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Financial human resources who are preferentially treated
Highly-skilled human resource visa acquisition practices for financial human resources who are preferentially treated
Last year, the government expanded various incentives for foreign fund managers and executives to attract foreign financial talent to invite financial human resources in the world. However, in practice, there are many cases where the results do not match those expected from the media reports and announcements by ministries and agencies, and when the actual procedures are carried out, there are many cases where their responses are quite different from what we expected. This article covers the practice of highly skilled professional visa (status of residence: Highly-Skilled Professional), which is one of the preferential treatment for financial human resources.
〇 Change from temporary visitor visa (Business visa)
For financial human resources, a temporary visitor visa (90 days, 30 days, etc.) can be changed directly to a highly-skilled human resource visa, which is permitted for only financial human resources.
While the application for the issuance of a certificate of eligibility (procedure to bring people to Japan from overseas) often takes about one month for examination at the earliest and two months for entering into Japan including the procedure to be taken in home countries, direct change from temporary visitor visas to highly-skilled human resource visas does not require the certificate and returning to home countries. For this reason, we have impression this is very welcomed by those who need.
〇 Subject to priority processing of examination (within 10 days)
Regarding the review period after application, it has been announced that priority processing will be performed, and results will be announced within 10 days. However, although it depends on the immigration bureau of jurisdiction, it would be better to think of this as 10 business days (about 2 weeks).
It takes 10 business days if it goes smoothly, and 3 weeks to 1 month if additional documents are required.
〇 Practices eligible for preferential treatment
You can enjoy the benefit of the preferential treatment for financial human resources if you are actually engaged in the following target business:
- Type II Financial Instruments Business (Article 28, Paragraph 2 of Financial Instruments and Exchange Act)
- Investment Advisory and Agency Business (Article 28, Paragraph 3 of Financial Instruments and Exchange Act)
- Investment Management Business (Article 28, Paragraph 4 of Financial Instruments and Exchange Act)
Those who are engaged in any of the above three businesses.
Type I Financial Instruments Business is not subject to this treatment.
It is necessary to explain that you are planning to engage in one of the above three businesses in an activity description from the company, and without it, you cannot be eligible.
Including above, there are more detailed provisions in actual practice.
In particular, for managers and executives of companies, who often seek for the highly-skilled human resource visas, we recommend that you make adequate preparations, including adjusting your schedule.
VISA for same-sex partners
In recent years, many local governments have introduced a same-sex partnership system to treat same-sex couples in the same way as married couples. Overseas, the system for same-sex partners was introduced much earlier than Japan, and the Immigration Services Agency of Japan respects that situation. This article tells you about residence permits for same-sex partners.
〇Is same-sex partner status of residence (visa) permitted?
For cross-sex partners, there are statuses of residence such as family stay for spouses of people poses work visas, and spouses of Japanese or permanent residents for spouses of Japanese or permanent residents. However, this status of residence does not apply to same-sex partners. Therefore, although it does not fall under the existing status of residence, they are addressing it by permitting the status of residence of "designated activities" if certain conditions are met.
〇Conditions for being granted a specific activity visa as a same-sex partner
Currently, the Immigration Bureau grants a status of residence for specific activities based on a comprehensive assessment of other circumstances if the marriage relationship is valid under the laws of the home country. The point here is that the marriage is valid under the laws of the home country, so same-sex partnerships in Japan are not regarded as valid.
The same-sex partnership system in Japan is nothing more than a municipal system and is not recognized as a legal marriage.
In addition, if the marriage is not valid according to the laws of the home country and is registered as a common-law marriage in the home country, the examination will be conducted by comprehensively judging the actual situation of the country.
〇Is it possible to obtain permanent residency as a same-sex partner?
Even for a designated activity visa as a same-sex partner, it is possible to obtain a permanent residence permit if you meet the conditions. However, there are few cases of permanent residence permits for same-sex partner designated activity visas, so we feel that it is necessary to provide appropriate explanations and proof.
Recently, we have been receiving burgeoning inquiries related to same-sex partners and so the Immigration Services Agency have. Japan is required to respond flexibly according to international standards and the times.
Voice of client (Business visa)
Client voice on youtube.
Please come take a look!
https://youtu.be/g9U0tV6ZLSI
enter Japan. While life is gradually returning to normal, please find below the current situation and problems for foreigners entering Japan.
Current situation and problems regarding visa application for new foreign nationals who wish to enter Japan
From March 2022, Japan has loosened the regulations and allowing new foreign nationals to enter Japan. While life is gradually returning to normal, please find below the current situation and problems for foreigners entering Japan.
１、 New procedures when entering Japan.
Two procedures before the COVID-19 pandemic, ①Submitting the Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) documents in Japan. ②Applying through the Embassy of Japan in the applicants` home country.
Procedures from March 2022, ①Submitting the Certificate of Eligibility documents in Japan. ②Acquiring health certificate for new foreign nationals from ERFS (Entrants, Returnees Follow-up System). ③Visa will be issued by the Embassy of Japan in the applicants` home country.
Although acquiring an ERFS certificate is not that difficult, due to security problems, there are companies that are unable to download the necessary documents, or ambiguity in handling schedule changes, resulting in a not so smooth process.
２、 For foreigners who wish to enter Japan with business purposes but do not have the Certificate of Eligibility
From March 2022, even if the applicants do not have the Certificate of Eligibility, they are allowed to enter Japan with business purposes. However, it does not mean that if the reason for visiting Japan is for business, then the visa will be issued. The screening process is much stricter than before the COVID-19 pandemic, even if you apply, there may be possibilities that the application will be rejected.
For those who submitted the application without CoE and are rejected, there are cases that if the application is submitted again with the CoE, the application will be approved, it is likely that the Embassy will prioritize applications that includes the CoE.
Also, there may be occasions when the CoE cannot be posted due to delivery trouble. Therefore, for applicants/companies that wish to enter Japan early, please make sure to plan everything carefully before applying.
Regarding receiving Ukrainian refugees
Regarding receiving Ukrainian refugees
Due to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the number of Ukrainian citizens that fled the country has now reached over 6 million people, we would like to inform you that Japan also began receiving Ukrainian refugees.
1. Current situation regarding receiving Ukrainian refugees
According to the data gathered until 2022 May 22nd, Japan has received 1,040 Ukrainian refugees. Part of the data shows whether they have any guarantor, and most of them have someone they know who lives in Japan, so they decided to evacuate to Japan.
Japan will aim to receive more refugees from Ukraine and continue to make sure there are enough places to accommodate and support the refugees while they are in Japan.
The procedures regarding entering Japan
Currently, Embassy of Japan in Ukraine is closed. Therefore, for Ukrainian refugees who wish to evacuate to Japan, they must firstly go to the countries near Ukraine, such as Poland, Romania, Moldova, and Hungary, and then apply for visa from the Embassy of Japan in those countries. For refugees who wish to evacuate to Japan, a 90-day short term visa can be issued.
Usually when applying for visa to enter Japan, information about the guarantor while staying in Japan is compulsory, however, exception has been made for Ukrainian refugees.
2. For refugees who wish to stay more than 90 days after entering Japan
After entering Japan, for refugees who wish to stay longer than the 90 days period, visa can be switched to “Designated activity” visa, which grant the person to seek employment and can stay in Japan for one year.
Regarding the designated activity visa
・When applying, guarantor is needed.
・Apart from sex industry, there are no restrictions on the type of occupation and working hours.
・Currently, whether visa can be renewed after one year has not been decided yet.
Because whether visa can be renewed after one year is undecided, for those who have received the refugees (including companies who wish to hire the refugees), it is advised to switch to another visa as soon as possible.
We can help refugees with the above situations who wish to change to another visa.
Regarding evacuation, the first step is to evacuate to other countries nearby, however, for those refugees who wish to come to Japan, and considering the life while in Japan, the most important part is to secure employment.
For companies who wish to support the refugees, please refer to the above and we hope the information can be useful.
3月の業務月報
3月の月報
エルフス（ERFS）代理申請を大量処理
新規外国人の入国制限解除に伴い、新しい入国のシステムとして、入国前にERFS（エルフス）の申請を行う事が必要となっています。
これは、日本側の受入責任者（企業）が申請をするものであり、日本に受入責任者がいない場合には入国ができません。
また、受け入れ企業があったとしても、受け入れ企業様も通常業務で忙しい中ですので、新しいシステムの対応や手続きをする時間を割く事がないよう弊社で代理申請を行っております。
既に経営・管理4月のビザ（在留資格認定証明書）を取得されていたお客様で、日本に受入責任者がいない為にお困りであったケースも弊社がサポートさせていただきました。
このシステムがいつまで続くかは未定ですが、現時点では在留資格認定証明書→ERFS申請→大使館でのビザ手続きという3段階の手続きをする必要があります。
新しい提携事業者様とのお仕事を開始しました
業務提携先企業様が増え、新しい企業様との提携が始まりました。
自社の強みである外国人のビザ申請業務の知識、外国人雇用の知識等を活用し、両社共にビジネスが発展していくことを願っています。
ビザ申請業務
3月も多くの申請業務を行いました。
入国制限中は待ち時間のなかった入管が、ここにきて長時間ならばなければまず建物に入れない、申請まで1日かかるといった状況が続いています。
我々は予約が可能なため、混雑を避ける事が出来ておりますが、ご本人申請の方は混雑にご注意ください。
発信業務の強化準備をしております
現在、弊社の発信力を高める為、準備を行っています。
専属担当者のもと、着々と準備を進めておりますので、近々新たな取り組みが増える予定です。