Hello, this is Shimoyama of IMS. With all of the changes made by the Immigration Bureau in response to the new coronavirus, I think that many people have some confusion about which information is current. We receive many inquiries every day from university personnel and advisors; therefore, I would like to summarize the special measures made for immigration (current as of today).
- Handling of Certificate of Eligibility
- Extension of Application Acceptance Period and Receiving Examination Results
- Residence Card Pickup Service
① Handling of Certificate of Eligibility
As described in point #2 in the link above, the validity of for Certificates of Eligibility have been extended to 6 months (normally 3 months). In addition, if your COE validity has expired and you need to reapply, or you are out of Japan and your period of stay has expired, the Immigration Bureau's examination has been simplified considerably.
A Q&A was announced on April 23, so please refer to the following link as well:
・新型コロナウイルス感染症の感染拡大の影響に伴う在留資格認定証明書の取扱い等に
ついて
・About handling the Certificate of Eligibility for Residence Status due to the spread of new coronavirus infection (Google Translate)
② Extension of Application Acceptance Period and Receiving Examination Results
・申請受付期間及び申請に係る審査結果の受領（在留カードの交付等）期間の延長について
・Extension of period of application acceptance and receipt of examination results related to application (issue of residence card, etc.) (Google Translate)
※ Current as of April 30, 2020
Applications for 1) renewal of period of stay or 2) change of status of residence for foreign residents whose period of stay expires in March, April, May, or June will be accepted until 3 months after the period of stay expiration date. (This is unchanged.)
Receiving examination results (including new residence cards, or notification of denial, etc.) has been extended by 3 months from the original 2 months. This means that you need to receive your examination results within 5 months of your period of stay expiration date.
※ Please be aware that there are disadvantages to submitting an application or receiving results during this extension period. You will not receive a re-entry permit if you leave Japan, and some of your residence activities may be restricted.
③ Residence Card Pickup Service
・新型コロナウイルス感染症の感染拡大に伴う郵送による在留カードの交付について
・Issuance of residence card by postal mail due to spread of new coronavirus infection (Google Translate)
※ Current as of April 27, 2020
Except for applications that require a seal in your passport (such as "Permission to Engage in Activity Other than that Permitted by the Status of Residence Previously Granted" and a re-entry permit), as administrative scriveners, we are able to receive your new residence card on your behalf and send it to you via postal mail.
Please see our previous blog post for more information.
・Residence Card Pickup Service (English followed by Japanese)
Please do not hesitate to use our services if you want to avoid congestion at the Immigration Bureau, or if you want to avoid the risk of the new coronavirus infection.
For more information, please contact us below ↓
https://imsvisa.support/en/contact/
