COE processing times

My CoE was submitted by my company on December 6th and got notice that it was approved today!

Visa type: Humanities and Dependant (mine and husband's)
Immigration office: Shizuoka
Submitted: Dec 6th, 2023
Approved: Jan 22nd, 2024
Total time: 47 days

Visa type: highly skilled + dependant spouse
Office: Tokyo
Submitted: Aug 10 2023 via a lawyer
Additional document request: first week of Jan 2024

Really hoping the document request is good news and things move quickly from here. Been lurking this thread since we submitted in August hoping for my turn to update.

My COE (electronic) was issued today.

Visa type: Engineering & Humanities
Immigration office: Sendai
Submitted: Nov 16 2023
Approved: Jan 23 2024
Duration: 68 Days

I was very surprised as I am from SEA and I expected the min. processing time to be 3 mos. According to the lawyer who submitted the application, it's because the documents were very detailed. For example, prior to this application, I have been to Japan 10 times, and I provided all those dates (with passport stamp photos) together with my application.

Good luck to everyone. I know waiting is difficult, but hang in there.

Submitted on Nov 2,
Still waiting. Long Term Resident/Nikkei-Jin for me, my son, and wife.
If it's gonna be rejected, how long does usually it takes?

I have submitted my COE around end of October. While my friends have gotten theirs as quick as in 2 weeks, unfortunately i�fve not received as of January 24th. While it is for sure discouraging, seeing you guys here waiting for as long 6 months gave me comfort in this agony. Well they say misery loves company. Let us not lose hope guys! We will receive our COE.And we will go to Japan one way or another! Although the waiting and not knowing has driven all of us a little on edge let us keep waiting.

anyone applied for HSP visa? how long did it take for you?

For those waiting to receive their COE or Visa, please read this to put your mind at ease.

The AVERAGE waiting time for receiving a COE is between 1-3 months. Keep in mind, this is the AVERAGE. Sometimes it takes less than a month to get it, sometimes more than 6 months.

If you've submitted your documents and everything and haven't heard back for many months, it could be just backed-up as there are always plenty of documents they need to go through. If it were to be rejected, you would have known much sooner, so please don't worry so much. In MOST cases, it's just that they're busy and processing many different requests and at worst, they might ask for more documentation, though most of the time they don't.

It also does depend on what country you're from as unfortunately some countries are considered "higher risk" for fraud and they may just do extra checks. For those waiting, just be patient and you'll get the information you're looking for.

Hello everyone
I am waiting my dependent coe from 2 months. When applied my husband visa was remaining 4 months. Now his visa is only 2 months remaining. Is there any chance of getting coe before his visa renewal? Do they issue dependent coe just for 2 months?

Visa type : Dependent
Application date : 27 Dec 2023
Issued date : 25 Jan 2024 (by email)

Applied by my company.

@macc
same problem visa only remaining 4 months
may be not issue dependent visa
waiting more than 4 months

I'm on a working visa, and I applied for a COE for my husband via a lawyer. The application was made on October 12, and still nothing. Next week, it will be 4 months. I can't believe it!!! Tell me that people who applied for a dependent COE finally received it after 4 months?

My husband had to come back as a tourist (his working holiday visa expired) and he's not allowed to work. We have our own life here, our apartment, and he had a job that he had to give up.

The lawyer told us 1 month, then 2 months, and soon 4 months and still nothing. Becoming crazy...

I had submitted my documents through a lawyer at Tokyo Immigration on August 8, 2023. Nothing is known yet. 6 months have passed and I have not received any response yet. Why is it taking so much time?

Applied CoE type: Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services

Job type: Software engineer
Nationality: USA
Highest education: Bachelor's degree

Submission date: December 20th, 2023
Submitted place: Tokyo
Status: Received COE January 25th, 2024

Is it possible to receive a COE on the weekend? Are the immigration offices still working on them even though the office is technically closed?

Visa type : Engineer/humanities
Application date : 24 Nov 2023
Current status: Waiting

Applied by my company.

For reference I am from America

Is there anyone with a similar situation to mine?

I have engineering visa and my partner's visa for spouse is arrived today.

Visa type: Dependant
Immigration office: Osaka
Submitted: Oct 18 2023
Received: Jan 26 2024

I contacted the immigration office twice. First, around Jan 5th, they said I should wait a bit because normally it will only takes 3 months. Secondly, I contacted again on Jan 24th, they said that they issued on that day and send it to my address, it took 2 days.

Now only have five months left on my own visa, still waiting for dependent visa for my wife.
If she doesn't receive it soon I think I won't even bother renewing my own visa, and just leave. too much time wasted, and instability created by that. I'm tired.

@Still Waiting

I don't blame you, that sounds frustrating. Hope it comes through asap for you.

I'm in a different dilemma. I finally got my CoE January 15th, which was delayed and in limbo for a while. (Was supposed to move to Japan to start work on January 9th -- incidentally causing me to have to cancel my flight/ housing arrangements in Japan)

I just applied for my Visa with my consulate in Los Angeles. For some reason they won't allow anyone to go in person to pick up the passport /visa once it's issued and are required to include a prepaid return envelope using only USPS.

Well, I found out my Visa was issued/ mailed out by the consulate but USPS appears to have lost the package.......

I'm about to say the hell with it and take it as a hint from the universe

Application Date: 29th August,2023
Received: January 25,2024
There were two COE applications for my employees. Immigration never asked for additional documents, no phone calls or verifications etc.

Shinagawa Tokyo immigration

By no means am i a religious person, but these japanese immigration office worker making me believe in prayers at this point. I pray everyone in this thread gets their CEO soon. Amen 🙏🏻

COE submitted: Oct 26th, 2023
COE Status: Still waiting as of 28th January.2024
Waiting period: 3 months 2 days.