Required Documents

Follwoing documents are required for dependent Certificate of Eligibility (COE) application

1. COE application form (在留資格 認定証明書 フォーム ・ Zairyūshikaku ninteishōmeisho fōmu)
2. Dependent’s photo (1 copy, it will be attached to the form)
   • Taken within 3 months
   • Dimention: 30mm (Width) x 40mm (Height)
3. Envelope (封筒 ・ Fūtō)
   • Dimention: 120mm x 235mm (長形3号 ・ Nagagata sangō)
   • 404 yen stamp on the envelope
   • Your address, name & mobile number written on the envelope (this envelope will be used to send COE)
4. Photocopy of your residence card (both sides)
5. Photocopy of your passport (main page, plus all used pages)
6. Photocopy of dependent’s passport (main page, plus all used pages)
7. Photocopy of Marriage Certificate
   • English is ok
   • If marriage certificate is in other language, then Japanese translation is required
8. Your Employment Certificate (在職証明書 ・ Zaishoku shōmeisho)
9. Your Certificate of Residence (住民票 ・ Jūminhyō)
10. Tax certificates:
    • Nōzei shōmeisho (納税証明書)
    • Kazei shōmeisho (課税証明書)

※Notes:

• They might ask you to submit photos of you and your spouse on the day of wedding (I did not submit any wedding photos, but some people said that they were asked to submit photos)
• Jūminhyō (住民票), Nōzei shōmeisho (納税証明書) & Kazei shōmeisho (課税証明書) can be collected from city office or can be printed from convinient store printer using my number card

COE Application Form

Download COE Application Form:

• Go to: https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/procedures/16-1-1.html
• “11　【家族滞在】” > Download PDF or Excel

About COE Application Form:

• Japanese: 在留資格認定証明書 交付申請書 家族滞在用
• Pronunciation: Zairyūshikaku ninteishōmeisho kōfushinseisho kazokutaizaiyō
• English meaning: Status of Residence Certificate Issuance Application Form For Family (dependent) Stay
• Explanation:
  • 在留資格認定証明書:
    • 在留 (ざいりゅう) - Residence / residing (esp. abroad); staying; living
    • 在留資格 (ざいりゅうしかく) - status of residence (Residence status/visa status/immigration status)
    • 認定 (にんてい) - recognition/acknowledgment/authorization
    • 証明書 (しょうめいしょ) - certificate; testimonial
    • 認定証明書 (にんていしょうめいしょ) - Certificate of Eligibility
    • 在留資格認定証明書 (ざいりゅうしかくにんていしょうめいしょ) - Certificate of Eligibility for Resident Status
  • 交付申請書:
    • 交付申請 (こうふしんせい) - Grant application
    • 交付申請書 (こうふしんせいしょ) - Grant application form; written application form
  • 家族滞在用:
    • 家族滞在 (かぞくたいざい) - dependent (e.g. in a family)
    • 家族滞在用 (かぞくたいざいよう) - For family stay

Sample Documents

COE Application Form

Envelope

Employment Certificate (在職証明書)

Marriage Certificate

Residence Card

Passport (main page, plus used pages)

Jūminhyō (住民票)

Nōzei shōmeisho (納税証明書)

Kazei shōmeisho (課税証明書)

Submitting Application Form and Documents

Following instruction is for Tokyo region (process is should be the same for other regions too):

• Go “Tokyo Regional Immigration Services Bureau”
  • Go to shinagawa station
  • Go out through central exit (konan)
  • There is a bus destined to “Tokyo Regional Immigration Services Bureau”
• 1st floor, counter E
• Get a serial token (press red button on the token machine)
• Wait, they will call by token number
• Submit the form and documents
  • They will check your documents (will ask you to wait)
  • Might ask additional documents or photos
  • You will receive a reciept on successful submission

※Notes:

• It might take 2 to 4 weeks
• The COE will be sent to you by using the envelope you submitted

Helpful Links

• Immigration Service Agency (isa): https://www.isa.go.jp/en/applications/procedures/16-1-1.html
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs (mofa): https://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/long/visa9.html