Online Visa Application System Expanded to More Application Types

The situation

Effective March 24, 2020, the Japan Immigration Services Agency (ISA has expanded the online visa application system for eligible companies in Japan to apply for Certificate(s) of Eligibility, Change of Status of Residence, Acquisition of Status for Dependents, and Certificates of Authorized Employment for certain visa types.

A closer look

Online applications are available for the above processes in the following visa types:

• business managers;
• intracompany transferees;
• engineer/specialist in humanities/international services;
• highly-skilled professional; and
• skilled labour

Applications can also be filed online for dependents of these visa holders.

Background

• Previous eligibility. Online filing was made available in July 2019 for visa extensions, re-entry permits and part-time work permits. This is the first extension of the online filing system to more common visa and application types.
• Designated representative for filing. Eligible companies who have successfully registered an account at the ISA/Regional Immigration Services Bureau may submit applications through a designated employee and/or a designated immigration lawyer.
• Meeting eligibility requirements. Companies interested in using the online system must meet certain criteria such as completing government notification duties; having no record of immigration offences over the last five years; and sponsoring immigration-related applications for foreign employees multiple times over the last three years; among other requirements.

 

Impact

Having more visa processes eligible for online submission should reduce waiting times at the immigration office and should also lessen administrative burdens for employers, who would need to send their designated employee or immigration lawyer to the service center to file applications.

There is no additional cost for submitting applications through the online filing system and processing times for online applications should remain consistent with that the cost of manual applications.

Looking ahead

It is unclear whether and when the ISA would extend online submissions for the less common visa types (such as the various Designated Activities visa types) or other applications (e.g. spouse/children of Japanese national). Fragomen is tracking the progress of this expansion and will report on relevant developments.

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].