Last month, we informed that the screening time of all types of applications at the Immigration Office has been getting longer and longer.
On 16 Oct 2024, the Immigration Office officially announced that they cannot tell you about the current status of ongoing screening of applications and you should just wait for the notice/request from the Immigration Office.
Here’s the announcement:
- (IN JAPANESE) 在留諸申請を行っている皆さまへのお知らせ (You can select several languages including English by using multi-language panel on that page.)
The Immigration Office is releasing the “Average Processing Period” every month. However, it only shows the “AVERAGE PERIOD” of all applications including main office in Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya etc. and other local branches. Since the Tokyo Immigration Office and the branch handles applications around 4 – 5 times more than the Osaka and Nagoya Immigration Office, you should keep in mind that you need to wait more in case your application has been filed at the Tokyo Immigration Office.
The delay of screening process is caused mostly by congestion of applications and lack of screening personnel. Therefore, we cannot do anything but submit neat and consistent documents to make their screening go smoothly.
There’s nothing you can do but wait.
The Immigration Office says that you can check the status online in case you submit your application online. However, what you see is “Under Review (審査中)” for a long time after you receive the Application Number until you receive their email(s) for the request of additional documents or the result of the application.
What is the worst, sometimes they forget to turn the online status from “Under Review (審査中)” to “Pending Completion (追完待ち)” when they request you the additional documents via email. You can submit the documents online only when the online status shows “Pending Completion”. What happens is that you need to contact the Immigration Office via phone to open the status to send the requested documents online (you know it is hard to get through to them on the phone well, don’t you?). Other options? Well, you should send the documents via regular mail.
Don’t be surprised – we, as an Immigration professional, don’t have any special alternative. The Immigration Office doesn’t give us any privilege – no shortcuts and no phone number exclusively to the professionals. Equality first.
Thank you for your patience and understanding.