Japan COE Documents 2026 — Forms & Required Files
Additional documents by residence status
COE = 在留資格認定証明書 (Zairyū Shikaku Nintei Shōmeisho) — the full official Japanese name
Official application form — download
This is the Ministry of Justice official Application for Certificate of Eligibility (在留資格認定証明書交付申請書). Download the template, complete it with your proxy in Japan, and submit it at the Regional Immigration Bureau or via the online system.
PDF
PDF form (for printing)↓ Download
Ready-to-print PDF. Fill in by hand or in Acrobat, then print and sign.
XLSX
Excel form (fillable)↓ Download
Microsoft Excel template. Easier to edit, auto-fills repeated fields.
Source: Ministry of Justice — Immigration Services Agency. Always verify you are using the latest revision at moj.go.jp before submission.
Common documents (every COE application)
- • Application for Certificate of Eligibility (official MOJ form, completed)
- • Photograph: 40mm × 30mm, taken within 3 months, plain background
- • Copy of applicant's passport bio page
- • Return envelope with postage (for mail delivery of issued COE)
- • Letter of Attorney if filed by a proxy (employer/school form usually suffices)
- • Japanese translations of any non-Japanese supporting documents
Additional documents by residence status
Engineer / Humanities / International Services▾
- · Employment contract or offer letter
- · Detailed job description (duties, tools, role)
- · Company registration certificate (登記事項証明書)
- · Company financial statements or overview
- · University diploma and transcript
- · Professional experience certificates (if claiming years in lieu of degree)
Business Manager▾
- · Articles of incorporation of the Japanese company
- · Proof of capital investment (bank statement ≥ ¥30,000,000, new standard since Oct 2025)
- · Business plan (3-year revenue projection, hiring plan)
- · Office lease agreement + photos of the office space
- · Evidence of at least 1 full-time employee (required IN ADDITION to the ¥30M capital since Oct 2025 — no longer either/or)
- · Tax payment certificates, corporate tax returns
Highly Skilled Professional (HSP)▾
- · HSP points self-calculation table + supporting evidence
- · Employment contract or business documents
- · Academic credentials, awards, patents (for points)
- · Annual income projection (certificate from employer)
- · Professional certifications for bonus points (JLPT, MBA, etc.)
Student▾
- · Admission letter from a Japanese language school / university / vocational school
- · Proof of tuition payment or scholarship
- · Bank statements proving ≥ ¥2,000,000 available for living expenses
- · Sponsor / guarantor financial documents if tuition is sponsored
- · Academic transcripts from home country
Spouse of Japanese / Permanent Resident▾
- · Marriage certificate from both countries
- · Family Register (戸籍謄本) of the Japanese spouse
- · Cohabitation plan — address, room layout, photos
- · Income and tax certificates of the Japanese spouse
- · Photos of the couple together, communication records (emails/LINE/WeChat)
- · Q&A form explaining how the couple met, wedding, family life
Family Stay (Dependent)▾
- · Residence card copy of the main resident in Japan
- · Marriage / birth certificates proving the family relationship
- · Main resident's employment certificate and tax statement
- · Main resident's annual income proof (≥ ~¥2,000,000 per dependent)
- · Housing documentation
Specified Skilled Worker (SSW)▾
- · Sector-specific Skills Evaluation Exam certificate
- · Japanese Language Proficiency (JLPT N4 or JFT-Basic) certificate
- · Employment contract with a registered SSW receiving organization (特定技能所属機関)
- · Support plan from the Registered Support Organization (登録支援機関)
- · For former Technical Intern Trainees: certificate of completion of Level 2 or 3
Technical Intern Training▾
- · Acceptance certificate from supervising organization (監理団体)
- · Training plan approved by OTIT
- · Contract with the implementing company
- · Previous education and employment documentation