What is a COE? — Japan Certificate of Eligibility
The Certificate of Eligibility (COE, in Japanese 在留資格認定証明書 — zairyū shikaku nintei shōmeisho) is an official document issued by the regional Immigration Services Agency bureaus under Japan's Ministry
The Certificate of Eligibility (COE, in Japanese 在留資格認定証明書 — zairyū shikaku nintei shōmeisho) is an official document issued by the regional Immigration Services Agency bureaus under Japan's Ministry of Justice. It certifies that the foreign applicant satisfies all legal conditions for a specific residence status — for example, that they have a valid job offer from a qualified Japanese employer, or admission to a recognized school.
The COE exists so that the actual visa application at the embassy or consulate becomes fast and predictable: the substantive eligibility review has already been completed inside Japan. The embassy then only confirms identity and does a background check.
Having a COE does not guarantee a visa will be issued — the embassy retains the right to refuse — but in practice embassies approve COE-backed applications in the vast majority of cases, typically within one to two weeks.
What does a COE actually look like?
A COE is an A4 certificate issued by Japan's Ministry of Justice. Since 17 March 2023, it can be delivered electronically by email (e-COE) or, traditionally, as a mailed paper document. Both versions contain exactly the same information and are equally accepted at the embassy and at port-of-entry immigration.
Printed on security paper, stamped with the Ministry of Justice seal, and physically mailed to the proxy in Japan who forwards it overseas by international post.
Since March 2023, COE can be delivered as a PDF attached to an email from @ras-immi.moj.go.jp. The applicant receives the email, completes a one-time "receipt registration" via a URL in the message, and then presents the PDF (on phone or printed) at the embassy.
COE vs. Visa — the key distinction
These are two different documents issued by two different Japanese government agencies. Both are required for most long-term stays.
| Feature | Certificate of Eligibility | Visa (査証) |
|---|---|---|
| Issued by | Ministry of Justice (Immigration Services Agency) | Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Embassy / Consulate) |
| Issued where | Inside Japan | Overseas, at a Japanese diplomatic mission |
| Purpose | Pre-screening — confirms eligibility for residence status | Permits entry to Japan |
| Validity | 3 months from issuance | Typically 3 months for single-entry |
| Needed for short stay? | No | Depends on nationality (visa-exempt countries do not need a visa) |
| Who applies | Proxy in Japan (employer, school, relative, lawyer) | Applicant in person at the overseas mission |
Do you need a COE?
Use the quick checks below. If any "needs COE" item applies to you, you should obtain one.
✓ You need a COE if you plan to:
- • Work in Japan (engineer, humanities, business manager, specified skilled worker, etc.)
- • Study in Japan as a full-time student (language school, university, vocational)
- • Join a family member in Japan (spouse visa, dependent visa)
- • Conduct research, teaching, or long-term cultural activities
- • Live in Japan as a long-term resident, spouse of Japanese national, or future permanent resident
- • Start or manage a business in Japan (Business Manager visa)
- • Come as a technical intern or specified skilled worker
✗ You do NOT need a COE if you are only:
- • Visiting Japan as a tourist for up to 90 days (whether visa-exempt or applying for a tourist visa)
- • On a short business trip (meetings, conferences) up to 90 days
- • Visiting friends or relatives short-term
- • Transiting through Japan
- • Applying for a Working Holiday visa (different procedure — applied directly at the embassy)
- • Applying for the new Digital Nomad designated-activities visa (no COE — directly at embassy)
Three ways to obtain a Japanese residence status
Most guides focus only on the COE path. In fact, depending on whether you are currently outside or already inside Japan, you use one of three different procedures.
1. Certificate of Eligibility (認定) — apply from overseas
- When
- You live outside Japan and want to move here long-term.
- Procedure
- A proxy in Japan files the COE application at the regional Immigration Services Agency. After COE is issued, you apply for a visa at the Japanese Embassy / Consulate in your country, then enter Japan.
- Processing
- 25–170 days depending on visa type (see our latest monthly data).
- Gov. fee
- Free at Immigration. Embassy visa fee: ¥15,000 single / ¥30,000 multiple (from 1 July 2026).
2. Change of Status (在留資格変更) — while already in Japan
- When
- You are currently in Japan on one status and want to switch to a different one (e.g., student → engineer after graduation).
- Procedure
- You personally file the Change of Status application at your local Regional Immigration Bureau. No embassy step needed.
- Processing
- Typically 30–90 days for work categories.
- Gov. fee
- ¥10,000–¥75,000 depending on the period granted (from 2026-10-01; ¥33,000 at a counter for 1 year). Applications accepted by September 30 pay ¥6,000.
3. Extension / Renewal (在留期間更新) — keep the same status
- When
- You want to continue the same residence status beyond its expiry date.
- Procedure
- File the Extension / Renewal application at your local Regional Immigration Bureau up to 3 months before expiry.
- Processing
- Typically 15–45 days.
- Gov. fee
- ¥10,000–¥75,000 depending on the period granted (from 2026-10-01; ¥33,000 at a counter for 1 year). Applications accepted by September 30 pay ¥6,000.
The COE procedure described in the rest of this page is path (1). For (2) and (3), the documentation required is usually a reduced version of the COE document set.