Section 2. Visas and Status of Residence

2.1 Entry procedures

Any foreign national wishing to enter Japan must have a valid passport, which, in principle, contains a visa corresponding to his/her purpose of entry into Japan obtained in advance from a Japanese embassy, consulate or other Japanese diplomatic mission abroad (hereinafter, "Japanese diplomatic mission abroad"). Upon landing in Japan, the foreign national must then be screened by, and receive a landing permission stamp as a result from an immigration officer at the port of entry, who will determine the foreign national's status of residence and period of stay.

Laws and Regulations on Setting Up Business in Japan Pamphlet

The pamphlet "Laws & Regulations" is available in PDF, and outlines basic information about laws, regulations and procedures related to setting up a business in Japan. It is available in 8 languages (Japanese, English, German, French, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Korean and Vietnamese).
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Section2. Documents businesses are required to submit to authorities

Section Documents Where documents are listed within the URL The competent authorities and relevant web pages
2.4.2 Application for a Certificate of Eligibility (Business Manager)External site: a new window will open Please click the Language selection panel and choose your language.
See Application for Certificate of Eligibility ⇒ Documents to be submitted.
Immigration Services AgencyExternal site: a new window will open
2.4.2 Application for a Certificate of Eligibility (Highly Skilled Professionals)External site: a new window will open Please click the Language selection panel and choose your language.
See 2 Regarding application documents, etc.
Immigration Services AgencyExternal site: a new window will open
2.4.2 Application for a Certificate of Eligibility (Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services)External site: a new window will open Please click the Language selection panel and choose your language.
See Application for Certificate of Eligibility ⇒ Documents to be submitted.
Immigration Services AgencyExternal site: a new window will open
2.4.2 Application for a Certificate of Eligibility (Intra-company Transferee)External site: a new window will open Please click the Language selection panel and choose your language.
See Application for Certificate of Eligibility ⇒ Documents to be submitted.
Immigration Services AgencyExternal site: a new window will open
2.4.2 Application for a Certificate of Eligibility (Legal / Accounting services)External site: a new window will open Please click the Language selection panel and choose your language.
See Application for Certificate of Eligibility ⇒ Documents to be submitted.
Immigration Services AgencyExternal site: a new window will open
2.4.2 Application for a Certificate of Eligibility (Skilled Labor)External site: a new window will open Please click the Language selection panel and choose your language.
See "When attempting to engage in activities as a chef" or "When attempting to engage in activities other than being a chef" ⇒ Application for Certificate of Eligibility ⇒ Documents to be submitted.
Immigration Services AgencyExternal site: a new window will open
2.4.2 Application for a Certificate of Eligibility (Specified Skilled Worker)External site: a new window will open Please click the Language selection panel and choose your language.
See Application for Certificate of Eligibility.
Immigration Services AgencyExternal site: a new window will open
2.4.3 Visa application form to enter JapanExternal site: a new window will open See Visa application form in Chapter 3. ⇒Visa Application Documents (download)/
See format.
Ministry of Foreign AffairsExternal site: a new window will open
2.7.5 Notification of a change of an item on the residence cardExternal site: a new window will open See Format Immigration Services AgencyExternal site: a new window will open
2.7.5 Application for extension of the valid period on the residence cardExternal site: a new window will open See Format Immigration Services AgencyExternal site: a new window will open
2.7.5 Application for re-issuance of a residence cardExternal site: a new window will open See Format Immigration Services AgencyExternal site: a new window will open
2.7.8 (1) Notification of affiliated (contracting) organization (Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services)External site: a new window will open Please click the Language selection panel and choose your language.
See Notification form reference form 1 to 4.
Immigration Services AgencyExternal site: a new window will open
2.7.8 (1) Notification of affiliated (activity) organization (Intra-company Transferee or Business Manager)External site: a new window will open Please click the Language selection panel and choose your language.
See Notification form reference form 1 to 4.
Immigration Services AgencyExternal site: a new window will open
2.7.8 (2) Notification of relationship with spouse (divorce/death)External site: a new window will open Please click the Language selection panel and choose your language.
See Notification form reference form.
Immigration Services AgencyExternal site: a new window will open
2.8.4 Application for re-entry permissionExternal site: a new window will open Please click the Language selection panel and choose your language.
See Application form/required documents, etc.
Immigration Services AgencyExternal site: a new window will open
2.9 Application form for issuance of a Certificate of Eligibility (Dependent)External site: a new window will open Please click the Language selection panel and choose your language.
See Application for Certificate of Eligibility.
Immigration Services AgencyExternal site: a new window will open
2.9 Application for permission to engage in activity other than that permitted under the status of residence previously grantedExternal site: a new window will open Please click the Language selection panel and choose your language.
See Application form/required documents/number of copies.
Immigration Services AgencyExternal site: a new window will open
2.10.1 Application for extension of period of stay (Intra-company Transferee)External site: a new window will open Please click the Language selection panel and choose your language.
See Application form for extension of period of stay ⇒ Documents to be submitted.
Immigration Services AgencyExternal site: a new window will open
2.10.1 Application for extension of period of stay (Business Manager)External site: a new window will open Please click the Language selection panel and choose your language.
See Application form for extension of period of stay ⇒ Documents to be submitted.
Immigration Services AgencyExternal site: a new window will open
2.10.1 Application for extension of period of stay (Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services)External site: a new window will open Please click the Language selection panel and choose your language.
See Application form for extension of period of stay ⇒ Documents to be submitted.
Immigration Services AgencyExternal site: a new window will open
2.10.2 Application for change of status of residence (Intra-company Transferee)External site: a new window will open Please click the Language selection panel and choose your language.
See Application for permission to change status of residence ⇒ Documents to be submitted.
Immigration Services AgencyExternal site: a new window will open
2.10.2 Application for change of status of residence (Business Manager)External site: a new window will open Please click the Language selection panel and choose your language.
See Application for permission to change status of residence ⇒ Documents to be submitted.
Immigration Services AgencyExternal site: a new window will open
2.10.2 Application for change of status of residence (Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services)External site: a new window will open Please click the Language selection panel and choose your language.
See Application for permission to change status of residence ⇒ Documents to be submitted.
Immigration Services AgencyExternal site: a new window will open

Materials listed as ‘Reference’ contain samples of documents regarding registration, visa, taxation, personnel and labor matters that are necessary when a foreign company establishes a corporation or other entity in Japan. These documents are not published by competent authorities and therefore are not official. For those who are going through the official procedures, please obtain the latest official documents from the competent authorities and related bodies or consult a person who specializes in advising on such information and procedures.

The information contained in this documents should be used at the reader’s independent discretion. While JETRO makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information it provides, no responsibility is accepted by JETRO for any loss or damage incurred as a result of actions based on the information provided in these documents or provided by the external links listed on these pages.

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