Specified Skilled Workers!

Would you like to bring your talent to life in Japan?
In April 2019, Japan established a new status of residence, “Specified Skilled Worker (SSW)”, to welcome capable specialists from overseas countries to work in certain Japanese industrial fields, to function as workers ready to take on jobs without prior training. This page will introduce information for those that want to play an active role in Japan by making use of the expertise and skills they have cultivated so far.

Application for COE (Certificate of Eligibility) for those who wish to stay/live in Japan

Any foreigner who wants to enter Japan for non-temporary reasons has to apply for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE).

The Certificate of Eligibility for Japan is a document you have to get before you can apply for a long-term Japan Visa, such as a Work Visa , Student Visa , or Marriage Visa . However, it is the Immigration Services in Japan who issue Certificates of Eligibility, so you need a sponsor or proxy in Japan to handle the application on your behalf.

The purpose of the Japan Certificate of Eligibility is to facilitate the visa application process. It serves as approval from the Japanese Immigration Services that you meet the entry requirements as set by the Japanese government.

As such, the Certificate of Eligibility for Japan is not the same as a visa; it is merely a pre-requisite before you apply for a Japan visa.