Updated:　March 1, 2025

Next Steps After Your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) Approval

Once your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) application is approved, the next steps to enter Japan may seem overwhelming. This guide will walk you through the process step by step, ensuring that you understand how to obtain your visa and prepare for your arrival in Japan.

 

 

Step 1: Receiving Your COE

If you have opted to receive your COE via email, please ask your immigration lawyer (Gyousei-shoshi) to forward the email to you.

If you have chosen to receive a physical copy, please request that they send it to you using an international traceable courier service such as EMS, DHL, or a similar service.

Step 2: Applying for a Visa at a Japanese Embassy or Consulate

 

 

After receiving your COE, you must apply for a visa at the Japanese embassy or consulate in your country. To do so, prepare your passport, visa application form, and any other required documents, and submit them to the embassy or consulate. The specific requirements may vary depending on the location, and some embassies may require an appointment. We strongly recommend contacting the embassy in advance to confirm the required documents and procedures.

Once you have submitted your application, the embassy will typically process your documents within approximately one week. After the review, your passport will be returned with the visa seal affixed.

The processing time for visas varies by country, but in most cases, it takes about a week. Please note that you will need to leave your passport with the embassy or consulate during this time, meaning you will not be able to travel internationally until your visa is issued.

Since each embassy or consulate has different procedures for scheduling appointments, required documents, and processing times, we strongly advise confirming these details with your local consulate beforehand.

 

Important Notes

While an approved Certificate of Eligibility (COE) significantly increases the likelihood of obtaining a visa, final approval is at the discretion of the Japanese embassy or consulate, and there remains a small possibility of visa denial. However, based on our experience, none of our clients have encountered this issue.

If your visa application is denied, the Japanese embassy or consulate will not disclose the reasons. Unfortunately, even with a COE, you cannot enter Japan without a visa.

 

 

Step 3: Understanding COE Validity

 

 

The Certificate of Eligibility (COE) is valid for three months from its issue date. You must plan your entry into Japan within this period. If you do not enter Japan within three months, your COE will expire and become invalid.

Previously, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the validity period of the COE was temporarily extended to six months. However, this special measure ended for COEs issued after July 31, 2022.

If you are unable to enter Japan within three months, you will need to reapply for a new COE.

 

 

Step 4: Entering Japan and Receiving Your Residence Card

 

 

When arriving in Japan, make sure to have your COE with you, as you will be required to present it at immigration control at the airport.

Upon arrival, you will receive a residence card, which will display your status of residence, the permitted period of stay, and the expiration date of your stay. This card is an essential document for living in Japan.

After settling into your accommodation or determining your residence, you must register your address at the municipal office that has jurisdiction over your area. This must be done within 14 days of establishing your residence.

Note: Foreign nationals with a period of stay of less than three months are not eligible for resident registration and will not receive a residence card.

 

 

Step 5: Finalizing Your Move and Seeking Assistance

Navigating the process of obtaining a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) and preparing for life in Japan can be complex. If you would like expert assistance with your COE application or need detailed guidance on the process, we provide professional services to ensure a smooth transition.

Please feel free to contact us to discuss how we can support you in your move to Japan.

 

 

 

Profile

Ami Ito　　Immigration lawyer in Tokyo, Japan

– Spent high school years in the U.K. and graduated from a local school.
– Studied mainly intercultural communication at Sophia University’s Faculty of Foreign Languages, English Department.
– Worked in the overseas department of SEIKO for 11 years after graduation.
– Over 10 years of experience teaching English to high school students, with a TOEIC score of 970 and a Class A level in the United Nations Associations Test of English.
– Serves as a board member in charge of international affairs at the Chiba Administrative Scrivener Association.
– Officially registered on the Financial Services Agency’s “List of Professionals (Administrative Scriveners) in Chiba Prefecture capable of providing services in foreign languages.”