Visa with Certificate of Eligibility (CoE)
2026/5/18
We only accept applications from persons residing in Bavaria or Baden-Wurttemberg.
If you do not live in our area, please check here where you should apply.
The information on this page is only valid for applications in Munich.
→ comprehensive information for exchange students concerning the CoE, visa application, arrival and departure, etc.
- long-term stays: work transfer, exchange studies, family reunion, etc.
- activities with remuneration from the Japanese side: artistic performances, visiting professorship, etc.
The contact in Japan (e.g. employer, language school) has to apply for the CoE at the local Japanese Immigration Bureau. After review and issuance of the CoE, it will be sent to the applicant. The CoE only confirms that the applicant fulfils the requirements for a certain visa category, but it does not substitute a visa.
After receiving the CoE, the corresponding visa must therefore still be applied for - the necessary documents for the application can be found below. The entry into Japan must take place within three months of the CoE’s issuance date.
If you do not live in our area, please check here where you should apply.
The information on this page is only valid for applications in Munich.
→ comprehensive information for exchange students concerning the CoE, visa application, arrival and departure, etc.
What is a Certificate of Eligibility?
For many visa categories, a so-called Certificate of Eligibility (CoE, 在留資格認定証明書, zairyû shikaku nintei shômeisho) is required for the application, for example:- long-term stays: work transfer, exchange studies, family reunion, etc.
- activities with remuneration from the Japanese side: artistic performances, visiting professorship, etc.
The contact in Japan (e.g. employer, language school) has to apply for the CoE at the local Japanese Immigration Bureau. After review and issuance of the CoE, it will be sent to the applicant. The CoE only confirms that the applicant fulfils the requirements for a certain visa category, but it does not substitute a visa.
After receiving the CoE, the corresponding visa must therefore still be applied for - the necessary documents for the application can be found below. The entry into Japan must take place within three months of the CoE’s issuance date.
Important Information
▸ Please do not staple documents, but hand in loose papers, and please take off any passport cover!
▸ All documents not requested in original should be handed in as copies (in DIN A4 format).
▸ Please do not fill out the documents with erasable pens.
▸ The processing of your application can start only after all documents are submitted completely and correctly.
▸ The Consulate reserves the right to request additional documents after reviewing your application.
▸ All documents not requested in original should be handed in as copies (in DIN A4 format).
▸ Please do not fill out the documents with erasable pens.
▸ The processing of your application can start only after all documents are submitted completely and correctly.
▸ The Consulate reserves the right to request additional documents after reviewing your application.
Necessary Documents - Application with CoE
1. valid passport (original + copy)
- instructions for the passport copy
- when applying by post: copy only (Only for persons not living near Munich! Details here.)
- with at least 1 full free page
2. application form (completed and with original sign)
* Citizens of Russia, Ukraine, Georgia and all other NIS states have to submit two application forms. (Full list here.)
- For children, a parent should sign and add „signed by mother / father“.
- detailed information on how to fill out the form: FAQ
3. recent passport photo (full-frontal view of face, no scans or copied photos)
* Citizens of Russia, Ukraine, Georgia and all other NIS states have to submit two photos. (Full list here.)
- not older than 6 months
- size: 35 x 45 mm to 45 x 45 mm
4. Certificate of Eligibility
- copy or printout *
* CoEs are mostly issued in digital form as an e-mail (example). Please submit a printout of the e-mail (the Japanese part is sufficient). If you receive a CoE in paper form, we only need a copy for your application. If you also receive the original by post, please take it with you when you enter Japan.
5. only for non-EU-citizens: copy of the German residence permit
- front and back (The whole card must be visible.)
- A temporary permit ("Fiktionsbescheinigung") is also accepted.
- only for short-term stays (up to 3 months): The residence permit (or Fiktionsbescheinigung) must be valid until after your return to Germany! For longer stays, the validity of the residence permit must only cover your departure from Germany.
Do you have any questions about the application documents?
You can find many answers in our ▸ FAQ! There is also some information about multiple-entry visas.
- instructions for the passport copy
- when applying by post: copy only (Only for persons not living near Munich! Details here.)
- with at least 1 full free page
2. application form (completed and with original sign)
* Citizens of Russia, Ukraine, Georgia and all other NIS states have to submit two application forms. (Full list here.)
- For children, a parent should sign and add „signed by mother / father“.
- detailed information on how to fill out the form: FAQ
3. recent passport photo (full-frontal view of face, no scans or copied photos)
* Citizens of Russia, Ukraine, Georgia and all other NIS states have to submit two photos. (Full list here.)
- not older than 6 months
- size: 35 x 45 mm to 45 x 45 mm
4. Certificate of Eligibility
- copy or printout *
* CoEs are mostly issued in digital form as an e-mail (example). Please submit a printout of the e-mail (the Japanese part is sufficient). If you receive a CoE in paper form, we only need a copy for your application. If you also receive the original by post, please take it with you when you enter Japan.
5. only for non-EU-citizens: copy of the German residence permit
- front and back (The whole card must be visible.)
- A temporary permit ("Fiktionsbescheinigung") is also accepted.
- only for short-term stays (up to 3 months): The residence permit (or Fiktionsbescheinigung) must be valid until after your return to Germany! For longer stays, the validity of the residence permit must only cover your departure from Germany.
Do you have any questions about the application documents?
You can find many answers in our ▸ FAQ! There is also some information about multiple-entry visas.
