In order to stay in Japan over the limit of Temporary Visitors Visa, you need to apply for Certificate of Eligibility of a particular VISA STATUS which is applicable to your activity in Japan and receive RESIDENCE CARD based on the VISA STATUS granted to live and/or work in Japan.
IF YOU ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH VISA PROCEDURES IN JAPAN, JUMP TO INTRODUCTORY PAGES BELOW FIRST:
WHAT IS VISA STATUS?
VISA STATUS is a residence status given to stay and live in Japan for specific period designated by the Immigration Office.
There are around 30 types of VISA STATUS categorized based on the activity in Japan or civil status (e.g. blood/marital relationship to a Japanese national etc.). Each person can apply for one particular VISA STATUS and the Immigration Office grants you the visa status if you satisfy the requirements and are eligible for it. Then, the Immigration Office issues you a RESIDENCE CARD (在留カード) as an identification for foreign residents living in Japan. Period of stay is determined by the Immigration Office depending on your situation and circumstances.
While you are staying in Japan under a specific visa status holding RESIDENCE CARD, you need to keep the visa status valid. You may apply for EXTENSION of PERIOD of STAY if you wish to continue your activity in Japan. In case you change the activity in Japan you may apply for CHANGE of VISA STATUS. In addition, you are obliged to process applications and notifications to the Immigration Office when necessary.
While you are staying in Japan with the Residence Card after you are granted a visa status, even if you are a Permanent Resident visa holder, you need to obtain RE-ENTRY PERMIT (or SPECIAL RE-ENTRY PERMIT) when you travel outside Japan. You must reenter Japan by the date of expiration of the RE-ENTRY PERMIT even though your VISA STATUS is valid.
Basically, you cannot engage in the activity not allowed under your visa status. In case you would like to do other activity in your spare time while you are on specific visa status, you may apply for PERMISSION TO ENGAGE IN OTHER ACTIVITY depending on your situation.
VISA STATUS will possibly be revoked if your situation falls under an incident prescribed by the law.
BASIC CRITERIA
Considering your eligibility in all aspects and the criteria below, the Immigration Office will process your COE APPLICATION (Application for Certificate of Eligibility) and grant you a VISA STATUS with specific period of stay;
1. You must have a reason or purpose to come and stay in Japan
First of all, the Immigration Office in Japan grants you a VISA STATUS only when you have specific reason or objectives to live and/or work in Japan. Also, you are recognized to satisfy requirements for one specific VISA STATUS you are applying. You cannot apply for any VISA STATUS if you are not going to live and/or work in Japan for your intended activity after you obtain the RESIDENCE CARD. You cannot apply for Permanent Resident status if you are currently living outside Japan and don’t live in Japan yet.
Generally, you need a VISA SPONSOR who can support your visa application and act as your proxy in Japan. If you don’t have any VISA STATUS in Japan yet, you need to find a proper visa sponsor who can sign your application form on your behalf to process the COE (Certificate of Eligibility) application to invite you to Japan.
In case of considering to set a business entity in Japan (branch office, subsidiary etc.), you should start with finding what types of business entity would be appropriate for your situation. Basically, a physical office space for the entity must be found in Japan and necessary registration for the entity has to be complete if you consider to relocate somebody from other country to Japan.
2. Your purpose and activity in Japan must be applicable to a particular VISA STATUS and you and your situation satisfy the requirements
Both of you and your situation (activity in Japan and visa sponsor etc.) must be recognized to be eligible for one particular VISA STATUS designated by the Japanese Immigration Office. There are around 30 categories of VISA STATUS categorized based on the purpose and activity in Japan.
To check the list of VISA STATUS, jump to the following page;
Each VISA STATUS has its own requirement. You need to certify your eligibility for the visa status by supporting documents. The Immigration Office discloses the list of basic documents required for each visa status, however, they may request different and additional documents case by case since each applicant has different situation, nationality, background, purpose of activity in Japan, visa sponsor etc. You should note that no one is exactly the same situation like you and each country has its own laws and regulation, format of official documents, manners and customs. All documents for application should be translated into the Japanese language.
Do not try to make a lie or commit a fraud – it is quite easy to find a fraud if we see all the documents you provide and if we hear your answer for our questions. It is important to keep consistency of each document and evidence. The Japanese Immigration Office or any immigration lawyer don’t process your case by taking money under the table.
3. You are not applicable to grounds for denial of landings
your entry into Japan will be denied if you are deemed to be likely to harm public health, public order, domestic security etc. of Japan. Specifically, the Immigration Office denies your application if you fall under the following situation;
- those who are likely to harm public health for health/hygiene reasons.
- those who are likely to engage in anti-social activity.
- those who have ever been deported from Japan.
- those who are likely to harm interests and national security of Japan.
- those who are deemed not to be allowed the entry into Japan based on reciprocity.
4. You and your visa sponsor (and guarantor when it is required) must be recognized as financially stable
You must be recognized as financially stable enough to make a living during your stay in Japan, and so is your VISA SPONSOR (and guarantor if any).
5. You must fulfill duties of administrative procedures as well as immigration/visa procedures, and follow the laws and regulations in Japan
You must fulfill responsibility and duties for your life in Japan and process relevant administrative procedures properly when necessary (e.g. any changes regarding residence address, job and visa sponsor, school, organization, marital status, or any other circumstances). Some procedures has to be done at the city/ward office and some has to be processed at the immigration office.
Also, you need to pay relevant taxes and to join in social insurance (health insurance and pension) or national insurance consistently while you are staying in Japan.
6. In case of working visa, the applicant’s labor condition must be appropriate, not against the laws and regulations in Japan
There are laws and regulations regarding labor conditions/standard in Japan. Your terms and condition must be prepared in accordance with the laws and regulations. In general, employer has responsibility for the conditions of their employees, so the Immigration Office will take it into consideration in case the employer violates the labor laws and regulations.
LIST of VISA STATUS
Basically, VISA STATUS can be divided into 2 categories according to the activity.
- Activity Based Visa Status (work and non-work)
- Family-Related Visa Status and Permanent Resident
You need to find an appropriate VISA STATUS among them based on your activity in Japan and consider whether you and your situation can satisfy the requirements.
To check the whole list of VISA STATUS, jump to the following page;
RESIDENCE CARD
Once you get approved of COE Application and enter Japan with the COE, the Immigration Office will issue you a RESIDENCE CARD as an identification for foreign residents living in Japan.
On the RESIDENCE CARD, you see your basic information such as full name, residence address, date of birth, type of visa status, period of stay and the date of expiry with your ID photo.
TYPES of APPLICATION / NOTIFICATION
While you are staying in Japan under a specific visa status holding RESIDENCE CARD, you need to keep the visa status valid and you are obliged to process applications and notifications to the Immigration Office when necessary.
EXCEPTION PERIOD (GRACE PERIOD / 特例期間)
In case you submit the application for either EXTENSION of PERIOD of STAY (VISA RENEWAL) or CHANGE of VISA STATUS right before/on the date of expiry of your current VISA STATUS, your current VISA STATUS is deemed to be valid until the following period whichever comes first;
- the day you receive the result of application.
* Not the date of receipt of a notice (post card) sent from the Immigration Office, but the date of issuance of the new Residence Card (usually, date of issuance of the new card will be the date you pick up your new card at the Immigration Office. In case you receive the new card by mail, it will be the date the online status turns to 完了 from 発行待ち.). - the day 2 months passed from the date of expiry stated on your current residence card.
This period is generally called as EXCEPTION PERIOD (or Grace Period / 特例期間). It allows you to keep your VISA STATUS valid and to keep engaging in the activity allowed under current VISA STATUS during this period even if expiry date of your current VISA STATUS is already passed.
IN CASE THE EXCEPTION PERIOD HAS PASSED; you cannot stay in Japan under current VISA STATUS any more. In that case, the Immigration Office will give you “Designated Activities: preparation for departure” visa status with 2 – 4 weeks of period of stay to prepare for departure from Japan.
After the application of EXTENSION of PERIOD of STAY or CHANGE of VISA STATUS, a slip called “Application Receipt / 申請受付票” will be stapled on your passport, which you can confirm the date of application and application number etc. In addition, “在留期間更新（or 在留資格変更）許可申請中” stamp will be affixed on the backside of your Residence Card. The stamp shows that your application is still in progress at the Immigration Office.
In case you have done the application online, you should bring the scanned copy (or hard copy) of an email sent from the Immigration Office titled as “【在留申請オンラインシステム】申請受付番号のお知らせ”, which you can confirm the application number etc. This email can be the proof of application.
In case you need to stay outside Japan during the screening period after submitting the application due to a short business trip etc., it would be no problem if you can come back to Japan and pick up your new Residence Card by the end of this EXCEPTION PERIOD.
Having said that, we strongly recommend that you should apply for it in advance of your trip as earlier as possible, wait for the result in Japan and leave Japan after you receive your new Residence Card. Immigration Office might request you some additional documents during processing the application, it would be difficult to take care of it if you are outside Japan. It would cause a crucial situation that you cannot receive the result or approval of the application within the EXCEPTION PERIOD.
REVOCATION of VISA STATUS
Your visa status will be revoked under certain circumstances.