Japan – Visa Application System available Online
Effective July 25, 2019, visa renewal applications for Business Managers, Intracompany Transfers, Engineer/Specialist/International Services, Highly Skilled Professionals, and Skilled Laborers can be submitted online via the Immigration Services Agency. Visa renewals for dependents and re-entry permit applications can also be submitted online. The online system is currently not available to Certificate of Eligibility applications but may open in the future.
The company must be registered for an account at the Regional Immigration Services Bureau in order to use the online system. It would allow the user in Japan to access the system 24 hours a day to check on the application status.
The online system was implemented to reduce wait times at the Regional Immigration Services Bureau. The processing of the applications online is the same for those submitted manually.
Employers who may benefit from this are encouraged to contact their immigration specialist for case-specific advice.