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IS FEBRUARY - MARCH REALLY BUSY SEASON FOR IMMIGRATION?
It has been two months now since then, and they still have no update, even like follow-up update like submit other requirements etc. There's total no updates from Immigration. Is this normal? Because I am currently student, and I don't really have the motivation to attend classes anymore, also because I have quitted my part time job expecting I could start by April.
IS FEBRUARY - MARCH REALLY BUSY SEASON FOR IMMIGRATION?
February through March is actually a pretty standard crunch time for Immigration Services Agency in Tokyo. You've got all the university graduates converting from student to work visas, plus the April intake of new hires needing their statuses sorted. Two months with no word is longer than typical, but not unheard of when they're buried under applications from the big companies that all submit at the same time.
Your lawyer should be able to check the status through the online system or by calling the Shinagawa office directly. They can see if it's just sitting in a pile or if there's been any movement. I'd push them to do that rather than just waiting, because you're stuck in limbo and your employer is probably wondering when you can start.
In the meantime, don't quit your part-time job yet if you can help it. The immigration office can take up to three months during this period, and you'll need that income and your student status to stay valid while you wait. I've seen people get caught out by quitting everything and then the visa takes another six weeks.
Two months with no movement is a bit longer than usual even for this time of year. The Shinagawa office is definitely swamped with all the April start applicants, but the real bottleneck often happens after they assign your application to an examiner, which can take weeks on its own.
The bigger concern here is that your lawyer should have given you a receipt number or a reference ID when they submitted. With that number you can check the status online through the Immigration Services Agency portal yourself, it's in Japanese but straightforward. If they didn't give you one, that's a red flag worth pushing back on.
Don't let your student status lapse in the meantime. If your university reports you for non-attendance, immigration can deny your change of status even after the work visa is approved. I've seen that happen to a friend who stopped going to classes in March and had to start the whole process over from his home country.
Yeah, February to March is when immigration gets slammed in Tokyo. All the April hires and April university grads submit around the same time, so the Shinagawa office gets backed up. Two months without a peep is long but not impossible during that window.
Your lawyer can actually check the status online through the Immigration Services Agency portal. They should be able to see if your application is just queued or if there's been any review. Push them to do that instead of waiting blindly, because you need to know if there's a missing document issue.
Keep going to class and keep that part-time job if you can. Your current student visa is still your valid status until immigration approves the change. If you stop attending school and your university reports you, that could cause problems even after your work visa comes through. I've seen people get stuck that way.
Where to Stay in Tokyo (2026)
Shinjuku is perfect for first-timers who want nonstop energy, neon lights, and endless dining options. Budget travelers can stay near Shinjuku Station for easy acce… 🏙️ Shinjuku: The Heart of Tokyo
Shinjuku is perfect for first-timers who want nonstop energy, neon lights, and endless dining options. Budget travelers can stay near Shinjuku Station for easy access to the Yamanote Line, with hostels like Khaosan Tokyo Kabuki starting around $30 per night. For a splurge, the Park Hyatt Tokyo offers skyline views from $500 per night.
🌸 Shibuya: Trendy and Youthful
Shibuya is ideal for nightlife lovers and fashion-forward visitors, with the iconic Scramble Crossing right outside your door. Mid-range hotels like the Shibuya Excel Hotel Tokyu run $150-250 per night, while capsule hotels like Nine Hours Shibuya offer a budget option at $40. Families might prefer quieter streets just a 10-minute walk from the station.
🏯 Asakusa: Traditional and Budget-Friendly
Asakusa offers a glimpse of old Tokyo with Senso-ji Temple and Nakamise Street, perfect for culture seekers and families. Budget ryokans like Ryokan Asakusa Shigetsu start at $80 per night, including a traditional breakfast. The area is quieter at night, so night owls may want to stay closer to Ueno or Akihabara.
🌳 Ueno: Family-Friendly and Cultural
Ueno is excellent for families thanks to Ueno Park, the zoo, and several museums all within walking distance. Hotels like the Ueno Station Hostel Oriental I offer dorm beds from $25, while the Mitsui Garden Hotel Ueno costs around $120 per night. The area is well-connected by JR and metro lines, making day trips easy.
💻 Shibuya and Shinjuku for Digital Nomads
Digital nomads should look at Shibuya or Shinjuku for coworking spaces and reliable Wi-Fi. The Shibuya Stream building has a free coworking lounge, and nearby cafes like Fuglen Tokyo offer strong coffee and outlets. Monthly apartment rentals via services like Sakura House start around $1,000 in these areas.
🌆 Roppongi: Nightlife and Luxury
Roppongi is the go-to for upscale nightlife, with clubs like V2 Tokyo and high-end bars. Luxury hotels such as the Grand Hyatt Tokyo start at $400 per night, while business hotels like the Roppongi Plaza Hotel offer rooms from $100. The area is also close to art museums like Mori Art Museum.
🚃 Getting Around: Station Proximity Matters
Staying near a Yamanote Line station (Shinjuku, Shibuya, Tokyo, Ueno) saves time and money on transit. A 24-hour metro pass costs 800 yen and covers Tokyo Metro and Toei lines. Avoid staying too far from a station, as taxis are expensive (starting at 420 yen for the first kilometer).
💰 Price Tiers and Budget Tips
Budget travelers can find capsule hotels or hostels for $20-40 per night in areas like Asakusa or Ueno. Mid-range business hotels (Toyoko Inn, APA Hotels) average $80-120 per night. For luxury, expect $300-600 per night in central districts. Book early for cherry blossom season (late March to early April).
honestly the guide nailed it but i'd throw in nakameguro for anyone visiting in spring. the canal walk during cherry blossom season is insane, way less crowded than ueno or shinjuku gyoen. plus there's a killer onigiri spot called Onigiri Bongo that sells out by noon, and the area has a ton of tiny wine bars and vintage shops. rooms at the Claska hotel start around $120 and it's a quick hop to shibuya on the tokyu line
solid write-up, covers the big ones well. for my money, if you're a food nerd, staying near a good tsukemen or ramen spot is a legit strategy. i booked a hotel in takadanobaba once just cause i wanted to be walking distance from Taishoken, the tsukemen birthplace. that area is also full of student bars and cheap eats since Waseda Uni is there, rooms at the b:CONTE hotel run like $90 a night and it's two stops from Shinjuku on the Yamanote. way less tourist crush than Shibuya for late-night bowls
This is a solid breakdown, really covers the main bases well. One thing I'd add for anyone staying in Shinjuku is that the station itself can be overwhelming even for locals, so picking a hotel on the west side near the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building is a good hack. The views from the free observation deck there are just as good as the paid ones, and you avoid the chaos of the east exit. For cheap eats in that area, the basement floor of Takashimaya department store has incredible takeout bento boxes under 1,000 yen that beat most convenience store meals.