Medical Stay and Accompanying Persons - Required Documents
The Designated Activities (Medical Stay and Accompanying Persons) visa status is for foreign nationals who wish to receive medical treatment at hospitals in Japan and their accompanying persons who provide daily life care.
| Applicable Activities | Activities of receiving medical treatment at hospitals in Japan and daily activities of accompanying persons |
|---|---|
| Period of Stay | 1 year, 6 months, 3 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 medical stay status of residence can be applied for when treatment is difficult within the short-term stay (90 days). If treatment can be completed within the period available under a short-term stay visa, please use a short-term stay visa.
- Accompanying persons are limited to relatives such as spouses, children, and parents of the medical stay patient, or equivalent persons who provide daily life care for the patient.
- 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 to receive medical treatment or to accompany a medical stay patient.
Medical Stay Patient
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. Certificate of planned treatment or medical certificate issued by a Japanese hospital - 1
Must include treatment content, planned treatment period, hospitalization/outpatient plans, etc.
5. Documents proving the ability to pay medical expenses
Submit applicable documents from the following:
- Bank balance certificate
- Medical expense guarantee letter (if there is a guarantor)
- Overseas travel insurance enrollment certificate (covering medical expenses)
6. Documents proving the residence during the stay in Japan - as appropriate
Hotel reservation confirmations, documents regarding accommodation facilities, etc.
7. Guarantee letter - as appropriate
Submit if there is a guarantor residing in Japan.
8. Documents proving the applicant’s occupation, income, etc. in the home country - as appropriate
Certificate of employment, income certificate, etc.
Accompanying Person
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. Documents proving the relationship with the medical stay patient - 1
Documents proving family relationships such as marriage certificate, birth certificate, family register, etc. If not a relative, a statement of reasons explaining the necessity of providing daily life care for the patient.
5. Copy of the medical stay patient’s Certificate of Eligibility application receipt, Certificate of Eligibility, or residence card - 1
Not required if applying simultaneously with the medical stay patient.
6. Documents proving the ability to pay stay expenses
Bank balance certificate, documents stating that the medical stay patient will bear the costs, etc.
7. Documents proving the residence during the stay in Japan - as appropriate
Hotel reservation confirmations, documents regarding accommodation facilities, etc.
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.
Medical Stay Patient
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. Certificate of planned treatment or medical certificate issued by a Japanese hospital - 1
Must include treatment content, planned treatment period, hospitalization/outpatient plans, etc.
5. Documents proving the ability to pay medical expenses
Submit applicable documents from the following:
- Bank balance certificate
- Medical expense guarantee letter (if there is a guarantor)
- Overseas travel insurance enrollment certificate (covering medical expenses)
6. Documents proving the residence during the stay in Japan - as appropriate
Hotel reservation confirmations, documents regarding accommodation facilities, etc.
Accompanying Person
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 proving the relationship with the medical stay patient - 1
Documents proving family relationships such as marriage certificate, birth certificate, family register, etc.
5. Copy of the medical stay patient’s residence card - 1
Must confirm that the medical stay patient holds the Designated Activities status of residence for medical stay.
6. Documents proving the ability to pay stay expenses
Bank balance certificate, etc.
Application for Extension of Period of Stay
This application is for those who wish to extend their current period of stay.
Medical Stay Patient
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. Certificate of treatment progress and future treatment plan issued by a Japanese hospital - 1
Must include treatment progress to date, continued need for treatment, planned treatment period, etc.
5. Documents proving continued ability to pay medical expenses
Bank balance certificate, renewal of medical expense guarantee letter, etc.
6. Documents proving the residence during the stay in Japan - as appropriate
Hotel reservation confirmations, documents regarding accommodation facilities, etc.
Accompanying Person
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. Documents proving the relationship with the medical stay patient - 1
Marriage certificate, birth certificate, family register, etc. Must be submitted even if there are no changes from the previous application.
5. Copy of the medical stay patient’s residence card - 1
Must confirm the medical stay patient’s current residence status.
6. Copy of medical certificate showing the treatment progress of the medical stay patient - 1
Documents proving that the medical stay patient continues to need treatment.
7. Documents proving the ability to pay stay expenses
Bank balance certificate, etc.
Reference Links
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