If your objective is work or a long-term stay

Specified visa: Designated activities

1. Passport
2. One visa application form (nationals of Russia or NIS countries need to submit two visa application forms)
3. One photograph (nationals of Russia or NIS countries need to submit two photographs)
4. Certificate of Eligibility (Note) - the original and one copy

(Regarding activities for which a Certificate of Eligibility is not issued (working holidays, EPA nurse candidates, etc.), the documents that have to be submitted and the application procedures differ depending on the type of activity, so please consult in advance with the embassy or consulate where the application will be made.)

Chinese nationals must also submit the following documents:

5. Copy of the Chinese Family Register
6. Temporary Residence Permit or Residence Certificate (If the applicant does not have a family register within the region under the jurisdiction of the embassy or consulate where the application will be made)

* Depending on the nationality of the applicant, other documents may be necessary in addition to the above. For details please refer to the web site of your embassy or consulate.

(Note) What is a Certificate of Eligibility?

A Certificate of Eligibility is issued before a visa application by a regional immigration authority under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Justice as evidence that the foreign national meets the conditions for landing in Japan, including the requirements that the activity in which the foreign national wishes to engage in Japan at the time of the landing examination is not fraudulent and is an activity that comes under a status of residence (excluding Temporary Visitor Status) stipulated in the Immigration Control Act. (Application by a proxy in Japan is allowed. For details go to the Ministry of Justice, Immigration Bureau. )

A foreign national in possession of a Certificate of Eligibility can get a visa issued more easily at an embassy or consulate within the standard processing period (five working days). (However, issuance of the visa is not guaranteed.) Furthermore, there is the advantage that if the certificate is shown to the immigration officer at the time of the landing application the foreign national can more easily demonstrate that their status of residence conforms to the conditions for landing in Japan such as control, etc.

Even in the case that the purpose is a long-term stay, the visa application can be made directly to the embassy or consulate without this certificate but please be aware of the fact that in this case it will be necessary to submit a large number of verifying documents in addition to those above; and the processing will take a long time (several months) because the application documents will have to be sent to the nearest immigration authority in Japan for examination.

However, in some cases a Certificate of Eligibility is not issued for designated activities, depending on the type of activity. In such cases please make your visa application directly to the embassy or consulate after confirming the required procedures.