Long-term Resident — Japan

You pay a government fee when your long-term resident visa is issued. Processing usually takes several weeks to a few months. Timelines and handling differ by status category and where you apply, so confirm details with the Immigration Services Agency of Japan (ISA) or the Japanese embassy or consulate handling your case.

Visa issuance fee and payment

Japan charges a visa issuance fee of ¥6,000 for a long-term resident visa, including a multiple-entry visa (as of February 2026). This fee is paid when the visa is issued, not when you first submit your application.

If you apply outside Japan, you submit your application at a Japanese embassy or consulate in your country of residence. The embassy or consulate collects the issuance fee after approving your visa.

If you apply inside Japan through a Form CoE Application or status change at ISA, follow payment instructions from the regional office. Always verify the current fee and payment method directly with:

• The Immigration Services Agency of Japan (ISA) for in-country procedures
• The relevant Japanese embassy or consulate for overseas applications

Typical processing windows

Processing for long-term resident status under the standard track usually takes 1 to 3 months (as of March 2026). This applies to many CoE Applications and in-country status changes handled by ISA.

If you apply at a Japanese embassy or consulate after your Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) is issued, visa processing often takes about 5 business days. It can take longer during busy seasons or if your file needs more review.

You should:

1. Submit your CoE Application as early as possible.

2. Apply at the embassy or consulate at least 2–3 weeks before your planned travel date.

3. Confirm current timelines directly with the issuing authority, as workloads vary by region.

Priority categories such as Highly Skilled Professional may get faster CoE handling than standard cases.

Category and location differences

processing times and administrative handling vary by both status category and application location. ISA manages applications inside Japan, while embassies and consulates handle overseas Visa Applications.

Some categories move faster due to internal prioritization. For example:

• Highly Skilled Professional applications often get expedited CoE processing.
• Statuses like Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident, Intra-company Transferee, or Specified Skilled Worker (i) follow standard review timelines unless ISA notifies otherwise.

Location matters. A regional ISA office with a heavy caseload may take closer to the upper end of the 1–3 month range.

If you plan to transition later to Permanent Residence, factor in these timelines when organizing your long-term immigration plans. Always verify current processing expectations with ISA before you file.

You can’t apply for a Japan long-term resident visa without a Certificate of Eligibility (CoE). Your sponsor in Japan files first, then you complete the Form Visa Application with the required documents and photo that meet strict standards.

Certificate of Eligibility: sponsor steps

You need a Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) before you submit your Visa Application. The Immigration Services Agency of Japan (ISA) issues the CoE.

Your sponsor in Japan must file the Form CoE Application at the regional ISA office. You can’t apply for the CoE yourself if you’re outside Japan.

Your sponsor may be:

• An employer
• A school
• A family member

This requirement applies to long-term stays, including work and study. It also affects applicants connected to statuses such as Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident, Highly Skilled Professional, Intra-company Transferee, or Specified Skilled Worker (i) where sponsorship is needed.

Start early. CoE processing usually takes 1–3 months.

Your sponsor must submit complete and accurate documents. Missing evidence causes delays.

Filling, signing, and submitting the form

After ISA issues the CoE, you prepare your Visa Application.

Complete all required sections of the form. Don’t leave fields blank unless the form instructs you to do so. Sign the form where required.

Submit:

1. Your completed and signed application form

2. Your passport

3. The issued Certificate of Eligibility

4. Supporting documents relevant to your status

If you apply based on employment, include detailed company documentation and proof of your qualifications. Incomplete corporate records or missing diplomas often delay review.

ISA reviews your materials for consistency with the CoE. Any discrepancy can slow processing.

Document checklist and photo rules

Prepare your documents carefully. ISA applies strict technical standards, especially for photos.

Basic checklist:

• Valid passport
• Certificate of Eligibility
• Completed and signed Visa Application form
• Status-specific supporting documents

For work-related categories, include:

• Company registration documents
• Recent financial statements
• Your academic diplomas
• Your employment history

Your photo must meet all of the following:

• Size: 4.5 cm x 4.5 cm
• Taken within the last 6 months
• Plain white background
• No hats
• No sunglasses

Non-compliant photos are a common reason for delays. Confirm measurements and background before submission to avoid resubmitting your application.

Permanent Residence gives you a distinct status under Japan’s immigration system. The Immigration Services Agency of Japan (ISA) manages this status and any related applications or changes.

This status is different from work‑specific or family‑based categories. That distinction affects how you approach employment, family sponsorship, and future Form Visa Application procedures.

Work and activities allowed

Permanent Residence stands apart from employer‑linked categories such as Highly Skilled Professional, Intra-company Transferee, and Specified Skilled Worker (i). Those statuses are granted for defined activities, while Permanent Residence is issued as its own category by the ISA.

You don't apply under a predefined activity label like “engineer” or “intra-company transferee” when you hold Permanent Residence. Your status itself is the basis of stay.

If you later submit a Visa Application or a status-related filing with the ISA, you apply as a Permanent Resident rather than under a work-restricted category. This changes how your status appears in official records.

The ISA handles all status changes and extensions. You need to follow its procedures for any update to your residence record.

Special categories and examples

Japan’s immigration system includes family‑based categories such as Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident. This status isn't the same as Permanent Residence and has its own eligibility requirements under ISA rules.

A family member doesn't automatically get Permanent Residence. They must qualify under the appropriate category and complete a Visa Application or Form CoE Application (Certificate of Eligibility) when required by the ISA.

Other professional categories, including Highly Skilled Professional and Intra-company Transferee, also remain separate from Permanent Residence. Each requires its own application and review process.

When comparing categories, focus on:

• The exact status name granted by the ISA
• Whether a CoE Application is required
• Whether the status is activity-based or independently classified

Your rights and procedures depend on the specific status printed on your residence record. Always confirm the correct category before submitting any application to the ISA.

Japan Long-Term Resident status can be a stepping stone toward Permanent Residence and, eventually, Japanese nationality. Your strategy depends on your family ties, employment category, and how long you have maintained lawful residence under the Immigration Services Agency of Japan (ISA).

Typical next steps after this visa

Many long-term residents first stabilize their status before pursuing permanent residence or naturalization. You must keep your residence status valid and file any Form Visa Application or extension with the ISA before your period of stay expires.

Common progression routes include:

1. Change of Status of Residence to a work-based category such as:

Highly Skilled Professional

1. Intra-company Transferee

2. Specified Skilled Worker (i)

3. Family-based status changes, such as:

Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident

If you plan to change status, you submit a Change of Status application to the ISA. If you apply from outside Japan, you typically need a Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) Application before obtaining the visa at a Japanese consulate.

You must continue meeting the conditions of your current status until any change is approved.

Permanent residence and longer-term options

Permanent Residence removes the need to renew your period of stay. The ISA reviews your residence history, stability, and compliance with immigration law.

You generally must show:

• Continuous lawful residence in Japan
• Good conduct and compliance with Japanese law
• Stable income or financial support
• Proper tax and social insurance payments

If you qualify under another category, such as Highly Skilled Professional or Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident, that status may support a future Permanent Residence application. You apply directly to the ISA for Permanent Residence while living in Japan.

After obtaining Permanent Residence, you may later consider naturalization as a Japanese citizen. Naturalization follows a separate legal process and requires a formal application to the appropriate authority, with final approval granted under Japanese nationality law.

Most refusals for Japan long-term resident–related statuses result from preventable filing errors. The Immigration Services Agency of Japan (ISA) checks your forms, supporting documents, and jurisdiction carefully, and inconsistencies often lead to rejection rather than a simple correction request.

Incomplete or inconsistent information

ISA frequently refuses applications when details don't match across forms and documents. Even small differences in spelling, dates, salary, or employment terms can cause rejection.

This issue often arises between the Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) Application and the later Form Visa Application. If your job title, compensation, contract dates, or personal information differ, ISA may treat the application as unreliable.

Common problem areas include:

• Name format not matching your passport exactly
• Different employment terms between CoE and visa filings
• Mismatched dates of birth or marital status
• Salary figures that change without explanation

This applies across categories such as Highly Skilled Professional, Intra-company Transferee, Specified Skilled Worker (i), and Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident.

Before submission, make sure every detail matches your passport and previously filed documents exactly. Review both applications side by side if you are filing after CoE approval.

Photo, passport, and filing-location mistakes

ISA may delay or reject your application if your photograph doesn't meet strict specifications. You must submit a 4.5 cm × 4.5 cm photo taken within the last six months, with a white background and no accessories.

Photos that are the wrong size, too old, or taken against colored backgrounds often cause processing delays.

Filing at the wrong location leads to rejection. You must:

1. Apply at the Japanese Embassy or Consulate that has jurisdiction over your place of residence.

2. File CoE-related documents at the regional immigration office that has jurisdiction over your sponsor’s location in Japan.

Applicants sometimes file based on intended residence in Japan rather than the sponsor’s registered address. ISA doesn't accept that approach.

For long-term categories requiring a CoE, including work-based statuses and dependent categories, you must obtain CoE approval before submitting the visa application.

Sponsor/company documentation errors

Your sponsor plays a central role in work-based and dependent applications. If the company submits incomplete documentation, ISA often pauses or rejects the case.

Common missing documents include:

• Company registration certificate (登記事項証明書)
• Most recent financial statements
• A written business overview

These documents support applications under statuses such as Highly Skilled Professional, Intra-company Transferee, and Specified Skilled Worker (i).

If the sponsor files the CoE at the wrong regional office, ISA may reject the filing outright. The correct office is determined by the sponsor’s registered location, not your planned address in Japan.

Confirm that your sponsor reviews all corporate documents for completeness and consistency before submission. Incomplete sponsor documentation typically results in delay, but serious discrepancies can lead to refusal.