2.13 Online Procedures and Digitalization of Residency Application

Formerly, only limited users, including the staff of affiliated organizations, attorneys at law, or administrative scriveners, were eligible to submit online residency applications. To further enhance the convenience, online submissions in person by foreign nationals who have a My Number Card are accepted now (excluding applications for “diplomat” and “temporary visitor”).

For details on the digitalization of immigration procedures and online residency application procedures, please see the following website.

Formerly, a paper Certificate of Eligibility was issued, but now it is possible to receive it via e-mail (March 2023).

The received e-mail can be forwarded to the foreign national residing abroad, eliminating the time, expense, and hassle of mailing the Certificate of Eligibility overseas. By presenting the e-mail with a smartphone, the foreign national living overseas can apply for a visa at a Japanese embassy or consulate abroad or apply for landing at an airport.

Those who can receive the Certificate of Eligibility by e-mail are limited to those who apply for the Certificate of Eligibility online or those who register online in advance and apply for the Certificate of Eligibility at a regional immigration bureau. For more information, please refer to the following website.

The disembarkation card (ED card) used by foreign nationals entering Japan has been digitalized. You need to enter information on the app in advance to use a digital disembarkation card. Minors and those unfamiliar with smartphone functions may continue to use conventional disembarkation cards (paper ED cards).

Only new entrants to Japan can use digital disembarkation cards, those re-entering the country (including those with special re-entry permissions) and those with special landing permissions are not eligible.