How to Move to Japan
Japan is safe, orderly and increasingly open to foreign workers. The key document is the Certificate of Eligibility (COE): your employer, school or family in Japan applies for it first, and once you have it the actual visa at the embassy is quick and simple. The Specified Skilled Worker route opens many practical jobs (care, food, construction, hospitality).
How to use this guide
Pick the visa type below that matches your plan (work, study, etc.).
Tap it to open and read the simple steps and the papers you need.
Apply yourself on the official website. It's free — no agent needed.
Stay safe: never pay anyone who promises a "guaranteed" visa. Real applications are made on official government sites. Rules can change, so always double-check on the official website before you apply.
Japan embassies in Africa — addresses & directions
Once your employer or school obtains your Certificate of Eligibility (COE), you collect the visa at the Japanese embassy/consulate in your country. Japan has embassies across Africa — e.g. Abuja, Accra, Nairobi, Pretoria, Cairo, Rabat, Dakar, Addis Ababa and Yaoundé. Use the locator.
Tap “Open in Google Maps” to see the exact location, get directions, and confirm the current address & opening hours.
No. 9 Bobo Street, off Gana Street, Maitama, Abuja
+234 90 6000 9099 Open in Google Maps259 Baines Street (cnr Frans Oerder St), Groenkloof, Pretoria 0181
+27 12 452 1500 Open in Google MapsFifth Avenue Extension, West Cantonments, Accra
+233 30 276 5060 Open in Google MapsDon’t see your country? Japan has more missions across Africa — find the nearest one on the official locator.
COE: 1–3 months; embassy visa: a few days after that.
Visa fee is low (around ¥3,000–6,000); COE is free to apply for.
1, 3 or 5 years, renewable; permanent residence possible over time.
Can I apply?
You'll usually need to tick these boxes:
- A job offer from a Japanese company in a professional field.
- A relevant university degree (or significant experience).
- The job matches your field of study.
What to do, step by step
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1
Get a job offer
A Japanese employer offers you a professional role.
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2
Employer applies for the COE
The employer applies for your Certificate of Eligibility at the immigration bureau in Japan.
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3
Apply for the visa
Once you receive the COE, apply for the visa at the Japanese embassy in your country.
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4
Travel to Japan
Enter Japan and receive your residence card (zairyū) at the airport.
Papers you need
Helpful tips
- The COE is the hard part — once you have it, the visa is almost automatic.
- Basic Japanese helps daily life, though many tech jobs use English.
Who submits this application
You don't fill this form yourself — your employer does.
For this visa, there is no public application a candidate can submit alone. Your employer files everything through their own official portal once you have an offer or a confirmed sponsor. A genuine employer never asks you to pay for this step.
See the official portal your employer uses
The Certificate of Eligibility (COE) — the key document for most Japan visas — is filed inside Japan by your employer, university, or a licensed immigration scrivener, not by you from abroad. Once they receive the COE, they send it to you to take to your nearest Japanese embassy/consulate for the actual visa stamp.
View official portalCOE: 1–3 months after passing the tests.
Skills + language test fees vary; Japan visa stamp ~¥3,000 (single) / ¥6,000 (multiple). COE is free.
SSW (i): up to 5 years. SSW (ii) in some fields can lead to long-term residence and family.
Can I apply?
You'll usually need to tick these boxes:
- Pass a skills test in your field and a Japanese language test (JLPT N4 / JFT-Basic).
- A job offer from an approved Japanese employer.
- Good health and conduct.
What to do, step by step
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1
Choose a field & pass the tests
Pass the skills test for your sector plus the basic Japanese test.
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2
Get a job offer
An approved employer offers you a role and support plan.
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3
Employer applies for the COE
The employer/support organisation applies for your Certificate of Eligibility.
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4
Apply for the visa & travel
Get your visa with the COE and travel to Japan.
Papers you need
Helpful tips
- This route does not need a university degree — skills + basic Japanese open the door.
- Tests are held in several countries; check official schedules.
Who submits this application
You don't fill this form yourself — your employer does.
For this visa, there is no public application a candidate can submit alone. Your employer files everything through their own official portal once you have an offer or a confirmed sponsor. A genuine employer never asks you to pay for this step.
See the official portal your employer uses
The Certificate of Eligibility (COE) — the key document for most Japan visas — is filed inside Japan by your employer, university, or a licensed immigration scrivener, not by you from abroad. Once they receive the COE, they send it to you to take to your nearest Japanese embassy/consulate for the actual visa stamp.
View official portalCOE: 1–2 months; visa quickly after.
Visa stamp ~¥3,000 (single entry); COE is free; plus tuition.
Course length; you can switch to a work visa after graduating.
Can I apply?
You'll usually need to tick these boxes:
- Acceptance at a Japanese school/university.
- Proof you can pay tuition and living costs.
What to do, step by step
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1
Get admitted
Receive acceptance from a Japanese institution.
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2
School applies for the COE
Your school applies for your Certificate of Eligibility.
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3
Apply for the visa
Use the COE to get your student visa at the embassy.
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4
Travel & get your card
Enter Japan and receive your residence card.
Papers you need
Helpful tips
- MEXT scholarships fully fund many African students — apply early.
- Students can work part-time (up to 28 hours/week) with permission.
Ready to apply? Do it yourself — free
Create your No account for you — your employer/school files the COE first
The Certificate of Eligibility (COE) — the key document for most Japan visas — is filed inside Japan by your employer, university, or a licensed immigration scrivener, not by you from abroad. Once they receive the COE, they send it to you to take to your nearest Japanese embassy/consulate for the actual visa stamp.
Create accountStart your Student visa application
This opens the official online application form — fill it in and pay the fee directly. No agent needed.
Start applicationCOE: 1–2 months.
Visa stamp ~¥3,000; COE is free.
Matches the main visa holder; renewable.
Can I apply?
You'll usually need to tick these boxes:
- Your spouse/parent holds a valid Japanese work or student status.
- A genuine family relationship.
What to do, step by step
-
1
Sponsor applies for the COE
The family member in Japan applies for your dependent Certificate of Eligibility.
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2
Apply for the visa
Use the COE to get your dependent visa at the embassy.
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3
Travel & register
Enter Japan and receive your residence card.
Papers you need
Helpful tips
- Dependents can work part-time (up to 28 hours/week) with permission.
- Keep relationship documents officially translated.
Ready to apply? Do it yourself — free
Create your No account for you — your employer/school files the COE first
The Certificate of Eligibility (COE) — the key document for most Japan visas — is filed inside Japan by your employer, university, or a licensed immigration scrivener, not by you from abroad. Once they receive the COE, they send it to you to take to your nearest Japanese embassy/consulate for the actual visa stamp.
Create accountStart your Dependent (family) visa application
This opens the official online application form — fill it in and pay the fee directly. No agent needed.
Start applicationMost Japan work visas need a job offer first
Browse visa-sponsored and remote jobs open to Africans, then build a CV tailored to Japan — both completely free.
Explore other destinations
Questions about Japan visas
How much does the Japan Work visa (Engineer / Specialist in Humanities) cost?
The Japan Work visa (Engineer / Specialist in Humanities) costs: Visa fee is low (around ¥3,000–6,000); COE is free to apply for. These fees were checked against the official source on 1 June 2026, and governments change them regularly.
How long does the Japan Work visa (Engineer / Specialist in Humanities) take?
Processing for the Japan Work visa (Engineer / Specialist in Humanities) takes cOE: 1–3 months; embassy visa: a few days after that. This is the official guide time and does not include the weeks you spend gathering documents beforehand.
How long is the Japan Work visa (Engineer / Specialist in Humanities) valid for, and does it lead to permanent residence?
The Japan Work visa (Engineer / Specialist in Humanities) is valid for 1, 3 or 5 years, renewable; permanent residence possible over time. This route can lead to permanent residence.
How much does the Japan Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) cost?
The Japan Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) costs: Skills + language test fees vary; Japan visa stamp ~¥3,000 (single) / ¥6,000 (multiple). COE is free. These fees were checked against the official source on 1 June 2026, and governments change them regularly.
How long does the Japan Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) take?
Processing for the Japan Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) takes cOE: 1–3 months after passing the tests. This is the official guide time and does not include the weeks you spend gathering documents beforehand.
How long is the Japan Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) valid for, and does it lead to permanent residence?
The Japan Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) is valid for sSW (i): up to 5 years. SSW (ii) in some fields can lead to long-term residence and family. This route can lead to permanent residence.
How much does the Japan Student visa cost?
The Japan Student visa costs: Visa stamp ~¥3,000 (single entry); COE is free; plus tuition. These fees were checked against the official source on 1 June 2026, and governments change them regularly.
How long does the Japan Student visa take?
Processing for the Japan Student visa takes cOE: 1–2 months; visa quickly after. This is the official guide time and does not include the weeks you spend gathering documents beforehand.
How long is the Japan Student visa valid for?
The Japan Student visa is valid for course length; you can switch to a work visa after graduating. This route does not by itself lead to permanent residence.
How much does the Japan Dependent (family) visa cost?
The Japan Dependent (family) visa costs: Visa stamp ~¥3,000; COE is free. These fees were checked against the official source on 1 June 2026, and governments change them regularly.
How long does the Japan Dependent (family) visa take?
Processing for the Japan Dependent (family) visa takes cOE: 1–2 months. This is the official guide time and does not include the weeks you spend gathering documents beforehand.
How long is the Japan Dependent (family) visa valid for, and does it lead to permanent residence?
The Japan Dependent (family) visa is valid for matches the main visa holder; renewable. This route can lead to permanent residence.
Fees and processing times last checked against official government sources on 1 June 2026. Always confirm on the official portal before paying anything.