Information for a visa application with a Certificate of Eligibility (CoE)

"Certificate of Eligibility" (CoE)
Required documents for a visa application with a CoE
Applying at our office

A Certificate of Eligibility (zairyû shikaku nintei shômeisho) is a document that confirms the activities that the foreigner wishes to pursue in Japan. The advantage of this document is that it simplifies and speeds up the time needed to apply for a visa and also the examination when entering Japan.

For further information on the CoE (who should apply and when) , please refer to the following page: Certificate of Eligibility

All documents must be submitted without staples or folders.
* Nationals of CIS states, Georgia and Ukraine have to submit 2 application forms and 2 photographs.
 

1. Valid passport
2. if applicable: German residence permit
3. Certificate of Eligibility (CoE): original, a copy, or a printout of a digital CoE, when it is issued as a digital document. When entering Japan, the COE should also be brought with you in the original, as a copy or as a printout.
4. a visa application form *
5. a passport-sized photograph*

〇 Applications can be submitted at the earliest 3 months before departure, as the visa itself is valid for 3 months from the date of issue.
〇 The Japanese Consulate General Düsseldorf only accepts visa applications and visa requests from residents of North Rhine-Westphalia. For residents of other federal states, please refer to the list of embassies/consulates in Germany.
〇 Applications can only be submitted at our counter. We do NOT accept applications sent by mail.
〇 NO appointment is required to apply for a visa. Just come to our office during our opening hours.
〇 It takes 5-10 business days to issue a visa after we received the completed documents in original. In some cases the processing time can take longer. We do NOT have expedited services.
〇 If you are unable to appear for collecting a visa:
- it is possible to send the passport with the visa only if there is no visa fee, e.g. for Russian nationals and US citizen. Please bring a sufficiently stamped envelope with you when you apply.
- collecting a visa via authorized person is possible under certain circumstances with a signed power of attorney (free form) and ID of the representative. Please ask us when you apply.