JAPAN: Work Visa Oversight Tightened and New Residence Card System
Japan has implemented two major immigration changes in 2026 that affect both employers and foreign nationals. First, as of March 9, 2026, stricter rules now apply to Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services visa applications under dispatch or Employer of Record (EOR) arrangements, requiring licensed dispatch companies and client companies to submit formal pledges ensuring compliance. Second, beginning June 14, 2026, Japan will roll out a new residence management system featuring “Specified Residence Cards” that integrate My Number (national ID) functions and “New-Format Residence Cards,” streamlining administrative processes but adding complexity during the transition period.
