Japanese Japan work and long-term stay visas

Who can apply

• People planning to work in Japan
• Students planning to study in Japan (college or pre-college)
• People joining family in Japan on a dependent/family route

What you can do

• Live, work, study or join family in Japan under the relevant long-term category, per the official conditions

Requirements

• Your intended activity in Japan must fall within one of the recognised long-term categories — work, student (college or pre-college), trainee, or dependent/family
• You must, in principle, first obtain a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) confirming you meet the landing conditions for that status of residence
• You must hold a valid passport and apply for the visa at a Japanese diplomatic mission after the COE is issued

How to apply

Long-term routes generally follow two steps. First, a Certificate of Eligibility is obtained from the Regional Immigration Bureau in Japan — usually applied for by a proxy in Japan such as your employer, school or family member. Since 17 March 2023 the COE can be issued by email and the landing application made by presenting that email. Second, you apply for the visa at the Japanese embassy or consulate responsible for your area, presenting the COE; standard examination takes about 5 working days.

• Identify the long-term status of residence that matches your situation on the official long-term-stay pages
• Have your sponsor in Japan (employer, school or relative) apply for the Certificate of Eligibility at the Regional Immigration Bureau
• Receive the COE (by post or email)
• Apply for the visa at the Japanese embassy or consulate with the COE and supporting documents
• Collect the visa, then enter Japan and receive your residence card / status of residence

Documents you may need

• A valid passport
• Completed visa application form and a passport-style photograph
• The Certificate of Eligibility (original or the email version)
• Documents specific to your category (for example, an employment contract and company documents for work routes, or a letter of admission for study)
• Any additional documents required by the embassy or consulate on a case-by-case basis