Tempolary Visitor visa (Tourist visa) cannot be changed to a medium or long-term visa.

“I am currently in Japan on a Tempolary Visitor visa (Tourist visa). Can I change to another visa?"

This is a very common question, but the answer is that it is not possible to change from a Tempolary Visitor visa (Tourist visa) to another long-term visa.

Even if you apply for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) before the expiration ofTempolary Visitor visa (Tourist visa) and receive it, for a work visa, you are required to return to your home country and apply for a visa at your country’s embassy.

If you have a visa related to status such as a Spouse of Japanese or Spouse of Permanent Resident, or a Long Term Resident, you can apply for a Certificate of Eligibility during your Tempolary Visitor visa (Tourist visa) period and attach it to your application for a long-term visa.

In the first place, many people who ask such questions as “I am currently in Japan on a Tempolary Visitor visa (Tourist visa). Can I change to another visa?" don’t seem to understand that there are over 25 types of visas in Japan, each with its own purposes and conditions for acquisition.

Also, if you want a long-term visa, you should prepare carefully before coming to Japan, but some people decide they want a long-term visa after arriving in Japan, which means they don’t have enough time to prepare for the application.

There is one important note: if you apply for a Certificate of Eligibility during your Short-Term Stay, you cannot extend your Tempolary Visitor visa (Tourist visa). Some people want to stay in Japan until the result of their application is announced, but that is not possible."