​FAQ

Advisory services play a vital role in providing advice to individuals and businesses on legal issues and procedures they face.

Specifically, in the case of procedures related to various nationalities, we can provide advice on obtaining residence status and naturalization applications for them.

This will include detailed instructions on the necessary documents and procedures.

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■ Consultation

Q. Are inquiries and estimates free of charge?

Yes. General inquiries and fee estimates are free of charge. Please feel free to reach out via our contact form or email (imamura@aegis-visa.com). We will review your situation and provide an overview of the process and estimated costs.

For a consultation meeting (in person, online, or by phone), the fee is ¥10,000 for up to one hour, with an additional ¥5,000 for every 30 minutes thereafter (excluding tax).

Q. What happens to the consultation fee if I formally engage your services?

If you decide to proceed with a formal engagement, the consultation fee you paid will be fully credited toward the retainer fee. In effect, there is no additional cost for the consultation.

Q. What is the consultation process?

① Inquiry — Contact us via our contact form or email to describe your situation (inquiries and estimates are free of charge)

② Initial assessment — We will review your case and provide an overview of the process and estimated costs by email

③ Consultation meeting — If a more detailed discussion is needed, we arrange an in-person or online meeting (¥10,000 for up to one hour, excl. tax)

④ Formal engagement — Once you are satisfied, we execute an engagement agreement and begin working on your case

Q. Can I consult online?

Yes. We offer consultations via Zoom and other video conferencing platforms. Online meetings are available for clients who are unable to visit our office, including those living in other regions of Japan or overseas.

Q. Can I consult from outside Japan?

Yes. We are happy to assist clients residing overseas through email and online consultations. We will accommodate time zone differences when scheduling. Certain procedures, such as the Certificate of Eligibility (COE) application, can be carried out even while you are abroad.

Q. Are consultations available on weekends, holidays, or in the evening?

With prior appointment, we do our best to accommodate consultations on weekends, holidays, and during evening hours. Please contact us by email with your preferred date and time.

■ Fees

Q. How much does it cost to formally engage your services?

Fees are determined based on the outcome and complexity of each case, so we provide a tailored estimate for every engagement. Inquiries and estimates are free of charge, so please do not hesitate to reach out.

As a reference, the standard fees for Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services and Intra-company Transferee categories are as follows (excluding tax):

・Certificate of Eligibility (COE) application: ¥100,000 – ¥150,000

・Change of residence status: ¥100,000 – ¥150,000

・Extension of period of stay: ¥50,000 (no job change) / ¥80,000 (with job change)

・Complex cases: ¥200,000 – ¥500,000 depending on the circumstances

For cases involving special circumstances or requiring extensive time, a separate estimate will be provided.

Q. What is included in the fee, and what costs are separate?

Included in our fee: Preparation of application documents, review and organization of supporting documents, submission of applications to the Immigration Services Agency on your behalf, and communication with the authorities during the review process.

Charged separately:

・Consumption tax (10%)

・Government fees, revenue stamps, registration and license tax, notary fees

・Postage and other disbursements for obtaining documents

・Travel and accommodation expenses for cases requiring travel to distant locations

Q. What are the payment terms?

Half of the total fee, plus disbursements (government fees, registration and license tax, revenue stamps, postage, etc.), are due as a retainer upon signing the engagement agreement. The remaining balance is payable upon completion of the matter. Payment is made by bank transfer.

■ Our Services

Q. What services do you offer?

We specialize in immigration matters (residence status and visa-related procedures) and handle a wide range of cases, including:

・Certificate of Eligibility (COE) applications — for those seeking a new residence status in Japan

・Change of residence status — switching from one visa category to another

・Extension of period of stay — renewing your current residence status

・Permanent residence applications

・Business Manager visa — including company establishment and business plan support

・Naturalization applications — acquiring Japanese nationality

・Visa applications

・Administrative appeals — as a Certified Specified Administrative Scrivener, we can file appeals against denied applications

If your case does not fall into the categories above, please feel free to contact us — we may still be able to assist.

Q. What is "application agency" (shinsei toritsugui)?

Application agency is a system that allows a registered administrative scrivener to submit immigration applications on behalf of the applicant. This means you do not need to visit the Immigration Services Agency in person. Our representative is a registered immigration application agent.

Q. What happens if my application is denied?

In the event of a denial, we will analyze the reasons provided by the Immigration Services Agency and discuss whether reapplication or other remedies are viable. Our representative holds the Certified Specified Administrative Scrivener qualification and can advise on available options, including whether an administrative appeal may be pursued.

Q. Do you work with other professionals?

Yes. Depending on the nature of the case, we collaborate with attorneys, tax accountants, social insurance consultants, and other professionals to provide comprehensive support. We coordinate on your behalf so that your matter is handled seamlessly.

■ Languages & Service Area

Q. Do you provide services in English?

Yes. We offer full support in both Japanese and English, including email correspondence, consultations, and document preparation.

Q. What areas do you serve?

We serve clients throughout Japan. In-person meetings are available for those in the greater Tokyo area, while clients in other regions can take advantage of our online consultation services. Applications are primarily filed with the Tokyo Regional Immigration Services Bureau, though we handle cases at other regional bureaus as needed.

If you have any questions not covered here, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Email: imamura@aegis-visa.com

Phone: +81-3-6893-0392