Hello, this is Koh of IMS Legal Professional Corporation. Starting December 20, 2021, an app for COVID-19 vaccination certificates will be available. Not only can it be used as a vaccination certificate for oversea travel, but it will also be valid as a vaccination certificate within Japan. For more details, please check the Digital Agency site below.
https://www.digital.go.jp/policies/posts/vaccinecert (Japanese site)
Reapplying for Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
Now, in this blog, I would like to explain about reapplying for the Certificate of Eligibility.
Due to the impact of the COVID pandemic from last year, many foreign nationals are still not able to enter Japan because of the border restrictions, even after obtaining a Certificate of Eligibility (COE). Normally, the valid period of the COE is 3 months from the date of issue. However, under special measures taken due to the COVID impact, the COE is valid until January 31, 2022 or valid for 6 months from the date of issue. For more details, please check the information from the Immigration Services Agency below.
Immigration Services Agency URL: https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/content/930005023.pdf
Source: https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/nyuukokukanri01_00155_1.html
※Regarding COEs for “Student” and “Technical Intern Trainee” taking the new measures for relaxation of new entry that was implemented from November 8, 2021 (suspended until December 31), part of it is handled differently so please check the PDF above.
COE Validity
Currently, as stated on the PDF above, 1) COEs issued from January 1, 2020 to July 31, 2021 are valid until January 31, 2022, and 2) COEs issued from August 1, 2021 to January 31, 2022 are valid for 6 months from the date of issue. However, there are COE holders with expiration dates coming up in 1), and even for 2), depending on the date of issue, there are many foreign nationals with COEs expiring in February or March of 2022. If you do not enter Japan with a valid visa within the expiration date, the COE will expire.
Note: The valid period of the COE and the valid period of the visa are different, so please be careful.
Required Documents to Reapply
Therefore, if you cannot enter Japan within the expiration date and the COE expires, and still wish to enter Japan, you must apply for a COE again. In this case, when reapplying, required documents are simplified and the examination period is shorter (approximately 2 weeks), by special measures. Documents required for reapplying are the following;
- Application Form for the Certificate of Eligibility
- Statement of reasons prepared by the accepting organization (理由書)
※There is a format (Japanese) that can be downloaded below.
Please use “(2) Foreign nationals whose certificate of eligibility has expired” → Required documents → attached format (Appended Table１: for professor, student, etc., Appended Table 2: for dependent)
https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/content/930005853.pdf
Source: https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/nyuukokukanri01_00155_1.html - Previously issued “Certificate of Eligibility (COE)” original or copy
※If you are unable to submit the original due to reasons such as having lost it, postal reasons, or having already submitted the COE when applying for a visa at the Japanese Embassy, etc., attach a written explanation stating the reason (no set format required) with the COE copy. - Copy of passport
※COE applications can still be submitted without a passport or while renewing your passport at the time of the application. However, a valid passport is required to enter Japan.
Final Notes
Those whose COEs are to expire by expected the date of entry, must also reapply and are subject to the special measures above. For example, a COE issued on August 25, 2021 is specially valid for 6 months until February 25, 2022. If the expected date of entry is March 10, 2022, you can reapply with just the documents above. Also, the deadline for reapplying under the special measures (simplified documents and short examination period) is until the date specified by the Immigration Services Agency on and after July 31, 2022.
If your COE is almost expiring or if you are considering to reapply, please contact us, at IMS. We have experience in supporting over tens of thousands of COE applications, and can support COE applications for work visas, student visas, foreign national spouse visas, etc.
For more information, please contact us below ↓
https://imsvisa.support/en/contact/
