Researcher - Required Documents
The Researcher visa status is for activities involving research based on contracts with public or private organizations in Japan.
| Applicable Activities | Research activities based on contracts with public or private organizations in Japan (excluding activities falling under the Professor status) |
|---|---|
| Period of Stay | 5 years, 3 years, 1 year, 3 months |
Category Classification of Affiliated Organization
Required documents vary by category. Please check the applicable category before submitting your documents.
| Category | Applicable Organizations |
|---|---|
| Category 1 | Listed companies, mutual companies engaged in insurance business, national/local public bodies, independent administrative agencies, special corporations/authorized corporations, innovation-creating enterprises, companies meeting certain conditions, etc. |
| Category 2 | Organizations or individuals whose total withholding tax on employee salary income for the previous year is 10 million yen or more |
| Category 3 | Organizations or individuals that have submitted a statutory report summary of withholding tax records on employee salary income for the previous year (excluding Category 2) |
| Category 4 | Organizations or individuals not falling under Categories 1 to 3 |
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
- 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 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)
Common 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, clear image. 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. This will be used to return the application result (Certificate of Eligibility, etc.).
4. Documents proving the applicable category
Submit documents proving the category to which the affiliated organization belongs. If no applicable documents can be submitted, the organization falls under Category 4. (Check category classification)
Category 1
Submit any of the following applicable documents.
- Copy of the Shikiho (quarterly corporate report) or a document proving listing on a Japanese stock exchange
- Copy of a document proving establishment approval from the competent authority
- Documents proving the company is an innovation-creating enterprise (copy of subsidy grant decision notice, etc.)
- Documents proving the company meets certain conditions (copy of certification, etc.)
Category 2
Copy of the statutory report summary of withholding tax records on employee salary income for the previous year
Category 3
Copy of the statutory report summary of withholding tax records on employee salary income for the previous year
5. In case of employment under a dispatch contract (if applicable)
If the applicant is a dispatched worker, submit materials clarifying the activities at the dispatch destination (copy of working conditions notice (employment contract), etc.).
Additional Documents for Categories 3 and 4
6. Materials proving the applicant’s activities
Submit the applicable materials from the following.
- (1) When concluding a labor contract: A document specifying labor conditions issued to the worker based on Article 15, Paragraph 1 of the Labor Standards Act and Article 5 of its Enforcement Regulations
- (2) When assuming a position as an officer of a Japanese corporation: Copy of the articles of incorporation specifying officer remuneration, or copy of the shareholders’ meeting minutes resolving officer remuneration (for companies with a remuneration committee, copy of the committee minutes)
- (3) When transferring to a Japanese branch of a foreign corporation, or assuming a position as an officer of an organization other than a company: A document from the affiliated organization specifying the position (duties), period, and amount of remuneration to be paid
7. Documents proving the applicant’s educational background, work history, and other career experience
View details
- (1) A resume specifying the organizations where the applicant has worked in related duties, along with the content and duration of activities
- (2) For those subject to Criterion 1 of the Ministerial Ordinance, one of the following:
- (a) Graduation certificate from a university, a document proving completion of education equivalent to or higher than that, or a document proving the conferral of an advanced professional degree
- (b) Proof of research experience period (including research periods at graduate schools or universities)
- (3) For those subject to the proviso of the Ministerial Ordinance (transferees):
- (a) A document from the foreign organization where the applicant worked immediately before the transfer, specifying the duties, position, and remuneration for the past one year
- (b) Materials showing the relationship between the pre-transfer and post-transfer offices:
- Transfer within the same corporation: Certificate of registered matters for the branch of the foreign corporation, etc.
- Secondment to a Japanese corporation: Materials showing the capital relationship between the Japanese corporation and the seconding foreign corporation
- Secondment to a foreign corporation with an office in Japan: Certificate of registered matters for the branch of the foreign corporation, etc. + materials showing the capital relationship with the seconding corporation
8. Materials proving the business content
- (1) A brochure with detailed information on the workplace’s history, officers, organization, and business content (including major business partners and transaction records)
- (2) Other documents equivalent to (1) prepared by the workplace
9. Copy of financial statements for the most recent fiscal year
※ Only applicable when engaging in research duties through a transfer. For new businesses, submit a business plan.
10. Materials proving the reason for inability to submit the statutory report summary (Category 4 only)
- (1) For organizations exempt from withholding tax: Certificate of exemption from withholding tax for the foreign corporation, or other materials proving that withholding tax is not required
- (2) For other organizations:
- Copy of the notification of establishment of salary payment office
- One of the following: Copy of the income tax collection record calculation form for the most recent 3 months (with receipt stamp), or materials proving approval for special payment deadlines
Application for Change of Status of Residence
Common 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 before the application, front-facing, without hat, plain background, clear image. Write the applicant’s name on the back of the photo and attach it to the photo section of the application form.
3. Passport and Residence Card
4. Documents proving the applicable category
Submit documents proving the category to which the affiliated organization belongs. If no applicable documents can be submitted, the organization falls under Category 4. (Check category classification)
Category 1
Submit any of the following applicable documents.
- Copy of the Shikiho (quarterly corporate report) or a document proving listing on a Japanese stock exchange
- Copy of a document proving establishment approval from the competent authority
- Documents proving the company is an innovation-creating enterprise (copy of subsidy grant decision notice, etc.)
- Documents proving the company meets certain conditions (copy of certification, etc.)
Category 2
Copy of the statutory report summary of withholding tax records on employee salary income for the previous year (with receipt stamp)
※ When changing from “Student” to “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services” or “Researcher,” a document proving approval to use the online residence application system or an explanation regarding omission of submitted documents (reference form) may also be submitted.
Category 3
Copy of the statutory report summary of withholding tax records on employee salary income for the previous year (with receipt stamp)
5. In case of employment under a dispatch contract (if applicable)
If the applicant is a dispatched worker, submit materials clarifying the activities at the dispatch destination (copy of working conditions notice (employment contract), etc.).
Additional Documents for Categories 3 and 4
6. Materials proving the applicant’s activities
Same as No. 6 of the new application.
7. Documents proving the applicant’s educational background, work history, and other career experience
Same as No. 7 of the new application.
8. Materials proving the business content
Same as No. 8 of the new application.
9. Copy of financial statements for the most recent fiscal year
※ Only applicable when engaging in research duties through a transfer. For new businesses, submit a business plan.
10. Materials proving the reason for inability to submit the statutory report summary (Category 4 only)
Same as No. 10 of the new application.
Application for Extension of Period of Stay
Common 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 before the application, front-facing, without hat, plain background, clear image. Write the applicant’s name on the back of the photo and attach it to the photo section of the application form.
3. Passport and Residence Card
4. Documents proving the applicable category
Submit documents proving the category to which the affiliated organization belongs. If no applicable documents can be submitted, the organization falls under Category 4. (Check category classification)
Category 1
Submit any of the following applicable documents.
- Copy of the Shikiho (quarterly corporate report) or a document proving listing on a Japanese stock exchange
- Copy of a document proving establishment approval from the competent authority
- Documents proving the company is an innovation-creating enterprise (copy of subsidy grant decision notice, etc.)
- Documents proving the company meets certain conditions (copy of certification, etc.)
Category 2
Copy of the statutory report summary of withholding tax records on employee salary income for the previous year
Category 3
Copy of the statutory report summary of withholding tax records on employee salary income for the previous year
5. In case of employment under a dispatch contract (if applicable)
If the applicant is a dispatched worker, submit materials clarifying the activities at the dispatch destination (copy of working conditions notice (employment contract), etc.).
6. Residence tax certification (or non-taxation certification) and tax payment certificate (Categories 3 and 4 only)
Must show total annual income and tax payment status. Issued by the ward/city/town/village office of the place of residence as of January 1. If a single certificate shows both total income and tax payment status, only one needs to be submitted.
Additional Documents for First Renewal After Job Change (Categories 3 and 4)
When applying for renewal for the first time after changing jobs to a Category 3 or 4 organization, submit the following documents in addition to the above. However, No. 10 is not required for Category 3.
7. Materials proving the applicant’s activities
Same as No. 6 of the new application.
8. Materials proving the business content
Same as No. 8 of the new application.
9. Copy of financial statements for the most recent fiscal year
※ Only applicable when engaging in research duties through a transfer. For new businesses, submit a business plan.
10. Materials proving the reason for inability to submit the statutory report summary (Category 4 only)
Same as No. 10 of the new application.
Reference Links
- Immigration Services Agency - Status of Residence “Researcher” (Japanese)
- Document Checklist - New Application Table 1 (PDF)
- Document Checklist - New Application Table 2 (PDF)
- Document Checklist - Change of Status Table 1 (PDF)
- Document Checklist - Change of Status Table 2 (PDF)
- Document Checklist - Extension (PDF)
Need to apply for or change your status of residence in Japan?
Easily create your Japanese status of residence application.