Current Visa Application Procedures (COVID-19)

2021/5/19

All visa applicants must book their appointments online in advance to schedule a suitable date and time to visit the Consulate to apply for a visa.
Booking detail site: https://www.sydney.au.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/visa_step3.html

For Spouses/Children of Japanese Citizens and Permanent resident visas, please obtain a "Certificate of Eligibility (COE)" from the Immigration Services Agency of Japan and apply for the visa WITH a Certificate of Eligibility. Please see application procedure here.

For a Spouse of Japanese visa, you may apply for it WITHOUT a Certificate of Eligibility if the married couple (husband and wife) will take the same flight and enter Japan together (* Flight booking confirmation is required.).
Please find out more information regarding “Spouse Visa Application WITHOUT Certificate of Eligibility” from the link here.

Update: While travel restrictions for Australia have been relaxed from the 1st of November, visa exemption measures for Australian passport holders have been paused. For details, see here.
Australian passport holders and travellers from Australia currently need a valid visa to enter Japan.

Travellers from Australia (including those with a valid re-entry permit and Japanese nationals) currently require a printed copy of a negative PCR test certificate and an Individual Written Pledge to enter Japan. You will also need to fill out a questionnaire and install some smart phone applications, so please read the following information carefully.

Please note that:

1) The "Business Track" and "Residence Track" system is paused.

2) New entry into Japan from all countries and regions is paused in most circumstances.

If your re-entry permit or residence card has expired, please contact the Japanese Immigration Services Agency for more information.

Please note that the application and entry procedure is slightly different than the typical application,
so please read the following instructions carefully.

1. Information for applicants

A. Long-term Visa (Residence Track) (with CoE) - Currently Suspended

(i) Visa application form (with passport photo attached)
(ii) Passport and copy of passport photo page
(iii) Certificate of Eligibility and/or copy of Certificate of Eligibility
(iv) Written pledge (PDF) (Residence Track)
*Filled in by your Japanese sponsor (2 copies; copy of original is acceptable)
(v) Your valid long-term visa for Australia if you are not an Australian citizen

B. Short-term Visa for Business (Residence Track) (without CoE)- Currently Suspended

To enter Japan for up to 90 days on business related purposes such as office communication, business negotiations,
signing contracts, after sales service, promotion and marketing, market research, attending meetings, local government exchange,
cultural exchange, sporting exchange etc.

(i) Visa application form (with passport photo attached)
(ii) Passport and copy of passport photo page
(iii) An original copy of the applicant’s Certificate of Employment or contract
(iv) Letter of Invitation
(v) Letter of Guarantee
(vi) Written pledge (PDF) (Residence Track)
*Filled in by your Japanese sponsor (2 copies; copy of original is acceptable)
(vii) Your valid long-term visa for Australia if you are not an Australian citizen

C. Working Holiday Visa- Currently Suspended

(i) Visa application form (with passport photo attached)
(ii) Passport and copy of passport photo page
(iii) Written pledge (PDF) (Residence Track)
*Filled in by your Japanese sponsor (2 copies; copy of original is acceptable)
(At this time, working holiday applicants must have a written pledge filled out by a sponsoring company)
(iv) Flight details
(v) Curriculum Vitae/Resume
(vi)Proposed schedule
(vii) Letter of intention explaining your working holiday
(viii) Proof of funds: applicants must prove funds in excess of A$2500 (A$3500 for a married/de facto couple)

For more detailed information, see the working holiday visa page.

2. To enter Japan

In principle, please enter Japan on a direct flight. Please carry your (1) passport and visa and (2) a copy of the Written Pledge (Residence Track).
After entering Japan you must self-isolate at home or a hotel for a period of 14 days.

You must not use any kind of mass or public transport (taxi, domestic flights, ferry, bus, train etc.) during your self-isolation or to get to the place where you will self-isolate.
Please use a private car (your family may pick you up) or a rental car.

For more information, see here at the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare's website: (Japanese only)

3. Frequently Asked Questions

How can I get a Certificate of Eligibility?

A Certificate of Eligiblity (CoE, 在留資格認定証明書, zairyuushikaku nintei shoumeisho) is applied for by your sponsor in Japan (employer, school or family) on your behalf. For more details see the Ministry of Justice page on Certificate of Eligibility.

Due to postal issues I don’t have the original of my CoE. Can I still apply?
As a special COVID-19 related measure, you can currently use a copy or the original to apply (if you use a copy to apply,
you must obtain the original when you arrive in Japan and return it to the appropriate Immigration Office).

My Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) is older than 3 months. Can I still use it?
You can use your CoE as long as it was issued after October 1st 2019.

I cannot obtain a Written Pledge, what should I do? Can I fill in the Written Pledge (Residence Track) myself?
If you are being sponsored by a Japanese company, they must fill in your written pledge for you to be issued a visa.
If you are self-sponsoring (e.g. you own the company) or sponsoring a family member, please contact us on 02-9250-1000 (press 2).

I have visited another country on the restricted list other than Australia in the last 14 days. Can I still apply and enter Japan?
This application process and entry process is only available to travellers who have been only in Australia for the last 14 days.
In addition, you must use a direct flight to go to Japan.

Can I apply for a tourist visa, or enter on a visa exemption?
At this stage you cannot apply for a tourist visas or enter on a visa exemption scheme from Australia.

Can I work on the short-term Business (Residence Track) visa?
No. The Business visa is for the purpose of business consulting activities such as the activities listed (office communication,
business negotiations, signing contracts, after sales service, promotion and marketing, market research, attending meetings,
local government exchange, cultural exchange, sporting exchange etc.).
If you need to work in Japan, please apply for a working visa through your sponsor.

What is the difference between the Business (Residence Track) and Business Track visa?
The Business Track visa is only for Singaporean and Korean residents. Please see MOFA’s page here for more information.

Do all my family members have to come in person to apply for visas?
No. The personal representative like a family member may apply for a visa on behalf with the original power of attorney/authorisation letter from the applicant. As long as the letter clearly mentions that the representative applies for him/her and collects his/her passport when the assessment is completed, the applicant does not have to come to our office in person. But the original letter must be submitted with the visa required documents together when applying and the personal representative must bring the own valid photo ID.
Example:The husband comes to our office in person to apply for his and his wife’s visas, and he brings the power of attorney from his wife. When the assessment is done, he may collect his and her passports together.
*For the child’s visa application, the power of attorney is not required if the parent applies for him/her.

Please feel free to contact us on 02 9250 1000 (press 2) (Telephone assistance hours - 9:30-12:30, 13:30-17:30 (Afternoon recommended)).
For more detailed information related to this matter and procedures, see the Ministry of Foreign Affair’s information page here.