The entire process to obtain a new work visa (or other resident-type visas) will usually take around 1.5 ~ 2 months from the application date.
There are 2 steps to obtaining a resident type visa.
STEP ONE
First step is to apply for the Certificate of Eligibility (“COE”), a paper based certificate. This usually takes about 4~6 weeks from application date.
STEP TWO
Once the COE is issued, in the second step we need to use this COE to get the actual work visa issued.
(a) If the applicant is overseas at the time of COE issuance, we will mail it to him there and he can take it to the Japanese Embassy in his home country to get a visa sticker issued in his passport. This usually takes around 3~5 business days, depending on the country. Once the visa sticker is granted, he can enter Japan and will be issued a residence card at the airport, and be an official resident of Japan from that date.
(b) If the applicant happens to be in Japan at the time of COE issuance, he can apply for a direct change over from the short term visa to the work visa in Japan, however processing is longer and this usually takes 2~3 weeks to complete, and the residence card will be issued upon completion. In this case, the applicant will be an official resident of Japan from the date this procedure is completed.
＊This entry is for informational purposes only, and may not apply in all cases. Please feel free to make an inquiry via e-mail for assistance regarding your special case.
ADVANTAGES OF USING OUR IMMIGRATION SERVICES
◆All correspondence available in native English
◆No additional charges for Japanese translation of English application documents
◆No frustrating long waiting hours at the Immigration Office!
