When foreigners live in Japan, they often use the term “visa”

For example:

• “I have a Japanese visa.”
• “I want to renew my visa.”
• “I want to change my visa.”

However, in order to understand Japan’s immigration system accurately, it is necessary to consider “visa” and “status of residence” as two different things.

1. What Is a Visa?

A visa is issued by a Japanese embassy, consulate-general, or other Japanese diplomatic mission abroad to a foreign national before they enter Japan.

A visa is a document used when applying to land in Japan.

For example, suppose a foreign national living overseas is coming to Japan to work for a Japanese company.

In the past, a visa was generally issued as a sticker placed in the passport.

Today, Japan also has the JAPAN eVISA system.

With an eVISA, a “Visa issuance notice” is displayed on a smartphone or other device.

The Visa issuance notice is not a screenshot, PDF file, or printed document. The actual screen must be displayed on an internet-connected device.

A QR code can be used to enter the information required for the procedure.

2. What Is a Status of Residence?

A “status of residence” determines what activities a foreign national can engage in while staying in Japan, or what status or position allows them to reside in Japan.

In simple terms, it can be thought of as the “contents inside the box” represented by the visa.

Examples include:

• Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services
• Business Manager
• Student
• Dependent
• Specified Skilled Worker
• Spouse or Child of Japanese National
• Permanent Resident

Each status of residence has its own rules regarding permitted activities and periods of stay.

For example, a person with the “Student” status of residence is generally not permitted to work.

However, with permission to engage in activities outside the scope of their status of residence, they may work part-time within certain limits.

Therefore, when considering what a foreign national can actually do in Japan, the status of residence is more important than the visa.

3. What Is the Difference Between a Visa and a Status of Residence?

The basic difference can be understood as follows:

Visa (査証) → The “box” related to entering Japan and applying to land in Japan

Status of residence → Determines what activities a foreign national can engage in while residing in Japan, or what status or position allows them to reside in Japan. In other words, it is the “contents inside the box.”

When a foreign national living overseas comes to Japan for a purpose other than a short-term stay, such as working in Japan, studying in Japan, or living with family in Japan, the usual process is to first work with a Japanese administrative scrivener or someone from the company in Japan to obtain a COE, and then apply for a visa at a Japanese embassy or consulate abroad.

The general flow is:

Application for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
↓
Issuance of the COE
↓
Application for a visa at a Japanese embassy or consulate abroad
↓
Issuance of the visa
↓
Travel to Japan
↓
Landing examination
↓
Determination of the status of residence and period of stay

However, the issuance of a COE does not guarantee that a visa will be issued.

Likewise, the issuance of a visa does not guarantee that the foreign national will be permitted to land in Japan.

The final decision on whether the person will be permitted to land is made during the landing examination at the airport or other point of entry.

4. How Long Does It Take to Obtain a COE and a Visa?

According to the Immigration Services Agency of Japan, the standard processing period for a COE is approximately 1 to 3 months.

The standard processing period for a visa is about 5 business days from the day after the application is accepted, provided there are no problems with the application.

However, it may take longer if additional documents are required, an interview is necessary, or consultation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is required.

When applying for a visa for a long-term stay without a COE, the process may take several weeks to several months.

As a practical guide, you can generally think of the process as:

COE: 1–3 months → Visa: about 5 business days

In reality, however, the process may take longer depending on the circumstances.

If you have a fixed employment start date, school start date, or family-related schedule, it is important to begin the procedures as early as possible.

5. After Entering Japan, Your Status of Residence Is More Important Than Your Visa

After entering Japan, the status of residence becomes particularly important.

For example:

• Extending your period of stay
• Changing from Student status to a work-related status
• Checking whether your new job is permitted under your current status of residence when changing jobs
• Applying for permanent residence

In everyday conversation, foreigners may say “visa renewal” when they actually mean an extension of their period of stay.

Likewise, “visa change” may actually mean a change of status of residence.

Foreigners commonly use the term “visa” because it is more familiar and easier to understand.

For example:

• “Japan visa”
• “work visa”
• “student visa”
• “spouse visa”

These expressions are widely used in everyday conversation.

Therefore, when providing consultation in Japan, it is important to clarify what the person actually means by “visa.”

They may be talking about:

• a visa
• a COE
• a change of status of residence
• an extension of the period of stay

6. Visa Exemption

Japan has visa exemption arrangements with certain countries and regions.

As of October 2026, ordinary passport holders from 74 countries and regions are exempt from obtaining a short-term visa under certain conditions.

Eligible nationals can enter Japan without obtaining a visa in advance for purposes such as tourism, business, or visiting friends or relatives.

However, visa exemption does not mean that the person is free to work in Japan or stay for a long period.

They must still undergo a landing examination upon arrival in Japan.

If landing permission is granted, the person will generally be granted the “Temporary Visitor” status of residence.

7. How Long Can You Stay Without a Visa?

The period of stay available under visa exemption differs depending on the country or region and may also depend on passport requirements.

As of October 2026:

• Indonesia and Thailand: 15 days
• Brunei: 30 days
• Many other countries and regions: 90 days

Some countries have requirements concerning the type of passport that must be held, and special conditions may also apply.

Therefore, it is important to check the latest requirements before entering Japan.

３　Main Residence and Immigration Applications in Japan

９　Submitting Immigration Applications on Behalf of Foreign Nationals in Japan

10　The Immigration Inspection Process in Japan