Procedures After Leaving the U.S.-Japan Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA)
Foreign nationals generally need a visa status (residence status) to stay in Japan.
However, members of the U.S. Armed Forces stationed in Japan, their family members, and those working at affiliated facilities are allowed to stay in Japan without a residence status.
This is a special arrangement based on the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA).
Under Japanese law, international treaties take precedence over domestic laws.
Therefore, individuals who fall under the U.S.–Japan Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) are exempt from the standard residence status system and may stay in Japan without obtaining a visa.
However, when a person no longer qualifies under SOFA (e.g., due to retirement), they must obtain a proper residence status if they wish to remain in Japan for more than 60 days.
In general, applying for residence status in Japan involves one of the following procedures.
- Certificate of Eligibility application (for inviting a foreign national from overseas)
- Change of Status of Residence application (for changing from one visa type to another while in Japan)
However, SOFA-status individuals are already in Japan without holding a residence status.
As such, neither of the above procedures applies to them.
Instead, those who are no longer covered under SOFA and wish to continue staying in Japan must file an Application for Permission to Acquire Status of Residence.
This procedure is also used for foreign nationals who have not undergone regular immigration procedures, such as babies born in Japan or individuals who have renounced Japanese nationality while residing in Japan.
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📌Application Deadline and Process Overview
As explained above, if a person who was staying in Japan under the SOFA wishes to continue residing in Japan after leaving SOFA status, they must obtain a valid residence status by applying for Permission to Acquire Status of Residence. Key points to keep in mind.
- No application is needed if you leave Japan within 60 days after leaving SOFA status
- If you intend to stay beyond 60 days, you must apply for residence status within 30 days of leaving SOFA
- The application must be submitted by the applicant themselves, their legal guardian (if underage), or a certified immigration lawyer (Gyoseishoshi)
- No application fee is required
Because there is a time limit for applying after leaving SOFA status, it is important to begin the application process early.
The appropriate residence status will depend on your intended activities in Japan. Common examples include.
- If you plan to work in Japan → a work visa (e.g., Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services)
- If you are married to a Japanese citizen → Spouse of Japanese National
📄 Required Documents for the Application
If you are applying for the "Spouse of Japanese National" residence status, you will need to submit standard application documents along with proof of SOFA separation.
- Official document clearly stating the separation from SOFA status, such as:
- 「Notification of Personnel Action」
- This notification is typically issued by the affiliated organization on the day of separation.
- After obtaining this document, you must submit your application for residence status within 30 days.
However, in some of the cases we have handled, permission was granted without issue by submitting an official letter prepared by the affiliated organization to certify SOFA separation even before the official “Notification of Personnel Action” was issued.
Since applications related to SOFA are often processed relatively quickly, if your case is not urgent, it is generally smoother to wait until the official notification is issued before proceeding with the application.
🌟 Need help applying for a visa after separating from SOFA status in Japan?
To remain in Japan after separating from SOFA status, you must obtain an appropriate visa.
Accurate information and proper preparation are essential—but online sources and AI tools alone may not be enough. For a smooth and reliable process, we recommend consulting an immigration professional.
✅ Want to know which visa status can be obtained after separating from SOFA
✅ Need detailed guidance on the application process and required documents
✅ Want to minimize the risk of denial
If any of these apply to you, take advantage of our free consultation!
We’ll help you prepare properly so you can obtain your visa with peace of mind.
For those facing difficulties with visa applications – We’ll guide you through the appropriate procedures based on your situation.
📌📩 Now accepting first-time consultations by email – free of charge!
📱💻 We also offer a simple online consultation (about 30 minutes) for those who prefer it. Please note that this service is available in Japanese only. If you have a Google account, you can start the consultation simply by clicking the provided URL.
📢 Do you have any concerns about your visa application?
We will review your situation and provide a free assessment of your chances of approval and the necessary procedures.
💡 Email consultations are available 24/7. We typically respond within 1–2 business days.
📍 Visa Basics & Application Procedures – Featured Articles(Note: Other pages are in Japanese.)
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