Certificate of eligibility

If an applicant wishes to work, study, or live in Japan, he/she should in principle first obtain a Certificate of Eligibility. The Certificate of Eligibility is issued by the Ministry of Justice in Japan. To obtain a Certificate of Eligibility, the applicant must ask a sponsor in Japan (an employer, spouse, school, etc.) to contact the local immigration office and make an application on his/her behalf. The application must be made by a sponsor in Japan. It cannot be made by the applicant himself.

Once a Certificate of Eligibility has been obtained, the applicant should bring in his/her passport, one passport-sized photograph, the Japanese sponsor's name address and phone number, the original Certificate of Eligibility, and one photocopy of the Certificate of Eligibility. In the case of applicants who are applying for visas to work in Japan as dancers, the applicant should also bring a copy of the contract between the applicant and the Japanese organisation, a curriculum vitae, and information regarding the venue in Japan (either a brochure or a floor plan).

Please note that Certificates of Eligibility expire after three months. An applicant must obtain his/her visa and arrive in Japan within three months of the issue date of the Certificate of Eligibility. If an applicant has not travelled to Japan before the expiry date, then a new Certificate of Eligibility must be obtained before applying for the visa and travelling to Japan.

Working visas

Types available:

Professor
Artist
Investor/Business Manager
Legal/Accounting Services
Medical Services
Researcher
Instructor
Engineer
Specialist in Humanities/International Services
Intra-Company Transferee
Entertainer

REQUIREMENTS

Valid passport
One visa application form completed and signed
Two passport size photographs (taken within 6 months) 35mm X 45mm in size
Letter from present employer, stating:
start date of employment by the company
reasons for sending the applicant to Japan
applicant's present position and proposed new position in Japan
terms of the applicant's assignment, such as duties, length of assignment, salary and any other allowances
any other pertinent information regarding the applicant, such as details of accompanying dependents
Brochure of employer's company showing relationship with the Japanese company to which applicant is being transferred
Annual Report
Complete listing of all non-Japanese personnel employed by the Japanese company, giving the following details for each:
name
nationality
position within the company
visa status in Japan
Applicant's curriculum vitae
Copy of any graduation certificate the applicant may have
Japanese company's commercial registration
Period of stay: 3 years or 1 year

7. Instructor

Activities authorized to engage in: Activities to engage in language instruction and other education at elementary schools, junior high schools, schools for blind, handicapped children's schools, advanced vocational schools (Senshugakko), vocational schools (Senmongakko) or the other educational institutions equivalent to vocational schools in facilities and curriculum.
Period of stay: 3 years or 1 year
Must obtain Certificate of Eligibility to apply for this visa

9. Specialist in Humanities/International Services

Activities authorized to engage in: Activities to engage in service, which requires knowledge pertinent to jurisprudence, economics, sociology or other human science fields or to engage in service which requires specific ways of thought or sensitivity based on the experience with foreign culture, based on a contract with public or private organisations in Japan (excluding the activities described in the Professor, Artist, Journalist, Investor/Business Manager, Legal/Accounting Services, Medical Services, Researcher, Instructor, Intra-Company Transferee and Entertainer).
Period of stay: 3 years or 1 year
Must obtain Certificate of Eligibility to apply for this visa

Anyone wishing to enter Japan as a performing artiste, model or professional athlete must apply for a visa, regardless of nationality.

REQUIREMENTS

Valid passport
One visa application form completed and signed
Two photographs (taken within 6 months)
Signed contract of employment
Letter of invitation from Japan
Letter of guarantee from the promoter or agent in Japan
Documents regarding the business operation of the promoter or agent in Japan:
transcript of corporate registration
certificate of payment of corporate tax
balance sheet and profit & loss statement
Schedule of performances in Japan
A list of all visa applicants
Documents certifying the applicants' career or qualifications
All applications for this category of visa must be submitted by the applicant in person at this office.