acitivies to receive education at universities or higher education | 2 years or 1 year |
| Pre-College Student | Acitivies to receive education at high schools and other relevant vocational schools |
1 year or 6 months |
| Trainee | Acitivies to learn and obtain technology and skills at public or private organizations in Japan |
1 year or 6 months |
| Dependent | Daily activities on the part of spouse or unmarried children those who stay in Japan together with above mentioned visas from Professor to Cultural Activities or those who stay with College or Pre-College visas |
1-3 years 6 months or 3 months |
| Designated Activities | Acitivities which are particularly designated by the Minister of Justice such as working holidays | Specifically designated by the Minister of Justice |
| Permanent Resident | Those who are granted permanent residence by the Minister of Justice | Indefiniate |
| Spouse or Child of Japanese Nationals | Spouces of Japanese nationals or children of Japanese nationals or those who are adopted by Japanese nationals | 3 years or 1 year |
| Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident | Spouses of those with permanent residence or children of permanentresidence residennce | 3 years or 1 year |
| Long-term Resident | Those who are granted long term resident by the Minister of Justice | 3 years or 1 year or Specifically designated by the Minister of Justice |
