A Certificate of Eligibility proves that the relevant foreign national’s intended activity in Japan is valid and comes under a status of residence. This certificate also serves as evidence for some status of residence which requires him/her to fulfil the conditions for landing. By presenting this certificate at the time of the examination for landing, the examination procedures will be smoothly conducted. A “Temporary Visitor Status” for such purposes as sightseeing, visiting relatives and short-term business are excluded from this system.
An application for issuance of a Certificate of Eligibility may be filled out by a foreign national who intends to enter Japan by himself/herself or via his/her agent. For example, an agent for a foreign national who intends to work in Japan will be a staff member of the organization wishing to accept the foreign national. In the case of a foreign national married to a Japanese national intending to enter Japan, the agent will be the Japanese national who is the spouse of the foreign national.
A foreign national cannot enter Japan only with a Certificate of Eligibility. He/she needs to obtain the issuance of a visa at a diplomatic mission abroad by presenting his/her Certificate of Eligibility. The certificate does not always guarantee the entrance to Japan. His/her landing might not be permitted if his/her current circumstances do not satisfy the landing permission standards at the time of a landing examination.
The list of Frequently Asked Questions
Questions about studying abroad
Questions about job hunting
- Q: How should I start a job search in Japan?
- Q: Is it difficult to find a job as an English teacher in Japan if English is not my native language?
- Q: Is it possible to find a job for a stay of less than three months?
- Q: When’s the ideal time for foreign students to start job hunting?
- Q: In Japan, when’s the ‘right time’ to search for a job?
- Q: Are there any qualifications that might prove helpful when searching for jobs at Japanese companies?
- Q: Would I be considered for a position to engage in global operations if I get hired at a foreign company in Japan?
- Q: Can I get a job in Japan with a high school degree from my home country?
- Q: I don’t know what kind of jobs match my educational background.
- Q: What is the difference between new graduate recruitment and mid-career recruitment?
Questions about visa and status of residence
- Q: What is a visa?
- Q: What do the “status of residence” and “period of stay” mean?
- Q: What is the Certificate of Eligibility?
- Q: What kind of procedure is expected for a foreign national who wishes to invite relatives to Japan during summer vacation?
- Q: How many months in advance should one apply for a renewal of status of residence?
- Q: Currently I live in Japan with a Dependent visa. What are the necessary procedures to visit my home country?
- Q: I am currently outside of Japan and my permitted period of stay is expiring soon. Is it possible to apply for an extension at a local Japanese embassy?
- Q: Could I still keep my passport while I am applying for an extension of the period of stay? Also, am I allowed to travel outside of Japan?
- Q: My visa as a Specialist in Humanities/International Services is about to expire and I am changing jobs soon. What is the required visa procedure?
- Q: I am changing jobs and need to prove that I am eligible to keep my current status of residence. What are the necessary procedures?
- Q: With the expiration of my visa, when do I need to get a job offer by?
- Q: I am illegally staying Japan beyond the period of stay and wish to leave Japan. What do I need to prepare?
