An Easy Guide To The Certificate of Eligibility Japan
Whether you are going to Japan as a student, a worker, or for other purposes, the visa process is a crucial step before entering Japan.
One essential component of this process is the Certificate of Eligibility (COE) that the Japanese government issues.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about the Certificate of Eligibility Japan needs you to submit a visa application.
Japan’s Certificate of Eligibility guide
This guide is to help applicants understand the COE process and requirements.
What is a Certificate of Eligibility?
It is a document that proves the foreign national applicant meets the visa category requirements they are applying for.
The Japanese government issues the COE for mid-to-long-term visas.
The purpose of the COE is to streamline the visa application. After verifying the applicant’s eligibility, the applicant will receive the COE to submit with other documents for their visa.
Who can submit your Certificate of Eligibility Japan application?
Depending on the visa, you will have someone in Japan that will help submit the COE application for you, such as:
Your employer for a Japanese Work Visa
Your school for a Japanese Student Visa
A relative or sponsor living in Japan for a long-term stay visa
Your spouse for a Japanese Spouse Visa
If you have any family members in Japan, they can submit a COE Japan for you.
Where do you submit a Japan Certificate of Eligibility Application?
In-person submission
Your representative can submit your COE Japan application at the regional Immigration Bureau where you will live or work.
Once processed, your representative will mail you the original COE so you can apply for your visa at your nearest Japanese embassy.
Online COE Japan process
You can now submit a COE application online! Please note that you must be in Japan to use this online application system.
Once everything is approved, you will receive the COE by email.
If the visa applicant is abroad, you can use the COE email to submit the visa application.
Which visas need a COE in Japan?
Only a mid-to-long-term visa (usually 6 months or more) will need a COE from Japan. There are 17 different types of COE that you can apply for in Japan. Here is a list of the most popular ones:
Student visa for study abroad purposes
Japan investor visa for investment activities
Japanese work visa for employment purposes
Japan Startup Visa for entrepreneurial endeavors
Japan Business Manager Visa for managing business operations
Japan’s new Digital Nomad Visa will also need a COE to certify your activities. And even though there is a 4-Month Business Manager Visa, it deals with Japanese business and finances.
On the other hand, short-term visas, such as tourist visas, do not need a COE.
What documents do I need for a Certificate of Eligibility Application in Japan?
You will need the following documents to submit for a COE Japan:
Certificate of Eligibility Application Form (在留資格認定証明書交付申請): each visa has a different COE application, so choose one that suits your situation.
Passport-size photo of yourself: 4cm x 3cm dimensions
Additional documents are needed depending on the visa you are applying for.
For example, a work contract that shows your salary, employment duration, and work position for a work visa or a letter of admission from your Japanese school for a student visa.
Japan’s COE application fee
There is no application fee for Japan’s certificate of eligibility.
Certificate of Eligibility Japan processing time
It can take about 1-3 months to process your application.
Why was my COE rejected in Japan?
While the reason can vary between different visas, one of the most common reasons a COE application is rejected is the lack of financial funds for your stay in Japan.
Other reasons could be:
No university degree or lack of work experience
Criminal records that fall within certain categories
Report incorrect information
How to apply for a Japanese Visa
Once you have your Certificate of Eligibility for Japan, you can submit the other documents to your nearest Japan Embassy or Consulate for your visa.
They will process your visa application. When approved, you will have about 3 months to enter Japan.
Other documents for a Japanese visa
To apply for a visa, you will need:
A visa application form with a handwritten signature
A valid passport with at least 1.5 blank pages left
One 2”x 2” Photo
Proof of Residency, such as a driver’s license card or a state ID card
Certificate of Eligibility (hardcopy or printed copy of the digital COE)
There will be additional documents, though that depends on your home country. So check beforehand before submitting the visa application.
Japanese visa fee
There is a visa fee that you will need to pay. Depending on the type of visa, you will need to pay:
3,000 yen for a single-entry visa
6,000 yen for a double-entry or multiple-entry visa
700 yen for a transit visa
Why was my visa application not accepted?
There are various reasons for why your Japanese visa will be rejected:
Applicant holds Japanese nationality
Currently hold a valid visa or re-entry permit
Your previous visa application was rejected, and you reapplied within six months after the original rejection
There are some errors or omissions in the submitted documents
Frequently asked questions
How do I get a certificate of eligibility in Japan?
To get a COE in Japan, the applicant or a sponsor will submit a COE application to the local Immigration Office in Japan.
How long does it take to get a certificate of eligibility in Japan in 2024?
It can take 1 to 3 months to receive a certificate of eligibility in Japan. And it can take longer if the original COE is sent abroad to the applicant.
Is Japan issuing the certificate of eligibility?
Japan issues its certificate of eligibility for foreign nationals who want to enter Japan for non-temporary reasons.
This document is for your long-term Japanese visa, such as work, study, or marriage.
In closing
Obtaining the Certificate of Eligibility Japan is an important step for your visa application to enter and stay in Japan for the long term.
Once you have this document, processing your visa application will go smoothly. Then, you will be ready to enter Japan.
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