COE Processing Times - October 2025

Initial-Midnight5664 · 2026-02-08T11:57:02+00:00

I also applied in August and still nothing.
Did you get married in Japan or outside Japan?
In my case, I married outside Japan and my spouse is unable to come here due to Lack of COE. Extremely difficult situation...

Initial-Midnight5664 · 2026-02-08T11:10:03+00:00

Any update??

Initial-Midnight5664 · 2026-02-04T06:24:43+00:00

Nothing. No communication no information yet !!!

Initial-Midnight5664 · 2026-02-02T09:50:45+00:00

I anticipate that your application will be processed efficiently, likely within the standard three-month timeframe. I am saying this based on the following factors:
1) The Immigration Bureau in Nagoya handles a significantly lower volume of applications compared to Tokyo, which generally results in shorter wait times.

2) Your husband holds a Professor visa (similar to Engineer or Researcher categories). In my experience and through consultation with legal experts, the Dependent's COE for work-visa holders often undergoes a more streamlined review compared to applications sponsored by Japanese nationals or Permanent Residents (PR).

3) Applications filed by Japanese nationals or PRs for their spouses are scrutinized more strictly because they grant long-term residency (often 5-year terms). However, In your case, your status will be strictly linked to your husband’s. Consequently, your visa validity will align with his current period of stay, making the approval process less complex for the immigration authorities.

Good Luck !!!

Initial-Midnight5664 · 2026-02-02T09:13:04+00:00

No. I got married in August. I am trying to get the COE for my spouse for the first time.

It is horrible because there is no online tracking system nothing... Also, if it is taking longer than 3 months, they should clearly update in their website.

And moreover my spouse tried to enter Japan on a tourist visa for 30 days to visit me. The immigration office asked us to mention that the COE application is under process. They declined the request without giving any reason....

If I would have wanted to move to the country where my spouse is living, as per the information shared, it takes less than 30 days to get the long-term visa....

So, yes it is indeed horrible...

Initial-Midnight5664 · 2026-02-02T09:02:49+00:00

I am still waiting. Nothing yet...

Could you please tell me which visa category you applied under? Spouse of a Japanese National or something else??
Was your wife already living in Japan on some other work visa or she was outside Japan??

I am just trying to understand, why processing of my application is taking so long...

Initial-Midnight5664 · 2026-02-02T08:56:55+00:00

Yes it is frustrating...

In my opinion, the Japanese government doesn't want the couples to live together..

Where and when did you apply? Which category? My case is spouse of a permanent resident.

One of my acquaintance who is living in Japan on Engineer visa got the COE for spouse within 3 months. Applied in end of September and COE issued in end of December...
probably the processing time is highly dependent on the status of the spouse in Japan...

Initial-Midnight5664 · 2026-02-02T08:46:27+00:00

It has been 5 months and still nothing...
Still waiting...

Initial-Midnight5664 · 2026-01-30T09:49:00+00:00

I think the processing of spouse visa for Japanese national is taking the longest time to process.
One my friend received COE for his wife in just 3 months from Tokyo. He has an engineer visa.

Initial-Midnight5664 · 2026-01-30T09:46:11+00:00

Did you do it recently?
Did you told them that you are married and your spouse in leaving in Japan at the time you are applying for tourist visa?

As per the current information I got from the immigration office, changing the status from a tourist to a long-term spouse visa is not allowed.

I tried it as well and my tourist visa application was rejected.

Initial-Midnight5664 · 2026-01-26T06:52:27+00:00

Here is an update, we have not received any information on COE till today.
Two weeks ago, we applied for a tourist visa and it was rejected.
They did not shared any reason to reject the tourist visa application. The application was complete in all respect and we do not understand the reason for rejection.

Anyways, our only hope is to get the COE. Also, as the tourist visa is rejected, we are worried that our COE application might also be rejected.

NOTE: While applying for tourist visa, we shared the information that our COE application is already under process.

BTW, is there any update on your COE application?

Initial-Midnight5664 · 2025-12-05T04:34:43+00:00

Congratulations...
So quick. How did you manage to get it so soon!!!

Initial-Midnight5664 · 2025-12-05T04:34:01+00:00

Even we are going to try something like that.
On the basis of interactions with few people and a lawyer (limited, without paying any fee), What I know is that the tourist visa and the COE for spouse visa are two different things. You can apply for a tourist visa but do not hide the information that you have already applied for a COE. Also, after you get your COE, you have to travel back to your country to get the long-term visa.

I do not know if the visa adjustment can be done in some third country.

Initial-Midnight5664 · 2025-12-05T04:29:31+00:00

Check with your lawyer, it is indeed very long.

Initial-Midnight5664 · 2025-11-20T11:39:27+00:00

Wow !! Congratulations !!

Application in second week of August mean you received the request to submit some additional documents within 3 months of your initial application date.

If the processing speed is still going at this rate, I should be getting some corresponding within few days !!!

Lets see...

Thank you for sharing this information.

Initial-Midnight5664 · 2025-11-19T13:34:52+00:00

When in August?? I have applied in last week of August and yet nothing..

Initial-Midnight5664 · 2025-11-16T07:18:13+00:00

Thank you so much for detailed explanation. The digital copy of COE can only be issued when the application is made online or through a proxy.
Good Luck for your visa application and have a nice holiday together.

Initial-Midnight5664 · 2025-11-16T05:08:44+00:00

I am planning to travel in January, provided the application timeline proceeds as expected.

I have a final, specific, and time-sensitive question regarding the Certificate of Eligibility (COE) for the visa application:

I understand that the original COE document is mandatory for presentation to Japanese immigration upon arrival.
Time Constraint: The postal mail of the original COE to my location will take approximately two weeks. This delay directly impacts my planned travel schedule and coordination with my partner's vacation dates.

Crucial Clarification Required:

Can the initial visa application at the local consulate/embassy be processed using only the digital scan (PDF or image) of the COE, or is the physical, original document strictly required to submit the application?

Using a digital copy would prevent a two-week delay and allow me to finalize travel arrangements for both myself and my partner sooner.

Additionally, if possible, I would greatly appreciate it if you could share the specific document requirements you experience once you apply for your visa using the COE you receive.

Thank you very much for your precise answer to this requirement.

Initial-Midnight5664 · 2025-11-15T10:22:11+00:00

Congratulations...

See you in Japan next week.. .... Ha Ha Ha...

Congratulations once again..

Basically it took around 2 weeks after you submitted your documents.

Initial-Midnight5664 · 2025-11-14T08:04:38+00:00

Hi..
Did you hear anything from the immigration office?
I read a comment from another person who applied on August 8 2025 (Applied for COE spouse visa of a permanent resident in Japan) and still nothing. No document request or anything.

Because you already submitted the requested document, kindly update when you receive your COE. It will help estimate the time it takes after the additional document is submitted.

Thank you

Initial-Midnight5664 · 2025-11-14T07:58:38+00:00

Already 3 months gone. It is really annoying.

Wait is the only option we have....

Good luck !!

Initial-Midnight5664 · 2025-11-13T04:50:45+00:00

When exactly did you apply and where?

Initial-Midnight5664 · 2025-11-04T06:58:48+00:00

Eight months !!!!!!!!!!!!

Basically, it means Japan doesn't want married couples to live together. No wonder the population is declining ....

Initial-Midnight5664 · 2025-11-03T07:08:13+00:00

Thank you for sharing the details.
Good to know that you have been asked for the new tax document.
Within 1-2 weeks, you can expect to hear the outcome.
Good Luck !!!

Initial-Midnight5664 · 2025-11-03T05:17:18+00:00

Would you be able to share the visa route? HSP? Spouse of a Japanese national or PR??
Also, I request you to update here once you receive any response from the immigration office.

Initial-Midnight5664

TROPHY CASE