For Persons Who Wish to Enter Japan after the Expiration of

their Certificate of Eligibility, Due to the Great East Japan Earthquake

 

April 4, 2011

 

Although in principle any person applying for a visa with a Certificate of Eligibility is to enter Japan during the period of validity of the Certificate of Eligibility (within three months from the date of issue), the following special measure has been introduced for cases where such a person wishes to enter Japan after the expiration of the Certificate of Eligibility because of a postponement of their travel plans due to the Great East Japan Earthquake. However, this special measure only applies until August 31 2011. Please inquire at your nearest Japanese Embassy or Consulate-General for further details.

 

The persons covered by this special measure and the required documents for visa applications are as follows.

 

1.           Persons who have already been issued a visa based on a Certificate of Eligibility

 

(1)          In cases where the visa has expired

(Cases where a person holds a visa and a Certificate of Eligibility that were valid on March 11 but have both since expired due to postponement of travel following the Great East Japan Earthquake.)

 

A.      Visa applications will be accepted upon confirmation that the person will enter Japan by August 31 2011. The visa fee will be waived.

 

B.      Documents required for visa application

(a)     Visa application form

(b)     Photograph

(c)     Passport

(d)     Certificate of eligibility

(e)     Document proving that the person will continue to engage in the activities for which the Certificate of Eligibility was granted.

Please note that additional documents and/or interviews may be required by the Japanese Embassy or Consulate-General.

 

(2)     In cases where the holder of a valid visa is unable to enter Japan before the visa expires

(Cases where a person has a Certificate of Eligibility that was valid on March 11 but is unable to enter Japan before their current visa expires because of a postponement of travel to Japan due to the Great East Japan Earthquake)

 

A.      Visa applications will be accepted upon confirmation that the person will enter Japan by August 31 2011. The visa fee will be waived.

 

B.      Documents required for visa application

(a)     Visa application form

(b)     Photograph

(c)     Passport

(d)     Certificate of Eligibility

(e)     Document proving that the person will continue to engage in the activities for which the Certificate of Eligibility was granted.

Please note that additional documents and/or interviews may be required by the Japanese Embassy or Consulate-General.

 

(3)     In cases where the holder of a valid visa will enter Japan before the visa expires

(Cases where a person will enter Japan before the expiration of their current visa but their Certificate of Eligibility will have expired by the time he/she enters Japan)

 

Such a person may enter Japan, provided they do so by August 31 and within the period of validity of their visa. However, such persons are recommended to carry documents proving that they will continue to engage in the activities for which the Certificate of Eligibility was granted. There may be a check during the immigration inspection as to whether the entrant is eligible for the status of residence certified by their Certificate of Eligibility.

 

2.       Persons with a Certificate of Eligibility who have not submitted a visa application due to the Great East Japan Earthquake

 

(1)     Cases where such a personfs Certificate of Eligibility was valid on March 11 but has since expired, or where such a personfs Certificate of Eligibility is valid but the person will not be able to enter Japan before it expires

 

A.      Visa applications will be accepted upon confirmation that the person will enter Japan by August 31 2011. The visa fee will be payable, except for citizens of those countries eligible for the visa fee waiver.

 

B.      Documents required for visa application

(a)     Visa application form

(b)     Photograph

(c)     Passport

(d)     Certificate of eligibility

(e)     Document proving that the person will continue to engage in the activities for which the Certificate of Eligibility was granted.

Please note that additional documents and/or interviews may be required by the Japanese Embassy or Consulate-General.

 

(2)     Persons who are able to enter Japan during the period of validity of their Certificate of Eligibility

 

Such persons are to submit a visa application with their Certificate of Eligibility. Please check with the Japanese Embassy or Consulate-General to which the visa application is being submitted for details about any documents required for the visa application in addition to the visa application form, photograph, passport, and Certificate of Eligibility. The visa fee will be payable, except for citizens of those countries eligible for the visa fee waiver.