Updating Dependent’s Japanese Immigration Status to Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) Status

This section describes the procedures to adjust your Japanese immigration status to SOFA status. Please note that these procedures are not applicable to Japanese nationals.

Dependents of members of the U.S. armed forces and civilian components are eligible to acquire SOFA status. Dependents under SOFA are defined as spouses, children under 21 or parents and children over 21 if dependent for over half of their support upon their sponsor.

By adjusting your immigration status to SOFA status, you become entitled to SOFA benefits, but forfeit your current Japanese immigration status and any rights associated with it.

If you are a Japanese Permanent Resident, you cannot also acquire SOFA status. To switch to SOFA status, you will be required to relinquish your Japanese permanent residency. You will not automatically regain your permanent residency status unless you satisfy the requirements under the Japanese Immigration Act. The procedures to switch your status from permanent resident to SOFA status differs from the one described in this handout. For more information, please contact your local legal assistance office.

If you are under Japanese immigration status other than Permanent Resident, you may switch your status to SOFA status by following the steps outlined below:

1. Complete the attached USFJ Form 8EJ, Confirmation of Eligibility under SOFA, and have your sponsor’s command complete the backside of the form under “For the United States.”

**Link for pdf – Updating Dependent’s SOFA Status*

2. Visit the local Japanese Immigration Office with the following items:

- Valid passport

- Dependent ID card

- Completed USFJ Form 8Ej

- Letter of dependency (for military member’s dependents)

- Residence card (if applicable)

- Letter of employment with dependent information (for civilian employee’s dependents)

- Certificate of permission to engage in more activities than allowed by their visa (if applicable)

- Although these documents are not required, they may be requested by your local Japanese Immigration Office

3. Receive the completed USFJ Form 8EJ from the Japanese Immigration Office. If you provided your resident card to the immigration officer, request your now invalidated resident card to be returned to you.

4. Obtain a “multiple exit/reentry” stamp on your passport by bringing your 1) USFJ Form 8EJ; 2) passport; 3) letter of dependency (or letter of employment for civilian employees); and 4) invalidated Japanese resident card (if applicable) to the following:

Reference: USFJ Instruction 36-2611, 15 June 2018, Change of Status by Persons in Japan to one of the Categories Authorized by the Status of Forces Agreement

Japanese Immigration Information Center: 03-5796-7112 / 0570-013-904 (0830-1715 weekdays)

List of Regional Immigration Offices: https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/about/region/

Yokohama District Immigration Office

Office hours: 0900-1600 (except for Sat, Sun and national holidays)

Yokohama Office

Location: 10-7 Torihama-cho, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa

Telephone number: 045-769-1729

https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/about/region/yokohama/

1. Go to the 2nd floor, and you will find the station #1 “Information Center”.
2. Tell them you want to switch to SOFA status and they will give you 2 forms.
3. Go to station #5 “Information”, and get a ticket at touch screen kiosk.
4. Fill out the 2 forms while you are waiting to be called.

Fukuoka Regional Immigration Services Bureau

Office hours: 0900-1200, and 1300-1600 (except for Sat, Sun and national holidays)

Fukuoka Office, Status Department

Location: Fukuoka Legal Affairs Government Complex No.1 3-5-25, Maizuru, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka

Telephone number: 092-717-7595

Nagasaki Branch Office

Location: Nagasaki Port Joint Government Bldg., 7-29 Matsugaeda-machi, Nagasaki City, Nagasaki

Telephone number: 095-822-5289

Saga Branch Office

Location: 6th floor, Saga 2nd Joint Government Building 3-3-20 Ekimae-Chuo, Saga City, Saga

Telephone number: 0952-36-6262

https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/about/region/fukuoka/index.html