Work or Long-Term Stay
2025/3/5
Who can apply for a Work or Long-Term Stay Visa
Only applicants holding a CERTIFICATE OF ELIGIBILITY are eligible for a Work and Long-term visa.
Applicants are usually:
Please visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan for the requirements for other types of visas for long-term stay (as applicable).
For more information on visas for professionals, please see the Japan System for Special Highly-Skilled Professionals (J-Skip).
What is a Certificate of Eligibility
A Certificate of Eligibility (COE), which is issued by a regional immigration authority under the jurisdiction of the Immigration Services Agency of Japan, certifies that the foreign national conforms to the conditions for landing in Japan (which means that the activity stated in the application is not false and it is appropriate as stipulated in the Immigration Control Act). A proxy in Japan can make an application for a COE.
For more details about the Certificate of Eligibility, please check the website of the Immigration Services Agency of Japan.
*Please click on the “OK” button when the pop-up message regarding translations appears at the top of the screen. Then, click the “日本語” button (displayed bottom left) and change it to English.
Questions about how to obtain a Certificate of Eligibility can be submitted through a Regional Immigration Office in Japan.
Only applicants holding a CERTIFICATE OF ELIGIBILITY are eligible for a Work and Long-term visa.
Applicants are usually:
- Students
- Professionals who will work in Japan for an extended period
- Spouses or children of Japanese nationals
Please visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan for the requirements for other types of visas for long-term stay (as applicable).
For more information on visas for professionals, please see the Japan System for Special Highly-Skilled Professionals (J-Skip).
What is a Certificate of Eligibility
A Certificate of Eligibility (COE), which is issued by a regional immigration authority under the jurisdiction of the Immigration Services Agency of Japan, certifies that the foreign national conforms to the conditions for landing in Japan (which means that the activity stated in the application is not false and it is appropriate as stipulated in the Immigration Control Act). A proxy in Japan can make an application for a COE.
For more details about the Certificate of Eligibility, please check the website of the Immigration Services Agency of Japan.
*Please click on the “OK” button when the pop-up message regarding translations appears at the top of the screen. Then, click the “日本語” button (displayed bottom left) and change it to English.
Questions about how to obtain a Certificate of Eligibility can be submitted through a Regional Immigration Office in Japan.
Work; Long Term Stay; Spouses/Children of Japanese Nationals
Documents to be provided by visa applicant
NOTE
A Certificate of Eligibility does not guarantee the issuance of a visa.
- A valid passport with at least two (2) facing blank pages
- One passport photograph (45mm x 35mm) taken within the last six (6) months with a white background.
- A completed and signed visa application form: Visa Application Form
- A copy of an additional form of Government identification (e.g. driver’s license, electoral registration card, etc.)
- Intended flight itinerary/reservation (from country of residence to Japan)
- A copy of the Certificate of Eligibility or electronically issued Certificate of Eligibility
NOTE
A Certificate of Eligibility does not guarantee the issuance of a visa.