Most Japan visa applications follow one of two routes, and which one applies to you depends entirely on the visa category.
The Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) route. For most work visas, the student visa, and family-based visas, a sponsor in Japan — your employer, school, or spouse — first applies to a regional immigration bureau for a Certificate of Eligibility on your behalf. Once issued, you take the CoE to a Japanese embassy or consulate abroad to get the actual visa stamped in your passport, then travel to Japan.
The direct embassy route. Short-term visas — tourism, family visits, short business trips — skip the CoE step entirely. You apply directly at an embassy, consulate, or (for eligible nationalities) online through the eVisa system.
Each stage, step by step
- Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) — what it is, who files it, and how long it takes
- Required Documents Checklist — what to gather, by visa category
- Visa Interview & Embassy Application — what happens at the consulate
- Processing Times — realistic timelines at each stage
- Changing Status of Residence — switching categories once you're already in Japan
- Extending or Renewing Your Status — renewals, timing, and the new fee caps
One procedural note: Japan does not issue a separate "work permit." Your residence status itself defines what work you're allowed to do, so choosing the right category at the application stage matters more here than in many other countries — see Visa Types if you haven't settled on one yet, and Eligibility & Requirements to check you qualify before you file.