Medical Services - Required Documents
The Medical Services visa status is for activities involving medical services performed by physicians, dentists, and other legally qualified professionals.
| Applicable Activities | Activities involving medical services performed by physicians, dentists, or other legally qualified professionals |
|---|---|
| Period of Stay | 5 years, 3 years, 1 year, 3 months |
List of Eligible Qualifications
The Japanese qualifications covered by this visa status are as follows.
Category 1 Eligible Qualifications:
- Physician (医師)
- Dentist (歯科医師)
Category 2 Eligible Qualifications:
- Pharmacist (薬剤師)
- Public Health Nurse (保健師)
- Midwife (助産師)
- Registered Nurse (看護師)
- Assistant Nurse (准看護師)
- Dental Hygienist (歯科衛生士)
- Radiological Technologist (診療放射線技師)
- Physical Therapist (理学療法士)
- Occupational Therapist (作業療法士)
- Orthoptist (視能訓練士)
- Clinical Engineer (臨床工学技士)
- Prosthetist and Orthotist (義肢装具士)
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
- Required documents differ depending on whether you are a physician/dentist or hold another qualification.
- 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 processing delays 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.
- Submitted documents will not be returned in principle. If you wish to have them returned, please inform the office at the time of application.
- You may be requested to submit additional documents during the screening process.
Application for Certificate of Eligibility (New)
This application is for those who wish to enter Japan with the Medical Services visa status for the first time.
Common Required Documents (All Categories)
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. Write the applicant’s name on the back of the photo and attach it to the photo section of the application form.
3. Return envelope - 1
Write the recipient’s address on a standard envelope and attach stamps for registered mail (404 yen).
Category 1 Additional Documents (Physician/Dentist)
4. Document certifying physician or dentist qualification
A document certifying that the applicant holds a Japanese qualification as a physician or dentist (copy of license or certificate, etc.).
Category 2 Additional Documents (Other than Physician/Dentist)
5. Document certifying possession of a Japanese qualification
A document certifying that the applicant holds one of the Category 2 qualifications listed in List of Eligible Qualifications above (copy of license or certificate, etc.).
6. Overview of the employing institution
Materials outlining the employing institution. For institutions such as hospitals and clinics that require permission to establish, the date of receiving such permission must be stated.
Application for Change of Status of Residence
This application is for those who are already residing in Japan with a different visa status and wish to change to the Medical Services visa status.
Common Required Documents (All Categories)
1. Application for Change of Status of Residence - 1 copy
2. Photograph - 1
4cm (H) x 3cm (W), taken within 6 months, front-facing, without hat, plain background. Not required for those under 16 years old.
3. Passport and Residence Card
For presentation (if unable to present a passport, a statement of reasons explaining why).
Category 1 Additional Documents (Physician/Dentist)
4. Document certifying physician or dentist qualification
A document certifying that the applicant holds a Japanese qualification as a physician or dentist (copy of license or certificate, etc.).
Category 2 Additional Documents (Other than Physician/Dentist)
5. Document certifying possession of a Japanese qualification
A document certifying that the applicant holds one of the Category 2 qualifications listed in List of Eligible Qualifications above (copy of license or certificate, etc.).
6. Overview of the employing institution
Materials outlining the employing institution. For institutions such as hospitals and clinics that require permission to establish, the date of receiving such permission must be stated.
Application for Extension of Period of Stay
This application is for those who are already residing in Japan with the Medical Services visa status and wish to extend their period of stay.
Common Required Documents (All Categories)
1. Application for Extension of Period of Stay - 1 copy
2. Photograph - 1
4cm (H) x 3cm (W), taken within 6 months, front-facing, without hat, plain background. Not required for those under 16 years old or for extensions of 3 months or less.
3. Passport and Residence Card
4. Certificate of Residence Tax Taxation (or Non-Taxation) and Tax Payment Certificate
Must show total annual income and tax payment status. Issued by the ward/city/town office of the place of residence as of January 1st. If a single certificate includes both total annual income and tax payment status (whether taxes have been paid), submitting just that one certificate is sufficient.
Category 1 Additional Documents (Physician/Dentist)
Only the common documents listed above need to be submitted. Additional documents are not required in principle.
Category 2 Additional Documents (Other than Physician/Dentist)
5. Certificate of Employment
A certificate of employment or other document from the employing institution that certifies the nature of duties and remuneration.
Additional Documents for First Extension After Changing Jobs (Category 2 Only)
If a person other than a physician/dentist is applying for an extension of period of stay for the first time after changing jobs, the following documents must also be submitted.
6. Document certifying possession of a Japanese qualification
A document certifying that the applicant holds one of the Category 2 qualifications listed in List of Eligible Qualifications above (copy of license or certificate, etc.).
Reference Links
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