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Immigration procedures

Immigration procedures in Japan

Whatever you are arranging — your first visa, an extension or part-time work — it goes through one of the immigration procedures. Here are the key ones: the Certificate of Eligibility, change of status, extension, part-time work permission and re-entry.

All procedures

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Checked against the Immigration Services Agency of Japan on 28 September 2026 · Immigration fees

CoE standard processing1–3 months

NotificationsWithin 14 days

Part-time work28 h/week

Trips without a permitUp to 1 year

Key procedures

The procedures almost everyone goes through

If you live in Japan on a status of residence, you will meet most of these.

Certificate of Eligibility (CoE)

Before you arrive. 在留資格認定証明書 confirms that you meet the conditions of your status. Your school, employer or family in Japan applies for it. How the CoE works

Change of status

In Japan. 在留資格変更 — when the purpose of your stay changes: from student to work, to marriage, to business. Change of status

Extension of period of stay

In Japan. 在留期間更新 — more time on your current status. Apply before it expires, from 3 months before. Extension

Re-entry

Trips. 再入国 — permission to come back after traveling abroad without losing your status. Re-entry permit

Part-time work permission

Students and dependents. 資格外活動許可 — needed before any paid work outside your status. Part-time work

Notifications

Within 14 days. A new address, employer or school must be reported. Notifications to immigration

All procedures

From the first visa to permanent residence, in order

Each page explains what the procedure is, who files it, how long it takes, the fee and the official ISA forms.

Before you arrive

How to apply

  • Online applications
    在留申請オンラインシステム: who can apply online and how to pay
  • Immigration fees
    New table from 1 October 2026: ¥10,000 to ¥75,000 for an extension or change

Living in Japan

For students

Permission to work part-time (資格外活動許可)

On a student visa and some other statuses you may work only with permission to engage in an activity other than that permitted. The limit is 28 hours a week, and up to 8 hours a day during long holidays set by your school’s rules. The permission is free; at the main airports you can apply for it on arrival. Working without it is illegal and causes problems at your next extension.

How to get part-time work permission

Where to go

Where and how to apply

  • Where: the regional immigration services bureau (or its branch) that covers your address.
  • Online: many procedures can be filed through the online residence application system — online applications.
  • Processing time: a change of status or an extension usually takes 2 weeks to 2 months.
  • Fee: paid only on approval; at the counter with revenue stamps (収入印紙). For applications received from 1 October 2026 the fees are higher — fee table.

Don’t miss the deadline

The special period and your residence card

Apply for an extension or a change of status before your current status expires. If you applied in time, you may stay while the decision is pending, but no longer than 2 months after the expiry date (特例期間). Your residence card shows your status and period of stay.

A new address, job or school must be reported within 14 days — which notifications and where.

ISA forms

Where to find the official forms

Every status page on this site has a Forms and documents block: choose your situation and get the ISA application forms, filled-in examples and checklists for the CoE, change of status, extension and a child born in Japan. The buttons open the files on the ISA website, and our server checks the links every week.

All forms in one place: ISA forms library. Not sure which documents you need? Which documents do I need.

FAQ

Questions about procedures

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What is a Certificate of Eligibility (CoE)?

The Certificate of Eligibility (在留資格認定証明書) confirms that you meet the conditions of the status of residence you are applying for. Your host in Japan — a school or an employer — applies for it, and with it the embassy or consulate can issue your visa faster.

With permission to engage in an activity other than that permitted (資格外活動許可): up to 28 hours a week, and up to 8 hours a day in long holidays set by the school’s rules. Without this permission you cannot work.

If you leave Japan and come back within 1 year (and before your status expires), the special re-entry permit (みなし再入国) applies: you just tick the box on the embarkation card when you leave. For a longer absence you need a regular re-entry permit.

At the regional immigration services bureau that covers your address. Many procedures can also be filed online through the online residence application system (在留申請オンラインシステム).

The fee is paid only when the application is approved. For applications received from 1 October 2026, an extension or a change of status costs ¥10,000 to ¥75,000 depending on the period granted, and permanent residence ¥200,000; applications received by 30 September 2026 pay the old fee. The Certificate of Eligibility and part-time work permission are free.

With the Certificate of Eligibility: a school, an employer or a family member in Japan applies for it. Once the CoE is issued, you get the visa at a Japanese embassy or consulate and enter Japan within 3 months of the CoE’s issue date. At the main airports you receive your residence card on arrival; register your address at the city office within 14 days.

Notifications are due within 14 days. The law sets a fine of up to ¥200,000 for not filing them, and if you do not register your address for 90 days your status can be revoked. Immigration sees missed notifications at your next extension.

Every status page on this site has a Forms and documents block: choose your situation and you get the ISA forms for the CoE, change of status, extension and other procedures. The buttons open the files on the website of the Immigration Services Agency of Japan, and our server checks the links every week.

Sources

Where this information comes from

Facts and document lists were checked against the website of the Immigration Services Agency of Japan (ISA) on 28 September 2026. Form links come from a register of ISA files that our server refreshes every week: when ISA publishes a new version of a form, the button opens the new file.

This page is general information, not legal advice. Immigration decides each application and may ask for more documents. Where a rule is known only from practice, we say so.

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