EPA Nurses, Care Workers, and Candidates - Required Documents
The Designated Activities (EPA Nurses, Care Workers, and Candidates) visa status is for nurse and care worker candidates and qualified professionals from Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam who engage in activities in Japan based on Economic Partnership Agreements (EPA).
| Applicable Activities | Activities of nurse/care worker candidates and qualified professionals based on EPA |
|---|---|
| Period of Stay | 1 year, 6 months, or a period individually designated by the Minister of Justice |
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
Important Notes Before Applying
- The acceptance of EPA-based nurse and care worker candidates is conducted through JICWELS (Japan International Corporation of Welfare Services). Individuals do not apply directly; procedures are conducted through the accepting organization.
- For questions about application forms and required documents, please contact the Immigration Information Center. (TEL: 0570-013904)
- Applications with incomplete documents may result in significant delays in examination or denial of permission.
- 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.
Application for Certificate of Eligibility (New)
This application is for those entering Japan for the first time based on EPA. Please check the applicable category below.
Nurse Candidate
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. Resume and documents proving nursing-related qualifications of the applicant
Copy of nursing license from the home country, educational history certificates, etc.
5. Documents regarding the accepting organization
- Documents showing the outline of the accepting organization (pamphlet, etc.)
- Certificate of registered matters - 1 copy
- Copy of financial statements for the most recent fiscal year - 1 copy
6. Copy of employment contract - 1
Must include details of activities, employment period, remuneration, and other conditions.
7. Training plan for working as a nurse, etc. - 1
Must include training content, training period, training supervisors, etc.
8. Documents issued by JICWELS regarding the acceptance decision - 1
Documents proving that the acceptance coordination based on the EPA has been completed.
Nurse
For those who wish to work as a nurse after passing the nursing examination based on EPA.
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 nursing license - 1
Copy of the nursing license obtained by passing the Japanese national nursing examination.
5. Copy of employment contract - 1
Must include details of activities, employment period, remuneration, and other conditions.
6. Documents showing the outline of the accepting organization
- Certificate of registered matters - 1 copy
- Copy of financial statements for the most recent fiscal year - 1 copy
- Pamphlet showing the outline of the facility, etc.
7. Documents issued by JICWELS
Confirmation documents regarding activities as a nurse based on EPA.
Care Worker Candidate
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. Resume and documents proving care-related qualifications and educational background of the applicant
Copy of relevant qualifications from the home country, educational history certificates, work experience certificates, etc.
5. Documents regarding the accepting organization
- Documents showing the outline of the accepting organization (pamphlet, etc.)
- Certificate of registered matters - 1 copy
- Copy of financial statements for the most recent fiscal year - 1 copy
6. Copy of employment contract - 1
Must include details of activities, employment period, remuneration, and other conditions.
7. Training plan for working as a care worker - 1
Must include training content, training period, training supervisors, study support plan for the national care worker examination, etc.
8. Documents issued by JICWELS regarding the acceptance decision - 1
Documents proving that the acceptance coordination based on the EPA has been completed.
Care Worker
For those who wish to work as a care worker after passing the care worker examination based on EPA.
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 care worker registration certificate - 1
Copy of the registration certificate obtained by passing the Japanese national care worker examination.
5. Copy of employment contract - 1
Must include details of activities, employment period, remuneration, and other conditions.
6. Documents showing the outline of the accepting organization
- Certificate of registered matters - 1 copy
- Copy of financial statements for the most recent fiscal year - 1 copy
- Pamphlet showing the outline of the facility, etc.
7. Documents issued by JICWELS
Confirmation documents regarding activities as a care worker based on EPA.
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 to this status. Please check the applicable category.
Change from Nurse Candidate to Nurse
For candidates who wish to change their status to nurse after passing the national nursing examination.
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 nursing license - 1
Certificate of passing the Japanese national nursing examination or copy of nursing license.
5. Copy of employment contract - 1
Must include details of activities, employment period, remuneration, and other conditions.
6. Documents showing the outline of the accepting organization
- Certificate of registered matters - 1 copy
- Copy of financial statements for the most recent fiscal year - 1 copy
7. Documents issued by JICWELS
Confirmation documents regarding activities as a nurse based on EPA.
Change from Care Worker Candidate to Care Worker
For candidates who wish to change their status to care worker after passing the national care worker examination.
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 care worker registration certificate - 1
Certificate of passing the Japanese national care worker examination or copy of registration certificate.
5. Copy of employment contract - 1
Must include details of activities, employment period, remuneration, and other conditions.
6. Documents showing the outline of the accepting organization
- Certificate of registered matters - 1 copy
- Copy of financial statements for the most recent fiscal year - 1 copy
7. Documents issued by JICWELS
Confirmation documents regarding activities as a care worker based on EPA.
Change from Other Status of Residence
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. Documents required for the applicable category in the new application
Submit the documents required for the applicable category in the new application above (Nurse Candidate, Nurse, Care Worker Candidate, Care Worker), excluding the application form, photograph, and envelope.
Application for Extension of Period of Stay
This application is for those who wish to extend their current period of stay. Please check the applicable category.
Extension for Nurse Candidate
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. Training implementation status report - 1
Must include training content, progress, study status for the national nursing examination, etc.
6. Documents showing the outline of the accepting organization
- Certificate of registered matters - 1 copy
- Copy of financial statements for the most recent fiscal year - 1 copy
7. Documents issued by JICWELS
Confirmation documents regarding the continuation of candidate acceptance based on EPA.
Extension for Nurse
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. Copy of nursing license - 1
Copy of valid nursing license.
6. Documents showing the outline of the accepting organization
- Certificate of registered matters - 1 copy
- Copy of financial statements for the most recent fiscal year - 1 copy
7. Residence tax taxation (or non-taxation) certificate and tax payment certificate - 1 each
Must show total annual income and tax payment status.
Extension for Care Worker Candidate
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. Training implementation status report - 1
Must include training content, progress, study status for the national care worker examination, etc.
6. Documents showing the outline of the accepting organization
- Certificate of registered matters - 1 copy
- Copy of financial statements for the most recent fiscal year - 1 copy
7. Documents issued by JICWELS
Confirmation documents regarding the continuation of candidate acceptance based on EPA.
Extension for Care Worker
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. Copy of care worker registration certificate - 1
Copy of valid care worker registration certificate.
6. Documents showing the outline of the accepting organization
- Certificate of registered matters - 1 copy
- Copy of financial statements for the most recent fiscal year - 1 copy
7. Residence tax taxation (or non-taxation) certificate and tax payment certificate - 1 each
Must show total annual income and tax payment status.
Reference Links
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