If you are a member of the United States armed forces or civilian component ( or dependents of those members ) being stationed in one of the base in Japan, you are under Status of U.S. Forces Agreement ( SOFA ) which is different from ordinary status of residence granted by Japan Immigration bureau. In order to be in Japan lawfully, foreign nationals must have a status of residence.
So what will be the necessary process once you lose your SOFA status, for example when you resign from your job while you are stationed in one of the base in Japan?
In the case where you are planning to leave Japan within 60 days of losing your SOFA status, you do not have to go through any process. Meaning you are permitted to stay in Japan for no more than 60 days without any status.
However, in the case where you wish to continue to stay in Japan after 60 days since you lose your SOFA status, it is necessary to obtain a status of residence. In order to obtain status of residence you need to find a sponsor such as an organization, Japanese national, foreign national who already has a status of residence in Japan.
For example if you are married to a Japanese national she/he can be your sponsor you are able to apply for a status of residence as “Spouse of Japanese national”. If you find a new job at a private company in Japan, your company can be a sponsor and you could apply for a working status of residence. However please note that each status of residence has strict criteria that you need to meet, such as degree, work experience, etc. This proccess has to be started within 30 days of losing your SOFA status. The key point here is you can apply for status of residence only after you lose your SOFA status but not while your are under SOFA status.
In order to obtain a status of residence after losing your SOFA status, you must apply for “permission to acquire status of residence” and NOT “change of status of residence” since the later one works only for foreign nations who already have a status of residence. For example, if you have working status of residence and are also married to a Japanese national, if you wish to change your status to Spouse of Japanese national, you may apply for change of status of residence.
Process
- Once you lose your SOFA status, the U.S. base can issue a letter of release order or termination of SOFA
- Fill out “application for permission to acquire status of residence “
- Submit the letter from the base, application, and any other necessary documents depending on what activity you are going to engage in. Because Japan has jurisdictions for residency, you will need to apply to the Immigration Bureau in the same location as your sponsor (i.e. if you lose your SOFA status in Okinawa and are applying for status of residence in Tokyo, you will need to submit your application to the Immigration Bureau in Tokyo.
Japanese words you may need to know
Permission to acquire status of residence: 在留資格取得許可
change of status of residence: 在留資格変更
