2026-06-22

For foreign nationals who wish to live in Japan, those considering naturalization, and Japanese companies planning to hire foreign nationals, obtaining a “Certificate of Eligibility” is an unavoidable step. However, we often hear that “it takes a long time from application to receiving the results.” In this article, we’ll explain the reasons behind the lengthy process and share tips for obtaining the certificate smoothly.

Reasons for the Lengthy Review Process

The primary reason it takes so long to receive a Certificate of Eligibility is the strict review system in place at the Immigration Services Agency (ISA).

In recent years, the number of foreign nationals wishing to work or reside in Japan has surged, and the number of applications submitted to the ISA has remained at an all-time high. In response, examiners carefully scrutinize each application one by one to verify that the vast amount of submitted documentation is not forged and that the backgrounds of both the host company and the foreign national are accurate.

In particular, during the early spring hiring and enrollment season (January–April), or when stricter document verification measures are implemented due to changes in the international situation, the review process slows down even further, frequently resulting in cases where it takes significantly longer than usual.

Common Causes of Delays

Another major factor contributing to lengthy processing times is incomplete documentation or errors on the part of the applicant (the company or the individual). If there are omissions in the required documents requested by the Immigration Bureau or inconsistencies in the information provided, the applicant will be sent a “letter of inquiry” or asked to submit “additional materials” (a “notice to submit additional documents”).

Once this back-and-forth begins, the review process comes to a temporary halt. Furthermore, if a foreign national’s employment history or a company’s business plan is vague and fails to sufficiently prove eligibility for the status of residence, the process will be prolonged as the authorities conduct a more thorough examination.

The inability to prepare a complete set of documents that passes the review on the first attempt is ultimately the biggest cause of wasted time.

Measures to Save Time

To obtain a Certificate of Eligibility as quickly as possible, the key lies in thoroughly “streamlining advance preparation” and ensuring the “reliability of the documents.”

First and foremost, it is an ironclad rule to build a buffer into your schedule and work backward so that the application is completed 3 to 4 months before the scheduled start date or entry date. When preparing documents, the foreign national must obtain their own certificates (such as graduation certificates and employment history certificates) from their home country well in advance and ensure accurate Japanese translations are provided.

Companies must also prepare documents that logically explain the reasons for hiring and the consistency of the job description. If you are unsure, engaging a certified administrative scrivener—a professional specializing in immigration procedures—can help minimize document deficiencies to zero and prevent unnecessary delays in the review process.

Summary

The reason it takes time to issue a Certificate of Eligibility is that the Immigration Bureau is conducting strict reviews in response to the rapidly increasing number of applications. Furthermore, if there are any deficiencies or inconsistencies in the documents, you will be asked to submit additional materials, resulting in significant delays. To ensure a smooth relocation to Japan and the systematic hiring of foreign nationals, it is essential to start the process early and prepare accurate documents to pass the review on the first attempt.