Visa & residencyVisas and renewals
Certificate of eligibility Japan guide: free, filed by a representative in Japan, 1 to 3 months as standard, valid for 3 months, and can arrive by email.
As of October 2026, a certificate of eligibility in Japan (在留資格認定証明書) is a free pre-check by immigration for anyone moving to Japan for more than a short stay. A representative in Japan, such as your employer or school, or a 行政書士, files it at the regional immigration office or online. The standard period is 1 to 3 months, though some statuses take longer. It is valid for 3 months and, since March 2023, can be received by email and shown on a smartphone.
The certificate of eligibility Japan’s immigration agency issues is the Certificate of Eligibility (在留資格認定証明書, COE): immigration’s advance check that your planned activity fits a status of residence. It is free, filed by a representative in Japan such as your employer or school (or a 行政書士), takes 1 to 3 months as standard and is valid for 3 months. Since March 2023 it can arrive by email. This is the position as of October 2026, from the Immigration Services Agency (出入国在留管理庁, ISA).
Anyone who wants to enter Japan for anything other than a short-term stay: work, study, joining family and so on. Permanent Resident can’t be applied for this way. You use the certificate when you apply for your visa at a Japanese embassy or consulate, and again when you land.
If you are already in Japan on another status, you don’t need a COE. You apply for a change of status instead.
The application is filed in Japan. The people who can file are:
If the applicant applies, it goes to the regional immigration office for the planned address. If a representative or agent applies, it goes to the office for the receiving organization’s location.
The list depends on the status. Each status page on ISA’s site has a checklist, the application form in PDF and Excel, and a filled-in sample. Common items:
Japanese certificates must be issued within 3 months, and foreign documents need a Japanese translation. Originals are generally not returned. If the name on your application doesn’t match your passport, the visa step can be delayed, so ISA suggests adding a passport copy.
For status-specific lists, see the spouse visa, dependent visa, specified skilled worker, highly skilled professional and business manager guides.
ISA’s standard period is 1 to 3 months. Its published averages, from receipt to issue, are longer for some statuses:
| Status | Average days, COEs issued August 2026 |
|---|---|
| Highly Skilled Professional 1(a) | 24.3 |
| Intra-company Transferee | 34.8 |
| Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services | 47.1 |
| Specified Skilled Worker (i) (food service excluded) | 62.7 |
| Student | 63.7 |
| Skilled Labor | 72.1 |
| Dependent | 74.1 |
| Long-term Resident | 93.9 |
| Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident | 105.8 |
| Spouse or Child of Japanese National | 120.9 |
| Business Manager | 226.7 |
Source: ISA 在留審査処理期間, August 2026. The days include time waiting for extra documents ISA asked for. ISA says work statuses tend to take longer before April hiring, and Student before the April and October school starts.
ISA says a COE is normally valid for 3 months from the date it is made. Apply for your visa and enter Japan within that time. If you won’t use it, ISA asks that the paper original go back to the office that issued it.
Since March 17, 2023, you can receive the certificate by email. It has the same information as the paper one, except the photo.
Paper certificates are still available. Since March 17, 2023, a copy of both sides of a paper certificate is also accepted at the embassy and on landing. If you land with a copy, ISA asks you to return the original to the issuing office.
Once you have landed, the next tasks are usually a bank account, health insurance and an apartment.
Change of status · Visa renewal · Re-entry permit · Student visa and part-time work
Usually a representative in Japan defined by Ministry of Justice ordinance, such as staff of your employer or school. A registered 行政書士 or lawyer can file for them. The person filing must be in Japan.
ISA says a certificate of eligibility is normally valid for 3 months from the date it is made. Apply for your visa and enter Japan within that time.
Yes. ISA accepts certificate of eligibility applications through its online residence application system. Paper applications go to the counter; ISA doesn't accept them by post.
ISA's standard period is 1 to 3 months. Its published averages for August 2026 were, for example, 34.8 days for Intra-company Transferee, 120.9 days for spouses of Japanese nationals and 226.7 days for Business Manager.
Yes. Since March 17, 2023 the certificate can be sent by email. You can show the email on your smartphone at the Japanese embassy or consulate and at the airport, including a forwarded email.
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Visas and renewals
Change of status of residence in Japan: apply before your period of stay ends. ISA's standard is 1 to 2 months; the counter fee for 1 year is ¥33,000.
Visas and renewals
Dependent visa Japan rules: the spouse or child of a work or student visa holder can stay up to 5 years and work 28 hours a week with permission.
Visas and renewals
Japan's spouse visa (日本人の配偶者等) lets you live and work without limits. Documents, periods of stay, renewal fees and the 14-day divorce rule.
