Researcher visa: RIKEN

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VISA RIKEN Japan Researcher VISA RV Working VISA

Researcher visa

https://www.riken.jp/en/careers/newcomers/visa/researcher/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

International researchers will require a RESEARCHER visa to work at RIKEN in Japan. The visa application process can take three months or more. Please allow enough time to ensure it will be ready in time to start your employment at RIKEN. The RIKEN laboratory that you work with will be able to assist with all the necessary paperwork.

VISA application procedures

1.RIKEN will apply for the COE (Certificate of Eligibility) in lieu of you.
Contact your RIKEN host laboratory for the application check sheet, fill it out completely (all applicable information), and return it with all the required items listed below.
※ It may take about 2 months for it to be granted by the Japanese Immigration Bureau.
2.RIKEN will send you the original COE as soon as it is granted.
3.Please apply for the visa to enter Japan at the nearest Japanese embassy or consulate with the COE plus any other required items. For the other required items, please check the Working visa (MOFA) website.
※ It may take about 1 week for it to be granted.

Notes:

The entire visa application process may take 3 months or more including mail delivery.
Please keep the original COE and bring it with you to Japan. It is a requirement to show it to the immigration officer when entering Japan, together with the visa in your passport.

RIKEN required items for COE (Certificate of Eligibility) application

Application check sheet (Sample (PDF 191.5KB))
A copy of passport
A photo (4cm x 3cm, taken within the last 3 months to reflect your current appearance; full-face view, no hat, taken in front of a plain background)
Curriculum vitae

Notes

The Residence Card (RC) will be provided to you at the airport upon entering Japan, this is your ID while you live and work in Japan. The residence card must be carried with you at all times.

Working VISA

https://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/long/visa1.html

(Professor, Artist, Religious activities, Journalist, Business manager, Legal/Accounting services, Medical services, Researcher, Instructor, Engineer/Specialist in humanities/International services, Nursing care)

Period of stay	5 years, 3 years, 1 year or 3 months Only for Business manager : 5 years, 3 years, 1 year, 4 months or 3 months
Necessary documents	Passport One visa application form (nationals of Russia, CIS countries or Georgia need to submit two visa application forms) One photograph (nationals of Russia, CIS countries or Georgia need to submit two photographs) Certificate of Eligibility (Note) - the original or one copy (If you have an electronic Certificate of Eligibility, please present it at the visa application counter or submit a printed copy) 　Chinese nationals must also submit the following documents: Copy of the Chinese Family Register Temporary Residence Permit or Residence Certificate (If the applicant does not have a family register within the region under the jurisdiction of the embassy or consulate-general where the application will be made) 　(Note) Depending on the nationality of the applicant, other documents may be necessary in addition to the above. For details please refer to the web site of a Japanese embassy or consulate-general in your area. 　(Note) What is a Certificate of Eligibility (COE)? 　A Certificate of Eligibility, which is issued by a regional immigration authority under the jurisdiction of the Immigration Services Agency of Japan, certifies that the foreign national conforms to the conditions for landing in Japan (which means the activity stated in the application is not false and it is one of the activities (except Temporary Visitor) stipulated in the Immigration Control Act). For details, check the website of the Immigration Services Agency of JAPAN . (A proxy in Japan can make an application of COE) 　By presenting COE, the visa application at the Embassy or Consulate-General and the landing examination at the passport control will be processed smoothly. However, please note that a COE does not guarantee the issuance of a visa. 　A visa application for this type of visa could be made without COE. However, the applicant will be required to submit a large amount of verification documents and it could take a long time (several months) to process.

Period of stay

5 years, 3 years, 1 year or 3 months
Only for Business manager : 5 years, 3 years, 1 year, 4 months or 3 months

Necessary documents

Passport
One visa application form (nationals of Russia, CIS countries or Georgia need to submit two visa application forms)
One photograph (nationals of Russia, CIS countries or Georgia need to submit two photographs)
Certificate of Eligibility (Note) - the original or one copy (If you have an electronic Certificate of Eligibility, please present it at the visa application counter or submit a printed copy)

　Chinese nationals must also submit the following documents:

Copy of the Chinese Family Register
Temporary Residence Permit or Residence Certificate (If the applicant does not have a family register within the region under the jurisdiction of the embassy or consulate-general where the application will be made)

　(Note) Depending on the nationality of the applicant, other documents may be necessary in addition to the above. For details please refer to the web site of a Japanese embassy or consulate-general in your area.

　(Note) What is a Certificate of Eligibility (COE)?

　A Certificate of Eligibility, which is issued by a regional immigration authority under the jurisdiction of the Immigration Services Agency of Japan, certifies that the foreign national conforms to the conditions for landing in Japan (which means the activity stated in the application is not false and it is one of the activities (except Temporary Visitor) stipulated in the Immigration Control Act). For details, check the website of the Immigration Services Agency of JAPAN

. (A proxy in Japan can make an application of COE)

　By presenting COE, the visa application at the Embassy or Consulate-General and the landing examination at the passport control will be processed smoothly. However, please note that a COE does not guarantee the issuance of a visa.

　A visa application for this type of visa could be made without COE. However, the applicant will be required to submit a large amount of verification documents and it could take a long time (several months) to process.

Apr 8, 2026 at 12:59 AM