📌 1. Inviting Foreign Employees from Overseas (New Visa Application)
✅ Procedure: Certificate of Eligibility (COE) Application
When inviting a foreign employee to Japan, a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) must be obtained first. The COE is then used to apply for a visa at the Japanese embassy or consulate.
⏳ Processing Time: Approx. 1 to 4 months
📝 Required Documents
📌 Documents from the Applicant:
✔ COE Application Form
✔ Photo (4cm × 3cm, taken within the last 3 months, name written on the back)
✔ Resume
✔ Graduation Certificate (if applicable)
✔ Certificate of “Specialist” or “Advanced Specialist” Title (if applicable)
📌 Documents from the Employer:
✔ Employment Contract / Labor Conditions Notice
✔ Certificate of Company Registration
✔ Company Brochure or Website Copy
✔ Financial Statements
✔ Withholding Tax Certificate
✔ If hiring a dispatched worker: Documents outlining work details at the dispatch location
✅ Procedure Steps
1️⃣ Submit the COE application to the Immigration Services Agency
2️⃣ Send the issued COE to the foreign employee
3️⃣ The employee applies for a visa at the Japanese embassy/consulate
4️⃣ After visa issuance, the employee enters Japan and starts working
📌 2. Changing to “Engineer/Humanities/International Services” Status (For Graduates & Job Changers in Japan)
If a foreign student is getting a job in Japan or a foreign national is changing employers, they must apply for a Change of Residence Status.
⏳ Processing Time: Approx. 2 weeks to 2 months
📝 Required Documents
📌 Documents from the Applicant:
✔ Change of Status Application Form
✔ Photo (4cm × 3cm, taken within the last 3 months, name written on the back)
✔ Residence Card & Passport (for verification)
✔ Resume
✔ Graduation Certificate (for students)
📌 Documents from the Employer:
✔ Employment Contract / Labor Conditions Notice
✔ Certificate of Company Registration
✔ Company Brochure or Website Copy
✔ Financial Statements
✔ Withholding Tax Certificate
✔ If hiring a dispatched worker: Documents outlining work details at the dispatch location
✅ Procedure Steps
1️⃣ Submit the Change of Status application to the Immigration Services Agency
2️⃣ Receive a new residence card upon approval
3️⃣ Start working in Japan
📌 3. Visa Renewal (Extension)
If a foreign employee holding a “Engineer/Humanities/International Services” Visa continues working at the same company, they must apply for a Visa Extension before the expiration date.
⏳ Processing Time: Approx. 2 weeks to 1 month
📝 Required Documents
📌 Documents from the Applicant:
✔ Visa Extension Application Form
✔ Photo (4cm × 3cm, taken within the last 3 months, name written on the back)
✔ Residence Card & Passport (for verification at the immigration office)
✔ Resident Tax Payment & Taxation Certificates (past 1 year) (To confirm tax compliance)
📌 Documents from the Employer:
✔ Withholding Tax Certificate
✔ Resident Tax Payment & Taxation Certificates (past 1 year)
✅ Procedure Steps
1️⃣ Submit the visa extension application to the Immigration Services Agency (applications accepted up to 3 months before expiration)
2️⃣ Receive a new residence card upon approval
3️⃣ Continue working in Japan