Congratulations, you are going to stay longer in Japan, or obtained a job in Japan and you need to apply for a Working VISA. The process might seem daunting at first, but in reality, it is pretty straight forward.
The usual flow is as follow:
Prepare Required Documents
Apply for CoE (Certificate of Eligibility)
Collect VISA
Obtain a Resident Card (在留カード)
A Student VISA is considered an existing VISA, so you don’t need to leave Japan to change the VISA type. However, a Working Holiday or Tourist VISA is not considered an existing VISA, so you will need to leave Japan and return in order to change the VISA type.
This guide, will help you from the beginning til the end. So follow closely:
STEP
Prepare the following documents to obtain the Certificate of Eligibility(CoE)
A completed Certificate of Eligibility Application Form
You only need to fill out the 1st and 3rd tabs of the sheet, 4th and 5th tabs are for the employer.
Both the applicant and the company need to prepare the required documents respectively. Once everything is ready, the company will organize all the documents and submit the application to the immigration office.
Copy of a valid PASSPORT
Passport-size Picture of yourself, with the following specifications:
Dimensions: 4cm x 3cm
Taken within the last three months
Plain and light-colored background, without any patterns and shadows
You must be starting straight ahead, with a neutral facial expression
Your face has to be fully visible
The picture must be good quality (focused, clear, and sharp)
All the university certificates of your degrees in English or Japanese
If the document cannot be issued in English, please prepare a separate translation document.
May require other documents to if you don’t possess a, minimum, Bachelor-degree.
Any JLPT certification, or Japanese language-education related documents.
Updated English Resume
Updated version of Japanese version resume
Please make sure that all the dates and names are the same on the English CV, Japanese resumes and the application form
STEP
Wait 1-2 months for the CoE to be issued
You can use this time to prepare for your relocation.
Once the CoE is issued, it will be sent physically to either you or your employer, depending on the designation you specified in the application form.
Your employer or proxy shall send the CoE to you via post.
STEP
Apply for the Japan Work Visa with the CoE at your local embassy.
Contact the nearest Japanese Embassy or Consulate to book an appointment.
For further guidance, please contact your employer or career consultant
STEP
Submit the CoE and other required documents during your appointment at the Embassy/Consulate to apply for the VISA.
After your Japan Work Visa application has been processed, you may need to return to the Embassy/Consulate to retrieve your passport.
If your application is approved, you can now enter Japan through the designated airport and collect your Resident Card (在留カード) at the airport specified in your application form
STEP
WELCOME TO NIPPON!
Make sure you book a flight to the designated airport! There are two major airports in Tokyo: Haneda and Narita.
STEP
Prepare the following documents to initialize the application.
A completed Certificate of Eligibility Application Form
You only need to fill out the 1st and 3rd tabs of the sheet, 4th and 5th tabs are for the employer.
Both the applicant and the company need to prepare the required documents respectively. Once everything is ready, all documents need to be submitted to the immigration office.
Copy of a valid PASSPORT
Passport-size Picture of yourself, with the following specifications:
Dimensions: 4cm x 3cm
Taken within the last three months
Plain and light-colored background, without any patterns and shadows
You must be starting straight ahead, with a neutral facial expression
Your face has to be fully visible
The picture must be good quality (focused, clear, and sharp)
All the university certificates of your degrees in English or Japanese
If the document cannot be issued in English, please prepare a separate translation document.
May require other documents to if you don’t possess a, minimum, Bachelor-degree.
Any JLPT certification, or Japanese language-education related documents.
Updated English Resume
Updated version of Japanese version resume
Please make sure that all the dates and names are the same on the English CV, Japanese resumes and the application form
STEP
Bring all the required documents in physical form to the immigration office to apply for your VISA.
In many cases, your employer can visit the immigration office and submit the documents on your behalf (代理).
STEP
Wait for the Postcard from the immigration office to collect your new Resident Card
Once you receive the postcard, follow the instructions and visit the immigration office to collect your new Resident Card (在留カード).
STEP
Prepare the following documents to initialize the application.
A completed Certificate of Eligibility Application Form
You only need to fill out the 1st and 3rd tabs of the sheet, 4th and 5th tabs are for the employer.
Copy of a valid PASSPORT
Passport-size Picture of yourself, with the following specifications:
Dimensions: 4cm x 3cm
Taken within the last three months
Plain and light-colored background, without any patterns and shadows
You must be starting straight ahead, with a neutral facial expression
Your face has to be fully visible
The picture must be good quality (focused, clear, and sharp)
A copy of the Certificate of Employment (在籍証明書), which you can obtain from the HR department.
All the university certificates of your degrees in English or Japanese
If the document cannot be issued in English, please prepare a separate translation document.
May require other documents to if you don’t possess a, minimum, Bachelor-degree.
Any JLPT certification, or Japanese language-education related documents.
Updated English Resume
Updated version of Japanese version resumes
Please make sure that all the dates and names are the same on the English CV, Japanese resumes and the application form
STEP
Bring all the required documents in physical form to the immigration office to apply for your VISA.
Once the application is submitted, a postcard will be sent to you or your employer, depends on which one you have designated in the application form, after a processing time of 1 to 5 months.
STEP
Wait for the Postcard from the immigration office to collect your new Resident Card
Once you receive the postcard, follow the instructions and visit the immigration office to collect your new Resident Card (在留カード).
In this guide, we have covered the basic process for obtaining one of the most common working VISAs: 技術・人文知識・国際交流 (Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services).
If you have any questions about other VISA types, please leave a comment below. Until then, stay safe and see you next time!
What do you think? Leave Us a Comment!