Designated Activities (Domestic Worker) - Required Documents
The Designated Activities (Domestic Worker) visa status is for foreign nationals employed by diplomats or foreign nationals holding certain statuses of residence (such as Business Manager, Legal/Accounting Services) who engage in domestic work.
| Applicable Activities | Activities as a domestic worker employed by diplomats, etc. |
|---|---|
| Period of Stay | Period individually designated by the Minister of Justice (within 5 years) |
Required Documents by Application Type
- Application for Certificate of Eligibility (New)
- Application for Change of Status of Residence
- Application for Extension of Period of Stay
- Application for Acquisition of Status of Residence
Important Notes Before Applying
- For questions about application forms and required documents, please contact the Immigration Information Center. (TEL: 0570-013904, IP phone/overseas: 03-5796-7112)
- Applications with incomplete documents may result in significant delays in examination or denial of permission.
- “Applicant” refers to the foreign national who wishes to enter or stay in Japan.
- All certificates issued in Japan must be submitted within 3 months of the date of issue.
- Documents written in foreign languages must be accompanied by a Japanese translation.
- In principle, submitted documents will not be returned. If you wish to have originals returned that are difficult to reacquire, please request this at the time of application.
- Additional documents not listed on this page may be requested during the examination process.
- The requirements for foreign nationals who may invite domestic workers and foreign nationals who may engage in activities as domestic workers are stipulated in the Ministry of Justice Public Notice, so please refer to it.
Application for Certificate of Eligibility (New)
This application is for those who wish to enter Japan with this status of residence for the first time.
1. Application for Certificate of Eligibility - 1 copy
2. Photograph - 1
4cm (H) x 3cm (W), taken within 6 months before the application, front-facing, without hat, plain background, clear image.
3. Return envelope - 1
Write the recipient’s address on a standard envelope and attach stamps for simplified registered mail.
4. Copy of employment contract - 1
Must include details of activities, employment period, remuneration, and other conditions.
5. Documents proving the applicant’s conversational ability in the language used by the employer in daily life - as appropriate
For example, if the employer uses English in daily conversation, submit documents proving the applicant’s English proficiency.
6. Documents proving the employer’s personal information, position, and status of residence
- (1) Copy of passport (or residence card) - 1 copy
- (2) Certificate of employment - 1 copy
- (3) Organization chart (showing the head of the office and the relationship between the head of the office and the employer) - 1 copy
7. Other
If the employer’s status of residence is “Business Manager” or “Legal/Accounting Services,” submit copies of the passports or residence cards of family members living with the employer.
Application for Change of Status of Residence
This application is for those already residing in Japan with a different status of residence who wish to change their activities to those under this status.
1. Application for Change of Status of Residence - 1 copy
2. Photograph - 1
4cm (H) x 3cm (W), taken within 6 months before the application, front-facing, without hat, plain background, clear image. Not required for those under 16 years old.
3. Passport and Residence Card
Present at the counter.
4. Copy of employment contract - 1
Must include details of activities, employment period, remuneration, and other conditions.
5. Documents proving the applicant’s conversational ability in the language used by the employer in daily life - as appropriate
For example, if the employer uses English in daily conversation, submit documents proving the applicant’s English proficiency.
6. Documents proving the employer’s personal information, position, and status of residence
- (1) Copy of passport (or residence card) - 1 copy
- (2) Certificate of employment - 1 copy
- (3) Organization chart (showing the head of the office and the relationship between the head of the office and the employer) - 1 copy
7. Other
If the employer’s status of residence is “Business Manager” or “Legal/Accounting Services,” submit copies of the passports or residence cards of family members living with the employer.
Application for Extension of Period of Stay
This application is for those already residing in Japan with this status of residence who wish to continue the same activities.
1. Application for Extension of Period of Stay - 1 copy
2. Photograph - 1
4cm (H) x 3cm (W), taken within 6 months before the application, front-facing, without hat, plain background, clear image. Not required for those under 16 years old or for extensions of 3 months or less.
3. Passport and Residence Card
Present at the counter.
4. Copy of employment contract - 1
Must include details of activities, employment period, remuneration, and other conditions.
5. Residence tax taxation (or non-taxation) certificate and tax payment certificate - 1 each
Must show total annual income and tax payment status. Issued by the municipal government office where you reside as of January 1. If a single certificate shows both total annual income and tax payment status, only one needs to be submitted. Not required for domestic workers of diplomatic mission members.
6. Copy of employer’s residence card - 1
Application for Acquisition of Status of Residence
This application is for those already residing in Japan who wish to acquire this status of residence.
1. Application for Acquisition of Status of Residence - 1 copy
2. Photograph - 1
4cm (H) x 3cm (W), taken within 6 months before the application, front-facing, without hat, plain background, clear image. Not required for those under 16 years old.
3. Documents according to the following categories - 1
- (1) For those who have renounced Japanese nationality: Documents proving nationality
- (2) For those other than (1) above who need to acquire a status of residence: Documents proving the reason
4. Passport
Present at the counter.
5. Copy of employment contract - 1
Must include details of activities, employment period, remuneration, and other conditions.
6. Documents proving the applicant’s conversational ability in the language used by the employer in daily life - as appropriate
For example, if the employer uses English in daily conversation, submit documents proving the applicant’s English proficiency.
7. Documents proving the employer’s personal information, position, and status of residence
- (1) Copy of passport (or residence card) - 1 copy
- (2) Certificate of employment - 1 copy
- (3) Organization chart (showing the head of the office and the relationship between the head of the office and the employer) - 1 copy
8. Other
If the employer’s status of residence is “Business Manager” or “Legal/Accounting Services,” submit copies of the passports or residence cards of family members living with the employer.
Reference Links
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