Hello, this is Hong from IMS Legal Professional Corporation. Recent reports suggest that there will be a relaxation of requirements for foreign entrepreneurs, allowing them to stay nationwide for two years without the need for an office or investment. The Immigration Services Agency plans to amend ordinances related to the "Management and Administration" residency status by 2024.
Additionally, it appears that the two separate programs for foreign startup businesses under the National Strategic Special Zones and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry will be integrated. While the specific details of the new residency status are yet to be outlined, we will be closely monitoring government announcements.
Changing Nationality on the Residence Card for Dual Citizens
Now, let's address the question of whether individuals with dual nationality, residing in Japan, can easily change the nationality listed on their residence card.
There are countries, like Japan and China, that do not recognize dual citizenship, while others, such as the United States, France, and Germany, accept it. Some individuals with dual citizenship from two foreign countries reside in Japan, prompting inquiries about whether they can change the nationality on their residence card to the other citizenship.
Legal Provisions and Required Documents
According to Article 19-10 of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, a change of registered items other than the place of residence must be reported. This applies to mid- to long-term residents in case of changes in name, date of birth, gender, or nationality/region. While it might seem straightforward to change the nationality, examining the required documents provided by the immigration authorities reveals the following:
- Documents proving the departure or renunciation of the nationality/region listed in the nationality/region section of the residence card.
- Passport or equivalent document from the newly acquired country.
In other words, the documents required include proof of leaving or renouncing one of the nationalities, making it impossible to change the nationality on the residence card while holding dual citizenship.
Procedure for Acknowledging Dual Citizenship on the Residence Card
However, there is a procedure to acknowledge dual citizenship on the back of the residence card. By applying at the immigration office, you can have the additional citizenship, not listed in the nationality section of the residence card, recorded on the back as "Nationality: ●●●." If you wish to proceed, bring the original copies of both passports and the residence card to the immigration counter for a straightforward process. While there may not be significant benefits, this procedure can be helpful. With this acknowledgment, if one passport expires, you can use the other for immigration procedures. For example, if one passport expires, having received acknowledgment of dual citizenship from immigration allows you to use the other passport for entry and exit procedures.
Conclusion and Considerations
In conclusion, for individuals determined to have a residence card with the nationality of the other citizenship, there is a process to temporarily leave Japan, apply for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) in the desired nationality, obtain a new visa, and re-enter Japan. However, this involves significant effort and inconvenience, including departure from Japan, redoing the residency status acquisition process, and visa application. Unless there are unavoidable circumstances, it is not highly recommended.
At IMS Legal Professional Corporation, we specialize in handling various visas, including Japan, the United States, and Vietnam. If you encounter difficulties in these procedures, please feel free to contact our firm for assistance.
For more information, please contact us below ↓
https://imsvisa.support/en/contact/
