According to figures released by the Immigration Services Agency of Japan, the number of status of residence revocations in FY2020 reached 1,210, the highest on record.

This article explains the cases behind that record and the numbers by status of residence.

What Is Status of Residence Revocation?

Most foreign nationals staying in Japan for medium to long periods hold a status of residence corresponding to their circumstances.

Foreign nationals are required to carry a residence card at all times. The card states the status under which they are permitted to stay in Japan and until when they may stay.

That status of residence may be revoked if, for example, the foreign national engages in activities other than those permitted under the status granted.

Even after revocation procedures have begun, if the foreign national leaves Japan during the process, the case ends in a termination disposition rather than a revocation disposition.

In FY2020, 331 cases resulted in a termination disposition after procedures had begun.

*A termination disposition means that revocation procedures were started but ultimately did not result in revocation.

Main Reasons for Status of Residence Revocation

There are various grounds for status of residence revocation. This section covers the main ones.

● Cases where false statements in a status of residence application are discovered

When obtaining a status of residence, an application is filed. Cases in which a false application was made and the status was obtained fall under this category.

〇 Cases falling under Article 22-4, paragraph (1), item (i) of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act

This applies when landing permission was granted on the basis that the person did not fall under any grounds for denial of landing.

There have been cases of detection where a person who fell under grounds for denial of landing due to a prior deportation failed to declare that history and falsely obtained landing permission by claiming they did not fall under such grounds.

〇 Cases falling under Article 22-4, paragraph (1), item (ii) of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act

This applies when landing permission or similar was obtained by deception or other wrongful means other than those under item (i) above.

There have been cases of detection where, in order to renew a Spouse or Child of Japanese National status of residence, a person staged a sham marriage with a Japanese national, pretended that a genuine marital relationship existed, submitted a false application for permission to extend the period of stay, and obtained that permission.

In such cases, the person may have been married initially, but by the time of the period-of-stay extension had already divorced, yet falsely declared that they were still married when applying.

There have also been cases of detection where, to renew an Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services status of residence, a person submitted a false application for permission to extend the period of stay describing job duties different from the work actually performed and obtained that permission.

〇 Cases falling under Article 22-4, paragraph (1), item (iii) of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act

This applies when, other than under items (i) and (ii) above, landing permission or similar was obtained by submitting or presenting documents or drawings containing false statements.

There have been cases where, when renewing an Investor/Business Manager status of residence, permission was obtained by submitting an application with a false statement of the workplace address even though no office actually existed.

● Cases where a foreign national staying in Japan medium to long term has continuously failed for a certain period to engage in the activities based on their status of residence

〇 Cases falling under Article 22-4, paragraph (1), item (v) of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act

This applies when, without a justifiable reason, the person is not engaging in the activities permitted under the status of residence obtained and is staying while engaging in, or seeking to engage in, activities other than those permitted.

There have been cases of detection where a foreign national holding Student status of residence continued to stay and work part-time after being expelled from school, without engaging in activities corresponding to that status.

There have been cases of detection where a foreign national holding Technical Intern Training status of residence absconded from the training site, then engaged in activities other than those permitted under the status and worked at another company.

〇 Cases falling under Article 22-4, paragraph (1), item (vi) of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act

This applies when a foreign national staying with a status of residence fails, without a justifiable reason, to engage in the activities permitted under that status for three months or more (six months for Highly Skilled Professional).

There have been cases of detection where a foreign national holding Student status of residence remained in Japan for three months or more after being expelled from school without engaging in activities corresponding to that status.

There have been cases of detection where a foreign national holding Specified Skilled Worker (i) status of residence remained in Japan for three months or more after voluntarily resigning from their Specified Skilled Worker affiliated organization without engaging in the activities permitted under that status.

In FY2020, for the first time, foreign nationals holding Specified Skilled Worker (i) status of residence had their status revoked. Of the four persons subject to revocation, three appear to have been revoked for this reason.

The four foreign nationals who held Specified Skilled Worker (i) status and had it revoked were three from Vietnam and one from Myanmar.

〇 Cases falling under Article 22-4, paragraph (1), item (vii) of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act

This applies when a foreign national holding Spouse or Child of Japanese National or Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident status of residence stays without, for a justifiable reason, engaging for six months or more in activities corresponding to the permitted status.

There have been cases of detection where a foreign national holding Spouse or Child of Japanese National status of residence continued to stay in Japan for six months or more after divorcing their Japanese spouse.

Status of Residence Revocation Grounds That Specified Skilled Workers Should Note

As already noted, FY2020 saw the first revocations of status of residence for Specified Skilled Workers.

According to information published on the Immigration Services Agency of Japan website, the grounds for revocation were

violations of Article 22-4, paragraph (1), item (v) and Article 22-4, paragraph (1), item (vi) of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act.

Regarding the example of foreign nationals who remained in Japan for three months or more after voluntary resignation, such cases are likely to increase going forward because Specified Skilled Workers are permitted to change jobs.

Unlike technical intern trainees, job changes are allowed, so absconding cases are expected to remain relatively few. Still, companies accepting Specified Skilled Workers must take care to avoid enforcement action.

Looking at the overall figures by nationality, Vietnam accounted for 711 persons, China 162, and Nepal 98, showing that Vietnamese nationals make up a very large share of those subject to enforcement.

Given that Vietnamese nationals are also the largest group among Specified Skilled Workers, companies accepting Vietnamese Specified Skilled Workers will need to consider this risk going forward.

When hiring Specified Skilled Workers, companies should also carefully verify the status of residence and, in the case of a job change, the reason for leaving the previous employer.

Conclusion

This article has outlined the grounds for status of residence revocation.

Under COVID-19, with the global economy stagnating, accepting organizations that employ foreign nationals have been affected without exception, and in some cases have dismissed foreign employees.

In that environment, it appears that more foreign nationals are, for economic reasons, unwillingly falling under grounds for status of residence revocation—for example by engaging in activities other than those permitted under the status they hold.

With sound knowledge and proper management of status of residence, activities that would not previously have been allowed may in some cases be temporarily permitted under Designated Activities, which can reduce situations in which foreign nationals face economic hardship.

Except for some foreign nationals, most are affiliated with an organization in Japan, so it is fair to say that accepting organizations must take responsibility for managing their foreign nationals’ status of residence.

About the Author

Hayato Yamashita
Director, YourBright Inc. / Practical Operations Manager, Registered Support Organization
Specializing in Specified Skilled Worker programs, international talent hiring, registered support, and status of residence practice, he is engaged in international talent placement and acceptance support.

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2025 Status of Residence Revocation Figures and Points Accepting Organizations Should Check

According to figures released by the Immigration Services Agency of Japan in March 2026, the number of status of residence revocations in 2025 was 1,446, up 262 cases, or 22.1%, from 1,184 in 2024, setting a new record high. By status of residence, the figures were Technical Intern Training 973, Student 343, and Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services 63. The FY2020 figures in this article are retained as a historical record; please use the latest published figures for current decisions.

Accepting organizations should regularly check not only residence card expiration dates, but also whether actual duties match permitted activities, whether notifications are required for resignation, job change, or change of affiliated organization, and whether long absences or periods without actual activities have arisen. Do not leave this to the individual alone: record the period of stay and verification dates in the personnel ledger, and when in doubt, confirm with the regional immigration services bureau.

  • At hiring and renewal, check both sides of the residence card, the period of stay, and any work restrictions
  • Cross-check the job duties in the employment contract against the activities permitted under the status of residence
  • Confirm whether notification is required when resignation, job change, leave of absence, or change of affiliated organization occurs
  • Refer to the latest materials from the Immigration Services Agency of Japan for published statistics, not the year this article was published

Related Reading

Related article: Current Situation of Foreign Workers 2026 Edition

Related article: Complete Guide to Hiring Foreign Nationals 2026 Edition

Official Information

Source: Status of Residence Revocations in 2025 (Immigration Services Agency of Japan)