If you are currently living outside Japan and wish to stay in Japan for a long term, you need to apply for a specific visa status according to the purpose of your stay.
Visa procedures are generally divided into two categories:
- Short-term Stay (Temporary Visitor)
- Long-term Stay
Technically, the term “VISA” (ビザ・査証) refers to an entry visa, which is a permit required to enter Japan. However, in everyday use, “visa” often refers to “Visa Status” or “Residence Status” (在留資格), which indicates the purpose of your stay in Japan.
On this page, you will find an explanation of what a VISA actually means, and an overview of the process to come to Japan and live in Japan.
VISA (ビザ・査証) and VISA STATUS (在留資格)
Foreign nationals who wish to live in Japan for work, study, or other specific activities are required to obtain a Visa Status or Residence Status (在留資格 Zairyu-shikaku), which is designated by the Immigration Services Agency of Japan (the “Immigration Office”) based on the nature of their activities in Japan. A Visa Status is the legal permission to stay in Japan for a specific purpose during the approved period of stay.
In everyday use, a visa status is often referred to simply as a visa.
Technically, however, the term Visa (ビザ・査証) formally refers to a “permit to enter Japan”, not a permit to live or work in Japan”. Therefore, the term “visa status” or “residence status” is more accurate and appropriate when referring to 在留資格.
That said, immigration lawyers and other professionals may also use the word “visa” to refer to 在留資格 (visa status), depending on the context.
There are approximately 30 categories of visa statuses in Japan, each defined by the purpose and type of activity. You need to identify the category that best fits your situation. Each visa status has its own specific requirements, and you must meet those requirements as well as the general conditions set by the immigration authorities.
Jump to >> WHAT IS VISA STATUS?
TYPES of VISA
Short-term Stay (Temporary Visitor・短期滞在)
A Short-term Stay refers to a temporary visit to Japan for purposes such as sightseeing, visiting friends and relatives, or business activities (for example, attending meetings, conducting market research, or participating in conventions or exhibitions). This type of stay must not involve any paid work or income-generating activities in Japan.
To enter Japan for these purposes, you must obtain a visa (査証) under the Temporary Visitor visa status.
An application for a Temporary Visitor must be submitted to a Japanese Embassy or Consulate-General outside Japan (or to an authorized visa application agency in your country of residence). The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) is the government authority responsible for processing those applications. This type of visa cannot be applied for or processed at the Immigration Office in Japan. Therefore, you should contact the Japanese Embassy or Consulate-General in your country of residence for detailed information about the application procedure. Alternatively, you may use a licensed visa agency in your country that handles Temporary Visitor Visa applications.
As an exception, nationals of certain countries listed under the Visa Exemption Arrangements (jump to MOFA’s website) are exempted from obtaining a Temporary Visitor Visa, based on Japan’s bilateral agreements. If you are from a visa-exempt country, you do not need to apply for a Temporary Visitor Visa before coming to Japan – you may enter Japan without a visa and stay for the period permitted under the exemption arrangement.
For detailed information about the Temporary Visitor Visa Application, the list of visa exempted countries, refer to the MOFA website:
>> https://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/index.html
Long-term Stay or Stay for Work
A Long-term Stay or Stay for Work refers to a stay that is not covered by the Temporary Visitor visa.
In general, you must apply for a CERTIFICATE of ELIGIBILITY (COE) for a specific visa status before coming to Japan. This application is submitted through your Visa Sponsor/Proxy or representative in Japan – for example, a school, employer, organization, institution, relative, or immigration lawyer – depending on the type of visa you are applying for.
Before applying, you should determine the visa category that suits your situation and check whether you meet the requirements for that visa status.
The Immigration Office will issue the COE and grant a specific period of stay under the visa status, if they confirm that you are eligible and that your situation meets the basic criteria and requirements for that visa.
Once your COE is issued, you must apply for an entry visa with the COE at a Japanese Embassy or Consulate-General (or an authorized visa application agency in your country). After receiving the entry visa, you can travel to Japan with both the visa and the COE.
Upon arrival at a Japanese airport, you will be issued a RESIDENCE CARD (在留カード) at the immigration counter. You may stay in Japan until the expiry date indicated on the card, as long as you engage in the activities permitted under your visa status.
During the period of stay granted under your visa status, you may travel abroad and re-enter Japan as long as you have a RE-ENTRY PERMIT or SPECIAL RE-ENTRY PERMIT. You can extend your period of stay by applying for an EXTENSION of VISA STATUS (also called a “Visa Renewal”). Alternatively, if you change your activity and wish to engage in activities covered by a different visa status, you may apply for a CHANGE of VISA STATUS, as long as you meet the requirements.
Once you have received your Residence Card and start living in Japan, you are required to complete necessary administrative procedures, as well as visa-related procedures, as a long-term resident.
Check also >> WHAT IS VISA STATUS?
COE APPLICATION
COE (Certificate of Eligibility) is a certificate issued by the Immigration Office to confirm that you meet the eligibility requirements for a specific visa status you have applied for. It allows you to stay in Japan under that visa status for the period stated on the COE.
If you are outside Japan and plan to stay for a purpose that cannot be covered by a Temporary Visitor Visa, you must apply for a COE for the appropriate visa status that matches your intended purpose and situation in Japan through a VISA SPONSOR / PROXY living in Japan.
The first step in applying for a COE is to identify the appropriate visa status for your purpose of stay in Japan, understand the basic criteria, and check whether you (and your visa sponsor, if applicable) can meet the required conditions.
For more details about the COE Application process, refer to the following page >> COE APPLICATION
RESIDENCE CARD
After you enter Japan with a COE, you will receive a RESIDENCE CARD at the airport immigration counter upon arrival.
Your visa status and related information, such as your period of stay and date of expiry, are shown on your Residence Card. You must submit the required applications or notifications when any of the information written on the card changes.
For cirtain visa status, such as Designated Activities, a slip titled “Designation / 指定書” will be stapled on your passport. This designation serves as an additional document to confirm the specific details of your authorized activities under that visa status. You must keep this slip together with your Residence Card as long as the card remains valid.
For more details about the Residence Card, refer to the following page >> RESIDENCE CARD
VISA SPONSOR / PROXY
The term “VISA SPONSOR” in this context does not refer to a person who is required to provide financial support for the applicant’s stay in Japan.
In immigration procedures, a visa sponsor generally refers to a person, organization, company, or school that invites the applicant to Japan for a specific purpose of stay and acts as a proxy in the application process.
Especially in the case of a COE application where the applicant is still outside Japan, there must be someone in Japan who invites the applicant. A visa sponsor or proxy is the person (or organization) who invites the applicant to Japan and applies for – and receives – the COE on behalf of the applicant as the inviting party in Japan.
The application must be submitted while either the applicant or the visa sponsor/proxy is physically present in Japan at the time of submission, even if an immigration lawyer is hired to handle the application.
A COE application must be filed in the name of one of the following:
- A visa sponsor or proxy in Japan who invites the applicant to Japan; or
- The applicant himself or herself, if the applicant is staying in Japan and intends to invite himself or herself.
An immigration lawyer cannot be your visa sponsor or proxy
An Immigration lawyer can assist you or your visa sponsor/proxy by checking the requirements, preparing documents, submitting the application on your or your sponsor’s behalf, and communicating with the Immigration Office during the application process.
However, generally, an immigration lawyer cannot directly act as your visa sponsor or proxy, because the visa application must be filed in the name of the applicant himself or herself, or an inviting person or organization related to the application.
Who can be your visa sponsor or proxy?
The person who can serve as your visa sponsor or proxy is determined by the category of visa status you are applying for, and it may vary depending on the situation.
Most importantly, a COE application can only be submitted when either the applicant or the visa sponsor/proxy is physically present in Japan, even if you or your sponsor hire a qualified professional such as our office.
If you are applying for a work-type visa status, your visa sponsor or proxy must be the representative or the person in charge of your application at the inviting company, organization, or institution. Before applying, you must first find an employer in Japan who is willing to hire you and to act as you visa sponsor.
If you are applying for a family-related visa status, such as Long-term Resident (2nd or 3rd generation Japanese, etc.), your visa sponsor or proxy must be your a relative (親族) living in Japan.
If you wish to engage in studying or learning something in Japan – such as Japanese Language, Karate, Judo, Soroban, Shuji, Ikebana, or Sado – which are traditional or culturally distinctive activities applicable to a Cultural Activities visa status, the person in charge of your visa application at the inviting organization, institute, or school must serve as your visa sponsor or proxy. You must find an organization that is willing to accept you as a student and to act as you visa sponsor for your COE application.
In case of a COE application based on a newly established business entity in Japan – such as a representative office, branch office, or subsidiary/company – if there is no staff member or person residing in Japan who can act as your visa sponsor or proxy, you must come to Japan personally submit your application as the representative of the inviting entity. The COE application must be submitted while you are physically present in Japan. You may leave Japan after submitting the application and wait for the COE outside Japan during the screening process. Alternatively, you may remain in Japan until the expiration date of your Temporary Visitor Visa.
GUARANTOR
Generally, visa applications for residential statuses or Permanent Resident require a guarantor. On the other hand, work-type visa statuses, such as Engineer/Humanities, do not require one.
A guarantor must be a Japanese national or a Permanent Resident who is living in Japan
Responsibility of Guarantor
A guarantor for immigration purposes is not responsible for any civil obligations stipulated under the Civil Code of Japan. However, the guarantor is required to pledge the following responsibilities to the Minister of Justice.
- To provide necessary logistical support for the applicant during his/her stay in Japan, if required.
- To assist the applicant with the cost of return travel (repatriation), if necessary.
- To provide guidance and support for the applicant to comply with Japanese laws and regulations.
The Immigration Office has no legal authority over a guarantor’s responsibilities. Its role is limited to instructing the guarantor to fulfill their commitments if the guarantor fails to do so. However, a guarantor who does not fulfill their responsibilities may lose eligibility to act as a guarantor in any future visa application. l
A garantor must sign the Letter of Guarantee and provide identification, such as a copy of a Japanese driver’s license or Certificate of Residence (住民票 / Juminhyo).
Who can be your Guarantor?
A guarantor must be a person living in Japan and must be either a Japanese national or a Permanent Resident.
There are no requirements regarding income, civil status, or qualifications, and there is no prescribed limit on the number of guarantors. However, the Immigration Office may take these factors into consideration when deciding whether to approve a visa application. If the Immigration Office determines that a guarantor is unable to fulfill their responsibilities, the application may be declined.
From the Immigration Office’s point of view, a guarantor is expected to provide the applicant with financial and moral support when necessary. Therefore, individuals who are not financially stable (e.g., have no income or employment) or who neglect their civic duties (such as failing to pay taxes) are considered unsuitable to act a guarantors. A guarantor should be a responsible citizen, and it is preferable for the guarantor to have a specific relationship with the applicant.
Examples of Guarantorss
- PERMANENT RESIDENT application: A Japanese national or Permanent Resident who is applicant’s parent, relative, employer, colleague, friend, teacher etc.
- SPOUSE/CHILD of JAPANESE or SPOUSE/CHILD of PERMANENT RESIDENT application: The Japanese spouse or parent of the applicant.
- LONG-TERM RESIDENT (e.g., 3rd Generation Japanese): A Japanese national or Permanent Resident who is applicant’s parent, relative, employer of a relatives, or prospective employer.
- LONG-TERM RESIDENT application (e.g., Spouse of 2nd/3rd Generation Japanese): The 2nd/3rd Generation Japanese spouse
RELATED APPLICATION / NOTIFICATION
Once you obtain your Residence Card, you must complete the necessary immigration and general administrative procedures required of residents in Japan.
Typical visa and immigration related procedures include:
- Extension of Period of Stay (VISA Renewal)
- Change of VISA Status
- Application for Re-enter Permit
- Permission to Engage in Other Activities
- Notification of Change of Contracting Organization, etc.
For more details of APPLICATION / NOTIFICATION, jump to the following webpage >> APPLICATION / NOTIFICATION