A Certificate of Eligibility is issued by Japanese immigration authorities to show that a foreigner meets requirements for a status of residence. It streamlines the visa application process by reducing inquiries and allowing easier landing permission. However, the certificate does not guarantee visa issuance or entry to Japan. Upon entry, the visa is canceled and replaced with a residence card showing permission to stay, with some exceptions for multiple entry visas. The certificate simplifies but does not ensure the immigration process and is only valid for three months from issuance.

1. "Since 1993"
Page 1 of 2
www.sarkaroffice.com
Japan Immigration I Work Permit
What is a "Certificate of Eligibility"?
A "Certificate of Eligibility" is issued before a visa application by a regional immigration authority
under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Justice as evidence that the applicant fulfils various
conditions of the Immigration Control Act, including those certifying that the activity in which the
foreigner wishes to engage in Japan is valid and comes under a status of residence (excluding
Temporary Visitor Status).
The Certificate of Eligibility has the advantage of reducing the time required to obtain a visa and
complete immigration procedures, since a foreigner in possession of such a certificate can
probably acquire a visa at an embassy or consulate without hardly any inquiries being made to the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and, by showing the certificate to the immigration officer, obtain landing
permission more easily.
[However, there are some exceptional cases where work, specified & general type visas are
granted by the Japanese embassy or consulate in some countries without certificate of eligibility
and/or without any inquiries being made to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs]
Please note, however, that even if a foreigner possesses a "Certificate of Eligibility", an embassy
or consulate may not issue a visa in certain circumstances, for example, if there has been a
change in the situation since the issue of the certificate (such as the company that was planning to
hire the foreigner deciding not to do so because of business difficulties etc.) or if it becomes evident
that the documents submitted to obtain the certificate were not authentic.
Validity of Certificate of Eligibility
The certificate of eligibility is valid for 3 months from the date of issue and within the validity a visa
should be obtained and landing in Japan should be done.
Entering Japan with Certificate of Eligibility
At the time of entering Japan on the working visa granted overseas on the basis of the Certificate
of Eligibility, the visa is regarded as cancelled upon entry to Japan. [However, in the case of
multiple entry work visa it is not so.] The immigration official at Japan port of entry will replace it by
stamping residence status and the expiry date of stay on passport. With that stamp in place,
permission for an extended stay in Japan is given.

2. "Since 1993"
Page 2 of 2
www.sarkaroffice.com
Cautionary Items:
As one of the requirements for entry into Japan pursuant to Article 7-1-2 of the Immigration-Control
and Refugee-Recognition Act the Certificate of Eligibility is useful for the easier and faster
procedure to enter Japan at the time of arrival at an airport or port in Japan. Indeed this document
makes it easier to obtain a visa issued at an overseas Japanese embassy or consulate. However,
this document guarantees neither the issuance of a visa nor the permission to enter Japan.
P.S. Please visit Ministry of Justice website for latest information and changes!
The above brief summary is for illustration purpose.