【Easy-to-Understand Guide】Entry Procedures After Receiving a Certificate of Eligibility
After receiving your Certificate of Eligibility, you proceed with entry procedures into Japan. This article explains the process, required documents, and important points under the theme “Entry Procedures After Receiving a Certificate of Eligibility.”
What is a Certificate of Eligibility?
A Certificate of Eligibility is a document certifying that the Japanese Minister of Justice has pre-approved which specific residence status applies to a foreign national planning to stay in Japan for a medium to long term.
Residence statuses are categorized based on the purpose of activities in Japan, such as study, employment, or family stay. This certificate is issued by the Immigration Services Agency (ISA) and is a crucial document for smoothly obtaining work visas or student visas. Specifically, submitting this certificate during visa application offers the advantage of expedited processing.
Note that the certificate itself is not an entry permit or residence status; it merely “certifies that the conditions for entry and residence are met.” Therefore, actual residence status is granted only after completing immigration inspection upon entry into Japan.
Entry Process
After receiving the Certificate of Eligibility, you must first apply for a visa at the Japanese Embassy or Consulate General in your home country. Required documents for the application include the original Certificate of Eligibility, passport, application form, and photographs. Additional documents may be requested depending on the country or region.
Once the visa is issued, you must travel to Japan within its validity period and undergo landing inspection at the airport or port. During landing inspection, your Certificate of Eligibility, visa, and passport will be verified. If no issues are found, your status of residence will be granted.
For mid-to-long-term residents, a Residence Card is typically issued at the airport or port, or mailed later to your registered residence address. Subsequently, you must register as a resident at your local municipal office to confirm your Residence Card and complete social security procedures. This sequence of steps constitutes the basic flow of “Entry Procedures After Certificate of Eligibility Issuance.”
What are the key points to note?
The Certificate of Eligibility has a validity period. As a rule, you must apply for a visa and complete entry procedures within three months of its issuance date. Once expired, it becomes invalid, making careful schedule management—including travel dates and flight arrangements—crucial.
Furthermore, if the activities stated on the Certificate of Eligibility differ from your actual planned activities, problems may arise during immigration inspection, potentially leading to denial of landing permission. Particular caution is needed in cases where, despite holding a work visa, you plan to engage in different work.
Additionally, insufficient passport validity, incomplete passport information, or inconsistencies in visa application documents can also cause issues. Furthermore, entry restrictions and required documents are subject to change, so it is crucial to verify the latest information from Japan’s Immigration Bureau beforehand.
Summary
Obtaining a Certificate of Eligibility is not the end goal; rather, it marks the beginning of the entry procedures into Japan. After receiving the certificate, the process must proceed in the following order: visa application, immigration inspection, residence card issuance, and resident registration. It is essential to prepare for entry with ample time, paying close attention to deadlines and ensuring all documents are complete.
