APPLICATION / NOTIFICATION

INTRODUCTION WHAT IS VISA STATUS? LIST OF VISA STATUS COE (CERTIFICATE of ELIGIBILITY) is a certificate that the Immigration Office issues to acknowledge your eligibility for an appropriate visa status, as claimed in your application. It certifies that you are eligible to stay in Japan under that visa status for the specific period(s) stated on the COE. If you are living outside Japan and plan to stay in Japan for a purpose that is not applicable to a Temporary Visitor Visa, you must apply for a COE for the visa status appropriate to your intended activity. In principle, a COE application should be filed through a visa sponsor or proxy living in Japan >> VISA SPONSOR/PROXY INTRODUCTION In case you are new to the Japanese immigration system, it is helpful to first check the INTRODUCTION page to get an overview of visas, types of visa status, and visa sponsor or proxy before learning about the COE application. >> Jump to INTRODUCTION page FIND VISA STATUS TO APPLY FOR VISA STATUS There are about 30 different categories of VISA STATUS in Japan. Each categories is based on your purpose purpose and activities in Japan, and each has its own requirements and ...

INTRODUCTION WHAT IS VISA STATUS? LIST OF VISA STATUS If you are currently staying in Japan with a certain VISA STATUS and already hold a RESIDENCE CARD, but intend to engage in an activity that is not permitted under your current visa, you are required to apply for a CHANGE of VISA STATUS before starting that new activity. You cannot engage in any activities that are not permitted under your current visa status, or apply for permission to work in a different field. If you wish to continue staying in Japan but plan to engage in a different type of activity, you should first consider whether there is another visa status suitable for your situation, and whether you meet its requirements, before changing your activity. If your new activity is within the same category as that allowed under your current visa status, you don't need to apply for a Change of Visa Status – except for certain visa types such as the Highly Skilled Professional (HSP) or others that specifically require this application. However, it is important to confirm that your new job duties are indeed appropriate for your current visa status. EXAMPLE SITUATIONS Here are some examples of situations ...

INTRODUCTION WHAT IS VISA STATUS? LIST OF VISA STATUS If you are currently residing in Japan and hold a Residence Card, you are permitted to stay in Japan and engage in the activities allowed under your visa status until the expiry date indicated on your Residence Card. If you wish to continue your stay and activities beyond this date, you should apply for an EXTENSION of PERIOD of STAY (VISA RENEWAL) before your current visa expires. If you fail to submit the application before the expiry date stated on your current Residence Card, your visa status will no longer be valid, and your stay may be considered as illegal. WHEN and WHERE TO APPLY When to Apply You can apply for an Extension of Period of Stay up to 3 months before the expiry date of your current visa. Once your application is submitted, you may continue to stay in Japan under your current visa status until the Grace/Special Period ends. In some cases, the Immigration Office may accept your applications submitted earlier than 3 months before the expiry date, but only if you have a valid reason. In such cases, you must include a letter explaining your reason. Where ...

INTRODUCTION WHAT IS VISA STATUS? LIST OF VISA STATUS Residence Card holders (* see EXCEPTION below) are allowed to travel outside Japan and reenter Japan during the period of stay granted under their visa status.However, to reenter Japan while your visa status remains valid, you must obtain a reentry permit before leaving Japan. You are also required to carry your Residence Card with you when traveling abroad. (* EXCEPTION: Holders of a Temporary Visitor visa and any visa with a period of stay of 3 months or less.) There are 2 types of reentry permits, depending on the duration of your stay outside Japan: SPECIAL RE-ENTRY PERMIT (みなし再入国許可) RE-ENTRY PERMIT (再入国許可) SPECIAL RE-ENTRY PERMIT What Is It? The Special Re-entry Permit (みなし再入国許可) allows a Residence Card holder to leave Japan and reenter before the earlier of the following dates: The day one year after your departure from Japan, The expiry date (満了日) of your current visa as stated on your Residence Card, or The day that the Grace Period ends if you apply for a Change of Visa Status or an Extension of Period of Stay before departing Japan. If you plan to stay outside Japan for more than one ...

INTRODUCTION WHAT IS VISA STATUS? LIST OF VISA STATUS PERMISSION to ENGAGE in OTHER ACTIVITY ("SHIKAKUGAI KATSUDO KYOKA / 資格外活動許可" in Japanese) is a special permission granted to foreign residents in Japan that allows them to engage in activities outside the scope of their current visa status, within the limits specified by the Immigration Office. However, note that type of activity and the period or conditions of work permitted vary depending on each individual case. There are 2 types of permission depending on your situation: INCLUSIVE (blanket) permission and EXCLUSIVE permission. Depending on your current visa status and circumstances that require this permission, the immigration Office may grant you either INCLUSIVE permission or EXCLUSIVE permission (or, in rare cases, both). Note that holders of a work visa are generally not eligible to obtain this permission for simple part-time jobs, such as cashiering, waiting tables, or packing. THOSE WHO ARE NOT REQUIRED TO OBTAIN THIS PERMISSION Those who hold one of the following visa statuses do not need this special permission, as they are allowed to engage in any type of work at any time: Permanent Resident Long-term Resident (Teiju-sha) Child or Spouse of Japanese Child or Spouse of Permanent Resident ...

There no expiration of the period of stay for Permanent Resident and HSP2 visa holders, as these statuses are granted with an indefinite period of stay. You don't need to apply for an Extension of Period of Stay (Visa Renewal) any more. However, the Residence Card for Permanent Resident and HSP2 visa holders (hereinafter referred to as the "PR Residence Card") has its validity period. You are required to renew the Residence Card in every seven (7) years. IF YOU ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH VISA PROCEDURES IN JAPAN, JUMP TO THE INTRODUCTORY PAGES BELOW FIRST: INTRODUCTION WHAT IS VISA STATUS? LIST OF VISA STATUS PERSON SUBJECT to the APPLICATION Holders of visa statuses with an indefinite period of stay, such as Permanent Resident and HSP2. PERIOD of VALIDITY PR Residence Card is valid for a specific period, as shown below: Residence Card issued on/from November 1st, 2023 AgePermanent ResidentHSP216 or older　　　　7 years from Date of Issue of the card　　　　　Under 16　　　　　Until the day before 16th Birthday Residence Card issued on/by October 31st, 2023 AgePermanent ResidentHPS216 or older　　　　7 years from Date of Issue of the card　　　　　Under 16　　　　　Until 16th Birthday You can confirm the expiry date of PR Residence Card on your residence ...

Residence Card holders staying in Japan under particular visa status are obliged to submit Notifications regarding Contracting/Affiliated Organization to the relevant Immigration Office or the branch within 14 days after the day the change occurs in case they encounter the following situation; Change of the name of current contracting/affiliated organization Change of the address of current contracting/affiliated organization Extinction of current contracting/affiliated organization due to bankruptcy/insolvency, dissolution etc. Termination of contract with the organization (and you left the organization) Commencement of contract with the organization (and you joined the organization) Types of notification form are different depending on the visa status and the situation you notify. IF YOU ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH VISA PROCEDURES IN JAPAN, JUMP TO INTRODUCTORY PAGES BELOW FIRST INTRODUCTION WHAT IS VISA STATUS? LIST OF VISA STATUS Notification of Affiliated Organization 活動機関に関する届出 Applicable Visa Status PROFESSOR | HSP-c | BUSINESS MANAGER | LEGAL / ACCOUNTING SERVICES | MEDICAL SERVICES | INSTRUCTOR | INTRA-COMPANY TRANSFEREE | TECHNICAL INTERN TRAINING | STUDENT | TRAINEE Required Notification Immigration Office Webpage >> Notification of Affiliated Organization 所属（活動）機関に関する届出 Notification of Contracting Organization 契約機関に関する届出 Applicable Visa Status HSP-a | HSP-b | RESEARCHER | ENGINEER / SPECIALIST IN HUMANITIES / INTERNATIONAL SERVICES | ...

Residence Card holders staying in Japan under marriage-related status are obliged to submit Notifications regarding Spouse to the relevant Immigration Office or the branch within 14 days after the day the change occurs in case they encounter the following situation; VISA STATUS: Dependent, Spouse of Japanese, Spouse of Permanent Resident Divorced Separated by death Immigration Office Website >> Notification regarding Spouse / 配偶者に関する届出 WHERE TO SUBMIT IN-PERSON At the Immigration Office and the branch which takes jurisdiction over your residence address. Bring your Residence Card. BY MAILSend the Notification together with a hard-copy of your Residence Card to the following address; Tokyo Immigration Bureau, Residence Investigation Department, Notification Reception Desk, Yotsuya Tower, 14th floor, 1-6-1 Yotsuya, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0004 (〒160-0004 東京都新宿区四谷１丁目６-１四谷タワー１４階　東京出入国在留管理局在留調査部門届出受付担当)* On the envelope, write 「届出書在中」or「NOTIFICATION ENCLOSED」 below the address. NOTIFICATION FORM Immigration Office Website >> NOTIFICATION regarding SPOUSE / 配偶者に関する届出 ...