To stay in Japan for a mid- to long-term period, you must obtain a residence status that corresponds to the activities you will engage in during your stay.
First, let’s briefly review the procedure.
For example, when inviting a foreign researcher or student to Japan, you must apply for a “Certificate of Eligibility for Status of Residence.” Once you have gathered the necessary documents, you submit them to the Regional Immigration Bureau. The review period varies depending on the status you apply for, but as a rough guideline, the COE (Certificate of Eligibility) is typically issued within 6 to 8 weeks.
- If you apply too close to your intended entry date—or if the review process is delayed—you may not be able to enter Japan according to your original schedule. For this reason, we ask that you purchase your airline ticket only after the COE has been issued.
After the COE is issued, you apply for a visa at the Japanese diplomatic mission in your home country (embassy or consulate).
When you arrive in Japan, the immigration officer at the airport will issue your residence card and hand it to you. The host institution or employer must keep the residence card information on file together with the individual’s details.
If your period of stay expires even by one day and you work, that constitutes illegal overstay and/or illegal employment.
Returning the Residence Card
Many people ask where they must return their residence card. There are several common scenarios:
If the residence card still has about one month left before it expires
→ If you will return to your home country earlier than planned, you can simply turn in your residence card at the airport upon departure and then leave Japan.
If you carried out a “deemed re-entry” procedure and returned to your home country but will not be coming back to Japan as planned
→ You must promptly return your residence card to the immigration authorities from your home country. If you intend to enter Japan again soon, you should report the return of your residence card at the same time you apply for a new COE.
If someone is unaware that they must return their residence card and leaves Japan without any procedure
→ As soon as you realize you still have the residence card, you should return it without delay. If, at your next application, you cannot explain why you failed to return it earlier, your screening may be delayed, so please be careful.
When you return the residence card, the immigration office will punch a hole in it. If you wish, they will give you back the punched (invalidated) card upon request.
If you have any question, please feel free to contact us!
