Visiting Japan (Visa: Work Visa and Long Term Stay Visa)

July 17, 2026

INFORMATION:

Types and Categories of Visa
Specified visa (Spouse or child of Japanese national) / 特定ビザ(日本人の配偶者等)
Designated activities (Digital Nomad, Spouse or Child of Digital Nomad)
Designated activities (Future creation individual, Spouse or Child of future creation individual) (J-Find)
Special highly skilled professional (J-Skip)


If you came to this website from a search engine, please visit STEP 1 and STEP 2 first.
Please check our jurisdiction before you apply.

 

Certificate of Eligibility (COE)

Applicants for visas for work and long term stay are required to submit a Certificate of Eligibility (COE).

A COE is issued before a visa application by a regional Immigration office under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Justice . Application for COE by a proxy (decided by the Immigration Control Act Enforcement Regulations) in Japan is allowed. Questions about how to obtain a COE should be made to a regional Immigration office.

Validity of COE

●Handling of Application of a Certificate of Eligibility (Immigration Service Agency of Japan)
https://www.isa.go.jp/en/nyuukokukanri01_00151.html

●Regarding the Period of Validity of the Certificate (Click "English" PDF)
https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/nyuukokukanri01_00155_1.html

 

Documentation

Please note:
○ The Consulate declines incomplete documents; additional documents may be requested during the course of application/examination.
○ Do NOT staple your application.
○ The Consulate will not make photo copies.

Each applicant for Work or Long Term Visa must submit the following documents.

 
application form

1. Visa Application Form
Signed by the applicant (Form)(Sample)

 

  • A digital signature is invalid
  • Chinese citizens must write their names in Chinese characters as well as in Roman letters
 Original
passport 2. Valid Passport with at least 1.5 blank pages left
*If, instead of a national passport, you submit a PERMIT TO REENTER THE UNITED STATES or a REFUGEE TRAVEL DOCUMENT issued by the U.S. government, it must have a validity date at least 6 months beyond the day of application.

*If you already have a valid Japanese visa in your passport: A signed Consent form
 		 Original & 1 Copy
Photo 3. One 2" x 2" or 2" x 1.4" Photo
  • Must be taken in front of a plain background and within the past 6 months
  • Do NOT use filters
  • Passport type photo only (We do not accept photos on regular printer paper) 
  • The image should be straight looking, centered with neutral expression
 Original
Certificate of Eligibility 4. Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
  • If you have a digital COE sent by email, you only need to submit a printed copy of your digital COE
 Original & 1 Copy
Proof of Residency 5. Proof of Residency in New England
  • Driver’s license card, State ID card, lease documenrs or Utility Bill etc (Form I-20 is acceptable for students on F-1 visas)
  • We can only accept applications from those residing within our jurisdiction.
 Original & 1 Copy
U.S. Visa 6.  Valid U.S. Visa sticker (Proof of lawful presence in the US)/ Green card [For non US citizens]
  • F-1 visa holders must present the original and submit one photocopy of an endorsed I-20 form (ALL school attestation, student attestation, and travel endorsement must be signed)
  • J-1 visa holders must present the original and submit one photocopy of an endorsed DS-2019 form

*If you need U.S. visa renewal, please check here

 Original & 1 Copy
Inviter's ID Card 7. Primary person's Resident Card [For applicants for "Dependent Status Visa" and the primary person already resides in Japan]   1 Copy
passport 8. Primary person's Passport (page(s) with the Japanese visa and immigration stamp(s)) [For applicants for "Dependent Status Visa" and the primary person already resides in Japan]  1 Copy
 

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