Hello.
I need to change my visa in Japan from student to worker. Then I've been wanted to try the online system has it is super attractive for me who live far (2hours) from the immigration office.
But, it might not be the best option for you. I hope someone else can reconsider when using this option carefully (please don't do stupid things like I did).
I tried this online system at the end of February 2026. In my case, it is not a big problem: there is no timeout error, and I can use my phone to read my number card. The thing is, I stupidly misunderstood the system, thinking uploading a file could be done in the next step. I click the submit button, and then it is accepted without uploading important information from my office (in my case, changing from a student visa to a worker visa).
My number has been registered, and I only get one email saying that my application has been accepted. I have been waiting for a week, but there has been no response from them.
I then went to the closest immigration office (Mito, Tokyo immigration branch), but they know nothing about the online system and cannot do anything. I then call the Tokyo Immigration office in Shinagawa but they are super busy.
Because I can't do anything in Mito, I go to the immigration office in Shinagawa to hand them the required documents. They accepted it but didn't check any documents. My Japanese is so bad that I couldn't ask for better checking on my online application, which worries me a lot.
It is much more convenient to just come to the immigration office and submit the required documents.
The thing is, if I applied online, I cannot apply in person by bringing documents because it's already registered. But the procedure for cancelling the online application is also not easy. This is a bit of a long, tiring day for me, so maybe that's why I can't clearly think during the process.
I wonder how long it took you guys to get a response from the staff who checked your documents in the email after the online application? I've been waiting for them to check whether my documents are okay. It's only been a week, but it's confusing for me.
by Lopsided-Action7366