Revocation of Residence Status (Article 22-4) and Notification Duties | Don't Lose Your Status Over Three Months
Revocation of Residence Status (Article 22-4) and Notification Duties — Don’t Lose Your Status Over Three Months
Once granted, a residence status is not secure until the period of stay expires. Article 22-4 of the Immigration Control Act provides that the Minister of Justice may revoke a residence status when certain facts come to light, and in practice the most common trigger is the passage of a period such as “three months after leaving a job” or “six months after a divorce.” In this article we set out the grounds for revocation item by item, and review the notification duties imposed on mid-to-long-term residents together with their deadlines.
Sources: e-Gov Law Search, “Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act” (Cabinet Order No. 319 of 1951), Articles 19-7 to 19-16, 22-4, 22-5, 24, 70, 71-2 and 71-5 / Immigration Services Agency of Japan, “Revocation of Residence Status (Article 22-4),” “Notification on Affiliated Organization,” “Notification on Spouse,” “Q&A on Immigration and Residence Examination” / same agency, “Number of Revocations of Residence Status in 2025” (published 27 March 2026)
This Is Not the Same as Revocation of Permanent Residence
One point should be settled at the outset. This article deals with revocation of residence status under Article 22-4 of the Immigration Control Act, which is a different system from the revocation of permanent residence newly established by the 2024 amendment to the Act. The legal basis and the conduct covered are both different. On the latter, please see What Is the Revocation of Permanent Residence? | Covered Conduct and How to Prevent It.
That said, the two are not unrelated. Article 22-4, paragraph 1 applies to “a foreign national residing in Japan with a residence status listed in the left-hand column of Appended Table I or Appended Table II,” and Appended Table II includes Permanent Resident. Permanent residents therefore also fall within Article 22-4 as regards grounds such as obtaining permission by wrongful means or notification of place of residence.
Persons recognized as refugees or as complementary protection recipients are excluded from Article 22-4, and Article 61-2-11 applies to them instead. For the basic framework of residence statuses themselves, please see What Is a Residence Status? Understanding the Basics.
Ten Grounds for Revocation — What the Statute Says
Article 22-4, paragraph 1 provides that the residence status may be revoked, through the procedure prescribed by Ministry of Justice ordinance, when any of the following facts comes to light.
| Item | Ground for revocation | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Item 1 | Having received the seal of verification for landing or permission on the basis, obtained by deceit or other wrongful means, that the person falls under none of the grounds for denial of landing (Article 5, paragraph 1) | All statuses |
| Item 2 | Other than item 1, having received the seal of verification for landing or equivalent permission by deceit or other wrongful means | All statuses |
| Item 3 | Other than items 1 and 2, having received the seal of verification for landing or equivalent permission by submitting or presenting documents, drawings or electromagnetic records containing false entries or records (including a Certificate of Eligibility obtained through such materials and a visa affixed to a passport on that basis) | All statuses |
| Item 4 | Having received special permission to stay (Article 50, paragraph 1) or permission under Article 61-2-5, paragraph 1 by deceit or other wrongful means | All statuses |
| Item 5 | A person with a status in Appended Table I who is not engaging in the activity corresponding to that status and is residing while engaging in, or intending to engage in, another activity (except where there is a justifiable reason) | Appended Table I |
| Item 6 | A person with a status in Appended Table I who resides without engaging in the activity corresponding to that status continuously for three months or more (six months for Highly Skilled Professional falling under item 2 of the right-hand column of the Highly Skilled Professional section of Table I-2) (except where there is a justifiable reason) | Appended Table I |
| Item 7 | A person with the status of Spouse or Child of Japanese National or Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident (limited to those holding the status of spouse) who resides without engaging in activities as a spouse continuously for six months or more (except where there is a justifiable reason) | Part of Appended Table II |
| Item 8 | A person who has newly become a mid-to-long-term resident failing to notify the place of residence within 90 days from the day of the seal of verification for landing or permission (except where there is a justifiable reason) | Mid-to-long-term residents |
| Item 9 | A mid-to-long-term resident failing to notify the new place of residence within 90 days from the day of moving out of the notified place of residence (except where there is a justifiable reason) | Mid-to-long-term residents |
| Item 10 | A mid-to-long-term resident having notified a false place of residence | Mid-to-long-term residents |
Note the difference between items 5 and 6. Item 5 covers the case where the person is not performing the intended activity and is instead doing (or intending to do) something else; no period is specified. Item 6 covers the case where the intended activity has not been performed for three months or more. The six months in item 7 applies only to Spouse or Child of Japanese National and Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident, not to Dependent (persons who also hold the status of a special adoptee of a Japanese national or of a person born as a child of a Japanese national are excluded).
Which Items Are Actually Used
According to “Number of Revocations of Residence Status in 2025,” published by the Immigration Services Agency on 27 March 2026, there were 1,446 revocations in 2025, an increase of 22.1% over the previous year (1,184) and the highest figure on record.
| Breakdown | Figures |
|---|---|
| By ground | Item 6: 999 (69.1%) / Item 5: 350 (24.2%) / Item 2: 48 (3.3%) |
| By residence status | Technical Intern Training: 973 (67.3%) / Student: 343 (23.7%) / Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services: 63 (4.4%) |
| By nationality/region | Vietnam: 947 (65.5%) / Indonesia: 94 (6.5%) / Sri Lanka: 91 (6.3%) |
Practical point: About 70% of revocations rest on item 6 and about 20% on item 5. In other words, most revocations arise not from fraud or misrepresentation but from the accumulation of a period during which the intended activity was not performed. For risks specific to the Engineer visa, see Revocation Risks for the Engineer Visa | The Revocation System and How to Prevent It.
When a “Justifiable Reason” Is Recognized
Items 5 through 9 each carry the proviso “except where there is a justifiable reason.” The Immigration Services Agency’s “Q&A on Immigration and Residence Examination” gives the following examples.
On not performing the activity for three months or more (item 6)
- Where the person is recognized as conducting concrete job-hunting activities, such as visiting companies to find re-employment after leaving the previous workplace
- Where, after the educational institution the person attended closed down, the person is carrying out the procedures necessary to enroll in another educational institution
- Where a person who must be hospitalized for a long period for medical treatment has unavoidably taken a leave of absence from an educational institution but intends to return after discharge
- Where a foreign student who has graduated from a specialized training college has been accepted for admission to a university in Japan
On not engaging in activities as a spouse for six months or more (item 7)
- Where evacuation or protection is necessary on account of violence by the spouse
- Where the couple lives apart for unavoidable reasons such as raising children, but shares a common household budget
- Where the person has been outside Japan for a long period because of illness or injury of a relative in the home country
- Where divorce mediation or divorce litigation is in progress
In every case, simply stating orally that “there were circumstances” is not enough. What decides the matter in practice is keeping objective materials showing what you were doing during that period — application histories, interview records, medical certificates, documents showing that mediation is pending, and the like.
The Procedure — Hearing of Opinion and Grace Period for Departure
Revocation does not simply arrive as a notice out of the blue. Article 22-4, paragraph 2 onward sets out the procedure.
| Stage | Content | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Hearing of opinion | An immigration inspector designated by the Minister of Justice must hear the opinion of the foreign national concerned | Art. 22-4, para. 2 |
| Advance notice | A written notice of hearing stating the date, place, and the facts constituting the cause of revocation must be served in advance (oral notice is possible in urgent cases) | Same, para. 3 |
| Rights of the person | The person or their representative may appear on the designated date, state opinions and submit evidence | Same, para. 4 |
| Failure to appear | Where the person fails to respond to the hearing without justifiable reason, the status may be revoked without holding the hearing | Same, para. 5 |
| Revocation itself | Effected by the Minister of Justice serving a written notice of revocation of residence status | Same, para. 6 |
| Grace period for departure | For revocation on grounds other than items 1 and 2, a period necessary for departure not exceeding 30 days is designated; no such period is designated where revocation is under item 5 and there are reasonable grounds to suspect that the person will flee | Same, para. 7 |
| Conditions | Where a period is designated, restrictions on residence and area of movement and other necessary conditions may be imposed | Same, para. 8 |
Important: The hearing is your opportunity to respond and to prove your case. The worst response is to assume, when the notice arrives, that everything is already over and to do nothing. Materials supporting a justifiable reason must be assembled before that date.
The consequences after revocation also differ by item. A person whose status is revoked under items 1 or 2 and who remains in Japan is subject to deportation (Article 24, item 2-2) and is punishable by imprisonment for not more than three years or a fine of not more than 3 million yen, or both (Article 70, paragraph 1, item 3). The same applies to a person who remains beyond the designated grace period for departure (Article 24, item 2-4; Article 70, paragraph 1, item 3-3).
Where revocation under item 7 (not engaging in activities as a spouse for six months or more) is contemplated, Article 22-5 requires the Minister of Justice to give due consideration to affording the person an opportunity to apply for a change of status of residence (Article 20, paragraph 2) or for permanent residence (Article 22, paragraph 1). For the requirements of the spouse status itself, see Spouse or Child of Japanese National (Spouse Visa) Complete Guide.
Notification Duties — All Within 14 Days
Items 8 through 10 concern notification of place of residence, but the notification duties imposed by the Act are broader, and their deadline — 14 days — is shorter than the 90 days in the grounds for revocation. Ninety days is the revocation threshold, not the filing deadline.
| Notification | Basis | Deadline | Where to file |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notification of place of residence after new landing | Art. 19-7, para. 1 | Within 14 days of fixing the place of residence | Municipality of the place of residence (submitting the residence card) |
| Notification of place of residence upon change of status, etc. | Art. 19-8, para. 1 | Within 14 days of fixing the place of residence (or of the date of permission if already fixed) | Municipality of the place of residence |
| Notification of change of place of residence (moving) | Art. 19-9, para. 1 | Within 14 days of moving into the new place of residence | Municipality of the new place of residence |
| Notification of change of items other than place of residence (name, date of birth, sex, country or region of nationality) | Art. 19-10, para. 1 | Within 14 days of the change | Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency (regional immigration office) |
| Notification on the affiliated (activity) organization | Art. 19-16, item 1 | Within 14 days of the event | Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency |
| Notification on the affiliated (contracting) organization | Art. 19-16, item 2 | Within 14 days of the event | Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency |
| Notification on the spouse | Art. 19-16, item 3 | Within 14 days of the event | Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency |
| Return of the residence card | Art. 19-15 | Within 14 days of the event causing invalidity (immediately in the cases of Art. 19-14, items 3 and 5) | Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency |
Notification of place of residence is made at the municipal office, and where the notification under the Basic Resident Registration Act is made by presenting the residence card, it is deemed to be the notification of place of residence (Article 19-7, paragraph 3; Article 19-9, paragraph 3).
The Three Types of Notification on Affiliated Organizations (Article 19-16)
The Immigration Services Agency organizes these into three categories.
| Item | Residence statuses covered | Events to be notified |
|---|---|---|
| Item 1 (activity organization) | Professor, Highly Skilled Professional (i)(c), Highly Skilled Professional (ii)(c), Business Manager, Legal/Accounting Services, Medical Services, Education, Intra-company Transferee, Technical Intern Training, Student, Trainee | Change of name or location of the activity organization, its dissolution, withdrawal from it, or transfer to another |
| Item 2 (contracting organization) | Highly Skilled Professional (i)(a)(b), Highly Skilled Professional (ii)(a)(b), Researcher, Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services, Nursing Care, Entertainer, Skilled Labor, Specified Skilled Worker | Change of name or location of the contracting organization, its dissolution, termination of the contract, or conclusion of a new contract |
| Item 3 (spouse) | Dependent (spouse engaging in daily activities as a spouse), Spouse or Child of Japanese National (holding the status of spouse), Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident (holding the status of spouse) | Divorce from or death of the spouse |
Filing may be done online through the Immigration Services Agency’s electronic notification system, in person at the nearest regional immigration office, or by post to the Tokyo Regional Immigration Services Bureau. A change of employer amounts to both “withdrawal / termination of the contract” and “transfer / conclusion of a new contract,” and the Agency’s Q&A states that the notification of a job change is required even if permission for extension of period of stay has been granted.
Item 3 is triggered by “divorce or bereavement.” Merely living apart is not itself a notifiable event, but continued separation may engage the ground for revocation in Article 22-4, paragraph 1, item 7 (six months) — the two points must be kept distinct.
What Happens If You Fail to Notify
The disadvantage is not limited to revocation.
| Violation | Penalty | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Failure to notify the place of residence in violation of Art. 19-7, para. 1 or Art. 19-8, para. 1 | Fine of not more than 200,000 yen | Art. 71-5, item 1 |
| Failure to notify the new place of residence in violation of Art. 19-9, para. 1 | Fine of not more than 200,000 yen | Art. 71-5, item 2 |
| Violation of Art. 19-10, para. 1, Art. 19-15 or Art. 19-16 | Fine of not more than 200,000 yen | Art. 71-5, item 3 |
| Making a false notification with respect to Arts. 19-7, 19-8, 19-9, 19-10 or 19-16 | Imprisonment for not more than one year or a fine of not more than 200,000 yen | Art. 71-2, item 1 |
In addition, compliance with laws and regulations is examined in applications for extension of period of stay and for permanent residence. The Agency’s Q&A likewise notes that failing to notify or making a false notification carries penalties and may also count against you in residence applications. Even where the deadline has been missed by a wide margin, you are asked to file promptly once you become aware of it. Filing late is better than not filing at all — that point is worth remembering.
What to Do First After Leaving a Job
For a holder of a work status who has left a job, the practical order is as follows.
1. File the notification on the contracting organization within 14 days
Termination of the contract is a notifiable event under Article 19-16, item 2. The notification is required on the fact of leaving alone, even if no new employer has been found. The electronic notification system is available around the clock, so the safest course is to file as soon as the leaving date is fixed.
2. Once a new employer is decided, consider applying for a Certificate of Authorized Employment
The Certificate of Authorized Employment is a document certifying the activities involving the management of business or the receipt of remuneration that the person is permitted to engage in (Article 19-2, paragraph 1). It lets you confirm whether the new job duties fall within the scope of your current residence status without waiting for the renewal. The fee is 2,000 yen for over-the-counter applications and 1,600 yen for online applications. Paragraph 2 of the same Article provides that no one may treat a foreign national disadvantageously on the ground that the certificate is not presented or submitted where the permitted activities are clear. For the overall procedure on changing jobs, see Procedures for Changing Jobs on the Engineer Visa | Notification, Certificate of Authorized Employment, Renewal.
3. If time passes without a new employer being decided
Keep the three-month period in Article 22-4, paragraph 1, item 6 in mind and record your job-hunting objectively. Preserve application histories, interview dates, correspondence with agents and the like in a form you can show later. If the outlook remains unclear as the three months approach, consider early — taking into account your remaining period of stay and your plans — options including a change of status of residence or preparation for departure.
Caution: “I still have a year left on my period of stay, so I am fine” is a mistaken understanding. Revocation under Article 22-4 operates regardless of how much of the period of stay remains.
Summary
- Revocation of residence status rests on Article 22-4 of the Immigration Control Act and is a different system from the revocation of permanent residence introduced by the 2024 amendment
- There are ten grounds; in practice item 6 (not engaging in the activity for three months or more) and item 5 account for roughly 90% of revocations
- Items 5 through 9 all carry “except where there is a justifiable reason,” and whether you can show it with materials is decisive
- The procedure includes a hearing of opinion at which the person or their representative may state opinions and submit evidence
- Every notification deadline is 14 days, which is a different standard from the 90 days in the grounds for revocation
- After leaving a job: first the notification within 14 days, then consideration of the Certificate of Authorized Employment
How We Can Help
For consultations on revocation of residence status, please leave it to the Kaneko Hidetaka Administrative Scrivener Office. We handle responses to a written notice of hearing, notifications after leaving a job or a divorce, and applications for a Certificate of Authorized Employment when changing jobs.
- 98% approval rate
- Languages: Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese, English
- Free initial consultation
- Nationwide service centered on Chiba and Tokyo (online consultations available)
Frequently asked questions
Within how many days after leaving a job must I file a notification?
You must file the notification on the contracting organization within 14 days from the day the contract with the organization ended (Article 19-16, item 2 of the Immigration Control Act). Failure to file is punishable by a fine of not more than 200,000 yen (Article 71-5, item 3).
If three months pass after I leave my job without finding a new one, will my residence status be revoked?
Article 22-4, paragraph 1, item 6 makes it a ground for revocation to stay in Japan without engaging in the activity corresponding to the residence status continuously for three months or more, except where there is a justifiable reason. The Immigration Services Agency Q&A gives as an example of a justifiable reason a case where the person is recognized as conducting concrete job-hunting activities, such as visiting companies in order to look for re-employment after leaving the previous workplace.
Will my residence status be revoked immediately after a divorce?
For Spouse or Child of Japanese National and Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident, the ground for revocation is staying in Japan without engaging in activities as a spouse continuously for six months or more (Article 22-4, paragraph 1, item 7), except where there is a justifiable reason. The Agency Q&A cites divorce mediation or divorce litigation in progress as examples. Separately, a notification on the spouse must be filed within 14 days of the divorce or bereavement (Article 19-16, item 3).
If my residence status is revoked, must I leave Japan immediately?
Under Article 22-4, paragraph 7, where the status is revoked on a ground other than items 1 and 2, a period necessary for departure not exceeding 30 days is designated. However, no period is designated where the revocation is under item 5 and there are reasonable grounds to suspect that the person will flee. Revocation under items 1 and 2 makes the person subject to deportation (Article 24, item 2-2).
Is this the same as the system for revocation of permanent residence?
No, it is a different system. This article concerns revocation of residence status under Article 22-4 of the Immigration Control Act, which differs in both legal basis and scope from the system for revocation of permanent residence introduced by the 2024 amendment. That said, permanent residents are also mid-to-long-term residents, so they fall within Article 22-4 as regards matters such as notification of place of residence.
Related articles
Why the Engineer Visa Is Harder for Vocational School Graduates | Proving the Link Between Coursework and Job Duties
The Immigration Services Agency guideline judges relevance "flexibly" for university majors but requires "a considerable degree of relevance" for vocational schools. This article explains how to prove that link by matching transcripts against employment contracts.
[2026] Summary of Immigration System Changes｜The Big Picture of What Changed This Year and What Is Coming
2026 is a year in which immigration system changes have been concentrated: higher residence fees, the launch of the Specified Residence Card, stricter Japanese-language checks for students, and more. This article organizes what changes when, both chronologically and by your situation, and guides you to the detailed article for each.
Extending a Dependent Visa｜Proving You Are "Supported" and What to Do When You No Longer Are
A statute-based guide to what the Immigration Services Agency examines when you extend a Dependent residence status: proof of dependency, the 28-hour weekly cap on activities outside the status qualification, and options when a child turns adult, starts work, or a marriage ends.
For Those Handling Residence Procedures in Chiba｜Which Immigration Office, Counter Hours, and Online Applications
A guide to the immigration offices with jurisdiction over Chiba Prefecture residents (the Chiba and Matsudo branch offices of the Tokyo Regional Immigration Services Bureau, and the main bureau in Shinagawa), their locations, counter hours, and when to use online applications — based on information published by the Immigration Services Agency.