Foreign nationals seeking to enter Japan for the first time must apply for landing and bear the burden of proof to demonstrate that they meet all landing conditions. It is a natural requirement, as unconditional entry cannot be granted. It is crucial to understand that the responsibility for “proving eligibility” lies with the applicant; the Japanese government does not prepare or arrange the necessary evidence for you.
Below, we explain the specific landing conditions and the required documents to prove your eligibility.
The examination is conducted by an Immigration Inspector from the Immigration Services Agency of Japan.
Landing Conditions (Examination Criteria)
Landing conditions are verified at Japanese airports or seaports. All of the following criteria must be met:
- You do not fall under any grounds for denial of landing.
- You possess a valid passport.
- You possess a valid visa (if required).
- Your purpose of entry is true and not fraudulent.
- Your activities in Japan fall under a valid Status of Residence (excluding Highly Skilled Professional (ii) and Permanent Residents).
- Your requested period of stay is within the limits prescribed by law.
Pre-screening by Airlines
In practice, the landing process begins before you reach Japan. Airlines or shipping companies will perform a brief check of the following items before you board your flight or ship to Japan:
- Validity of your passport.
- Possession of a visa.
- Certificate of Eligibility (COE), if applicable.
This is because carriers are legally responsible for returning passengers to their point of origin if they are denied landing in Japan (Carrier Responsibility). Therefore, they pre-check these items before boarding.
Required Documents for Landing Application
The following documents are required to prove you meet the landing conditions:
- Passport
- Visa
- Disembarkation Card (E/D Card)
- Certificate of Eligibility (COE) – Present the original or digital copy.
- Biometrics (Fingerprints and facial photo for those aged 16 and over).
*For statuses such as “Highly Skilled Professional (i)” and “Specified Skilled Worker,” a Certificate of Eligibility is mandatory.
If Landing is Approved
If you meet all conditions, a landing permission sticker will be placed in your passport. For mid-to-long-term residents, a Residence Card will be issued at this point.
Contents of the Landing Permission Sticker:
- Status of Residence
- Period of Stay
- Date of Landing
- Port of Entry
The landing examination concludes here, and you may officially enter Japan. Legally, you have finally “landed” at this moment. Under the legal fiction of the system, you are considered not to have disembarked from the aircraft or vessel until you pass this examination.
If Landing is Not Approved
If you fail to prove that you meet the landing conditions, you will not pass the initial screening by the Immigration Inspector. However, you are not immediately sent back to your country based on this first screening alone.
In such cases, the case is handed over to a Special Inquiry Officer, and you will be given an opportunity to present your case through an “Oral Hearing” regarding the matters that could not be verified.