COE Holders

Certificate of Eligibility (COE)

Most of the applicants who wish to enter Japan under the categories of Employment/Working, General or Specified visas should obtain, in principle, a Certificate of Eligibility.
The Certificate of Eligibility is a document issued by the Ministry of Justice in Japan.In order to obtain a Certificate of Eligibility, you are required to have a sponsor in Japan such as an employer, a school, relative etc.

The sponsor in Japan must contact the local Immigration Office in order to apply for your Certificate.
Once this has been issued, the certificate will be sent to you and you are then able to apply for a visa with the required documents listed below.
The application for the Certificate of Eligibility is free of charge and generally it takes up to 3 months to process.

*The Certificate of Eligibility should be submitted to an Immigration Inspector with a valid visa for landing permission at the port of entry in Japan, and shall cease to be valid if the application for landing permission is not filed within three months from the date of issue.

1. Passport

Original plus one photo copy Signed by the bearer if there is a designated signature area in the passport Not damaged (torn out pages, water damaged, or unreadable ID page, etc ) At least 2 spread blank visa pages * If your passport is damaged or there is no spread blank page, please renew it beforehand. If your current Australian visa is linked to your previous passport, please bring it as well.

 

2. Australian Visa (VEVO)(Not applicable to Australian citizens)

Access to VEVO website and bring the printed VEVO information as your latest visa status please. * Visa "Grant Notice" is NOT acceptable. Only the latest VEVO information is acceptable. If your current Australian visa is linked to your previous passport, please bring it as well. If you hold a PR visa, please ensure that the Re-entry permit still is valid until the trip to Japan     and return is completed to Australia. If not, please renew it beforehand. If you hold a Bridging visa “A”, you need to change it to Bridging visa “B” beforehand. If you hold a tourist/visitor visa, we CANNOT accept your application. Please apply for a Japanese visa in your home country.

 

3. Visa Application Form

Please download and print the Visa Application Form. Checked the Visa Application Writing Sample. Please complete the form by filling ALL THE LINES without any lef t blank (See Sample writing). If no information is applicable for the question, please put N/A or No (See Sample writing). Your signature must be the same as on your passport. Please do NOT staple the application forms together.

 

4. Passport Photo x 1

Size :4.5cm x 3.5cm (Australian Passport Photo Size) Must be taken within the last 6 months Must be glued (not stapled) on the form at reserved photo place Not damaged

 

5.Certificate of Eligibility (COE)

Original or Scanned copy of COE (front and back) *From 17 March 2023, applicants may receive a digital COE via Email. If so, please bring a printed copy of that email. https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/procedures/10_00136.html

 

NOTE

*Applicants may authorise a proxy.
To authorise a proxy for application drop off/pickup, the applicant MUST fill out an authorisation letter and have the proxy submit the original letter to the Consulate along with his/her ID card.

*The minimum assessment time is 5 business days for all visas. It generally takes longer if additional documents are required for further assessment.