COE processing times

I believe that it takes longer than before. More people apply for the CoE and it takes about 2 months at least (from my experience).

Hey all!

I am an American starting a postdoc at a federal research institution in Japan. My sponsor submitted my COE application to the Tokyo Immigration Bureau on 30 September 2022, and I just learned that my COE for a researcher visa was issued on 13 October 2022.

I had just been reading this thread for comfort and preparing for a long wait, so I was shocked to receive an email from my sponsor just now. I hope this gives hope to those still waiting!

みなさんがんばれ！

Dear Paleo,

It’s a great news that you got your CoE just in 2 weeks. This is more likely because you applied for the post doc program. Better a person has a education level, then it is a big advantage on the application. If it is even a well-known Japanese institution, then it is a double advantage. If you prepared well documents, or your school prepared behalf of you pretty well, then it is another advantage. All these advantages can move your application to faster consideration of the application. It really depends on person. Some people get faster than expected, some later than expected.

I wish you all the best! Hope you will enjoy your life in Iapan!

My company sent in my application for CoE as a software engineer in Tokyo, for a small/medium company, on 2nd September, so 45 days ago now.

On Friday (14th Oct) they called and asked a clarifying question (whether I’d had a CoE before when I spent time in Japan).

My company has given them the update now and they said they’d get in touch if they had any further questions… No idea if that suggests it will be issued soon or not 😬

Had you stayed in Japan before?

If so, rhey can wonder why you did not add that information to your application. But, if you did not, then do not worry about that. When it comes to labor visa, they need to clarify many things. if they contacted you, then they are into cosideration to give you a permission to work in Japan. I really hope that you can get yours soon! Be patient and do other stuff while waiting your CoE

My immigration lawyer (From Sirva) had submitted my application on 17/10 and we are expecting to receive the COE within 2-3 weeks. We applied it in Kyoto for my work visa.
Anyone got their COE within 2 weeks?

@Maggie1212121993 (guest)

My documents were submitted to immigration at August 23rd, But still not COE was received.

Oh, In which Immigration of Bureau you applied in? And is it work visa? My company is a well known 5 Stars Hotel, I’m not sure if the size of the company will help to speed up the process.

I will be working in Kyoto starting November 7, however my COE has not passed yet. My Boss submitted the application on September 20 to the Osaka immigration board. It the Specialist in Humanities Visa, and I have a college degree. For other workers who went through the Osaka board recently, what was your timeline?

Hi there, did your immigration lawyer mentioned how long will it takes to receive it? I’m following up with my lawyer as she mentioned it will max takes 3 weeks. For me just 1 week had passed. I’m also curious anyone submitted in Osaka and get any reply?

@maggie12121293 (guest)
My lawyer submitted it to the Tokyo immigration office on 23rd August.. Now 2 months also have gone. The visa category is engineer/specialist in humanities/international services.

july 23rd we signed the documents , we dont know what day they passed it to immigration. but let say they passed it by august first week . its the last week for october , but still no coe . not even heard any single word. 3month already. i begun to to panic

Which Immigration board did it go to?

My employer submitted the COE papers on Oct 6th/7th, still waiting for the CoE.
Not sure how long it will took but hopefully not too much longer since my life is basically on standby until then.

Anyone know how long it's been taking?

tokyo immigration🥺 nor word as of now. applying for tokutei ginou visa.

I sent an email to my lawyer yesterday asking for the processing time of the COE and she replied below:
For applications in Tokyo, the COE usually takes 3 – 4 weeks to be issued, but different areas can have slightly different processing times. A recent case in Kyoto was issued within 2 weeks, but I’m afraid we cannot guarantee that will be the case for your application. I would recommend that you consider up to 3 weeks.

So I guess is really based on the immigration that you submitted your application, the visa type and perhaps the company size as well. The bigger and popular they are, the more foreigners employees they used, the faster we get our visa I think.
Love to hear from everybody if they have some news or updates.

I sent an email to my lawyer yesterday asking for the processing time of the COE and she replied below:
For applications in Tokyo, the COE usually takes 3 – 4 weeks to be issued, but different areas can have slightly different processing times. A recent case in Kyoto was issued within 2 weeks, but I’m afraid we cannot guarantee that will be the case for your application. I would recommend that you consider up to 3 weeks.

So I guess is really based on the immigration that you submitted your application, the visa type and perhaps the company size as well. The bigger and popular they are, the more foreigners employees they used, the faster we get our visa I think.
Love to hear from everybody if they have some news or updates.

My immigration lawyer just get back to me that the immigration is reconfirming my visit history of Japan. So I guess is a good news also bad, good news is that they really actually processing and bad is now my lawyer need to prepare explanation letter to explain.

After the 152days I got my COE today. be patient all, all the best...

@Sanjiva

What visa type did you apply? and where in japan immigration did you pass?