In Japan, the management of foreign nationals’ stay is divided between residence status<\/strong> (managed by the Ministry of Justice) and visa (entry permit)<\/strong> (managed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs). Simply put, the visa serves as a permission to enter Japan, issued by Japanese embassies or consulates abroad, while the residence status regulates the purpose and activities allowed during the stay, controlled by the Immigration Services Agency under the Ministry of Justice. This two-step system separates entry permission from ongoing stay permission, enabling detailed control over foreign nationals\u2019 activities during their stay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This approach is not unique to Japan; many advanced countries operate with a similar conceptual separation. However, the way they implement and emphasize these controls can differ based on each country\u2019s immigration policies and legal frameworks. Below, we describe the Japanese system\u2019s characteristics, and compare it with similar and different examples from other advanced countries to see how they achieve their immigration control objectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In Japan, a visa is strictly an entry permit<\/strong>, and possession of a visa alone does not guarantee permission to stay. After entry, the Immigration Services Agency grants or refuses residence status, which specifies the allowed activities (study, work, family stay, etc.) and duration. Conversely, a person with a valid residence status who temporarily leaves Japan may re-enter without obtaining a new visa under the re-entry permit system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This separation allows immigration authorities to review and monitor foreigners\u2019 status not only at the border but throughout their stay, enabling more precise and flexible management. Japan also offers numerous specific residence statuses, allowing finely tailored permission based on the person\u2019s intended activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The U.S. has a system similar to Japan\u2019s in that visa issuance<\/strong> and stay authorization<\/strong> are separate. Visas are issued by U.S. embassies and consulates abroad and serve as permission to request entry into the country. Upon arrival, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the border grant admission and determine the actual status and authorized period of stay, recorded on the Form I-94.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) manages changes or extensions of status once inside the country. Therefore, like Japan, visa issuance and residence status control are handled by different agencies, representing two distinct processes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The UK also distinguishes between entry clearance (visa)<\/strong> and leave to enter or remain<\/strong> (permission to stay), which is managed by the Home Office. Visas are issued overseas by visa application centers, while the Home Office manages immigration control within the UK.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The UK\u2019s system links the visa and stay permission closely, but they remain separate legal steps. Entry clearance gives permission to travel and seek entry, but actual leave to enter (stay permission) is granted at the border or later inside the UK. Extensions or changes of status are handled internally by the Home Office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Canada\u2019s immigration system issues visas as entry permits through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), which also controls stay permissions such as temporary resident status or permanent residency. Unlike the U.S. and Japan, Canada\u2019s visa and residence status management are handled by the same authority, but the visa does not guarantee admission\u2014final permission is given at the border.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Still, Canada separates the concept of entry permit and authorized stay, with extensions and status changes managed internally after arrival.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In Germany and other Schengen countries, short-term visas<\/strong> (Schengen visas) allow stays up to 90 days and are issued by consulates. Longer stays require a separate residence permit<\/strong> granted by local foreigner offices after entry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here, the visa and residence permit are clearly separated, but the residence permits tend to be less detailed in classifying types of activities compared to Japan. The Schengen visa governs short-term travel across many countries, while each country manages longer-term stays individually. This separation supports both common border control and national residence management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Australia\u2019s immigration system differs notably by using visas<\/strong> to cover both entry and the terms of stay in a unified manner. When a visa is issued, it specifies the purpose, duration, and conditions of stay. There is no separate residence status granted at the border or later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Thus, the visa itself functions as both an entry permit and stay authorization, which contrasts with Japan\u2019s approach of separating the two stages of immigration control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Many advanced countries, including Japan, the U.S., and the UK, separate entry permission (visa)<\/strong> and stay permission (residence status)<\/strong>, allowing detailed, ongoing management of foreigners\u2019 stay after arrival. This two-step approach facilitates initial scrutiny at the border and continuous monitoring during the stay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some countries, such as Australia, combine entry and stay permissions into a single visa system, simplifying administration but potentially limiting flexibility in managing changing circumstances after arrival. The Schengen system uses a dual system for short- and long-term stays, balancing multilateral border control with national residence management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Overall, separating visas and residence statuses allows more precise immigration control and adapts well to complex migration patterns. However, the specific implementation depends on each country\u2019s legal framework, immigration priorities, and historical context. As global migration evolves, countries continue to adapt these systems to balance security, economic needs, and humanitarian concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nCharacteristics of Japan\u2019s Separation Between Residence Status and Visa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nSimilar Cases in Advanced Countries<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. United States<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
2. United Kingdom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
3. Canada<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nDifferent Cases<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Germany and the Schengen Area<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Australia<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nComparison and Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Japan Immigration News<\/h2>\n\n\n