Changing status of residence means switching from one visa category to a different one while you're already in Japan — most commonly, moving from a student visa to a work visa after graduating and landing a job, or from a work visa to a spouse visa after marrying.
The application is filed at your regional immigration bureau, similar in structure to a renewal but reviewed against the requirements of the new category rather than the one you currently hold. That means, for example, a student-to-work transition needs to satisfy all the same requirements a first-time Engineer/Specialist applicant would: a job offer matching your qualifications, an employer willing to act as sponsor, and the standard supporting documents.
Timing matters here more than in most other procedures. You need to apply for a change of status before your current period of stay expires — you can't simply let a student visa lapse and pick up a work visa afterward. Many people time this so the new employment starts close to graduation, filing the change-of-status application as soon as the job offer and required documents are in hand.
If approved, you're issued a new residence card reflecting the new status; if the application is pending when your old status expires, similar to renewals you typically retain lawful status for a short grace period while it's finalized — but the safest approach is always to apply as early as your circumstances allow.
Back to How to Apply.