This will be a short post because halfway during my research, I found the most holistic guide, that really covers all grounds and makes my series look elementary. Do check the SSAJ’s Guide here.
I realised I had to look into a few things before heading over. I have always heard the stereotype of a mountain of paperwork to settle when entering Japan, and was bracing for the worst. However, with a strong Singaporean passport, most of the processes were very easy and I just had to settle the following documents:
Certificate of Eligibility (COE) and Student Visa
Resident Card and Part-Time Work Approval
Updating Address on Resident Card
Certificate of Eligibility (COE) and Student Visa
What is a COE and why is it important?
As stated by VisaGuide.World, the certificate is meant for foreigners entering Japan on a non-temporary visit. It serves as an ‘approval’ that you meet Japan entry requirements before applying for the long-term visa.
For my case with a student visa, the educational institute applied for my COE. The COE was an email confirmation that I had to print and submit for my visa application.
Can I change from a tourist visa to a student visa in Japan?
Students may not enter Japan as a tourist and switch to a student visa within Japan. Japanese Immigration does not recommend this method for those who will ultimately be under another visa type.
What is the difference between a certificate of eligibility (COE), visa, and resident card?
The COE is required to even apply for a visa. For my case, it was an email from the school that I can just print out and use to apply for the visa and the resident card.
⚠️ Do print it and carry a copy with you always as I was asked to show mine at the airport when getting my resident card.
Visa Application
This was pretty straightforward and to just follow the checklist provided by the embassy and schedule your appointment! I got mine within 4 working days so it was a fuss-free easy process.
⚠️ Best is to apply right before you fly as it would impact your visa end-date. My end-date was much earlier because I had it processed earlier… However, you can always get an extension later on!
We couldn’t take pictures inside the embassy but here’s a picture I found from google search.
Resident Card and Part-Time Work Approval
Everything is done at customs at the airport itself
Resident Card
It is straightforward to just show your visa at the customs at Narita or Haneda airport. I noticed the staff do have their own records to state who is expected to receive the resident card. I’m assuming it is based on the information you provided the embassy when applying for the visa.
Part-Time Work Approval
I’ve seen in the SSAJ guide to fill in a form and prepare for it. I did that and it wasn’t required because they had their own form and it was much shorter.
The application will be done at the same counter, so just mention you would like to work part-time and they will have an additional stamp of approval on your resident card!
Updating Address on Resident Card
Lastly, this was probably the most mind-blowing experience for me. Thankfully, I was accompanied by a coworker who could help me navigate. But if you are not able to, google translate
“Moving Out” → “転出届 Tenshutsu Todoke”
and follow SSAJ’s guide. They are right that each office has their own forms, as I went to two different offices to register when I changed address. If you fill in wrongly, the staff are all nice and patient to help you understand.
The wait was about 30-45 mins for them to update your card. Snuck a shot in one of the municipal office 市役所
⚠️ Updating of address is to be done 14 days since you land.
⚠️ Remember to settle your National Health Insurance and Pension Scheme as well in the same session. The first office I went to had different counters for it, but the second office I went had them both done at the same counter.
⚠️ Note that if you change the address on the resident card, you would have to get a new National Health Insurance card that is from the municipal office of where you are staying!
Final Thoughts
I was blown away by how patient the staff was with me when I did the processing alone in another office. It was cute how when the older staff knew I was a foreigner, they did try their best to speak in English and I thank them for it.
I did get asked why I am 26 and not contributing to the pension scheme. That was because I am on a student visa so without an income, I can contribute 0 yen.
It was honestly a long and new experience for me since in Singapore, everything we have is digital and automatically updated via SingPass. Additionally, we are a very small country so we don’t have things like a guidebook or pamphlets to welcome you to the area.
Hotlines to reach out to
I was surprised by how thick and detailed the guidebook is. It covered english-speaking hospitals in the area, and what they specialise in, how to dispose of garbage, how foreigners can find support for job-seeking and even legal advice for foreigners. It was very in-depth and I thank Japan for being at this level of detail.
See you in the next post as I go through my process of finding accommodations and moving!