Japan Immigration Guide 2026

Japan Immigration Processing Times 2026｜COE, Extension, Change of Status and Permanent Residence

If you have applied for a Certificate of Eligibility, an extension of your period of stay, a change of status of residence or permanent residence, it is natural to wonder when a decision will arrive. This guide explains the latest processing-time information published by Japan’s Immigration Services Agency and how those averages should be interpreted in practice.

COE Extension Change of Status Permanent Residence 2026 Update

Japan publishes average immigration processing times every month

The Immigration Services Agency of Japan publishes average processing times for residence-related applications handled by regional immigration offices nationwide.

Since applications decided in October 2024, the data has generally been published monthly based on the month in which the decision was made.

The main procedures covered include:

For the latest figures for each individual status of residence, check the official Immigration Services Agency table for May 2026 approvals.

Permanent residence averaged 292.1 days for May 2026 approvals

Permanent residence is one of the procedures currently taking a particularly long time. For cases approved in May 2026, the average period until disposition was 292.1 days, which is approximately 9.6 months.

Therefore, the fact that a permanent residence application has been pending for six months does not, by itself, mean that the case is unusually delayed.

How to read Japan’s immigration processing-time data correctly

1. It does not show when your pending application will finish

The published figures are retrospective averages based on applications that were actually approved during the relevant month.

An average of 60 days does not mean that an application filed today will necessarily be approved exactly 60 days later.

2. Refusals and withdrawn applications are not included

The Immigration Services Agency explains that the published figures represent the period from receipt of an application until permission is granted. Applications that were refused or withdrawn are not included in these averages.

Therefore, exceeding the average processing period does not mean that refusal is more likely.

Conversely, a long review period should not be interpreted as evidence that approval is more likely.

3. For extensions and changes of status, the decision date may differ from the actual completion of review

For extension and change-of-status applications, the disposition date used in the statistics is generally the date on which permission is notified.

As a result, some of the published period may reflect time after the substantive review was already complete but before the applicant received the new residence card or formal notification.

4. The figures are nationwide averages

The published data is not a separate average for the Tokyo Immigration Bureau, Yokohama Branch, Osaka Immigration Bureau or another individual office.

Actual processing conditions can therefore differ from office to office.

A COE does not always take only one month

A Certificate of Eligibility, commonly called a COE, is an important procedure for many foreign nationals planning to enter Japan for medium- or long-term residence.

However, COE processing times differ substantially depending on the status of residence involved. Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services, Business Manager, Skilled Labor, Specified Skilled Worker, Dependent and Spouse of Japanese National applications should not all be expected to take the same amount of time.

Work-related applications may require examination of the employer and job duties. Business Manager applications may require closer examination of the actual business operation. Family-based applications may require detailed review of the relationship and living circumstances.

For an explanation of the COE system itself, required documents and the application procedure, see our Certificate of Eligibility guide .

Four factors that can affect immigration processing time

At Tommy’s Legal Service, we do not look only at the number of days an application has been pending. We generally review immigration cases from four perspectives.

Does exceeding the average processing time mean refusal?

An average is simply statistical information based on previous approved cases. An individual application may take longer because of additional examination, supporting-document requests, the immigration office’s workload or other case-specific circumstances.

At the same time, a long examination period should not be interpreted as evidence that approval is likely.

Permission or refusal is determined on the basis of the individual facts and supporting evidence in each case.

Will immigration tell me the status if I call?

Applicants naturally become concerned when a case takes longer than expected and may consider calling immigration to ask how far the review has progressed.

However, the Immigration Services Agency explains that it generally cannot provide detailed progress information for an individual pending application. Once examination is completed, the applicant will normally receive the relevant notice by postcard, email or another prescribed method.

If an application was filed through the online residence application system, the applicant or authorized representative can check the displayed processing status online.

Specified Skilled Worker cases may require more than a simple processing-time comparison

For Specified Skilled Worker applications, the published average number of days may not be enough to understand the actual situation.

In 2026, for example, special operational measures have affected the issuance of Certificates of Eligibility for certain new overseas applicants in the food service sector because of the sector’s projected acceptance limit.

Accordingly, a Specified Skilled Worker case should be reviewed by looking at the sector, application type, filing date and current administrative operation, rather than processing-time averages alone.

What you can do before filing

Applicants cannot control how long immigration examination will take. However, careful preparation before filing can reduce avoidable problems.

• Prepare early based on your intended entry date or current period of stay
• Check all required documents before filing
• Make sure application forms and supporting evidence are consistent
• Explain relevant changes such as a job change, resignation, divorce or company change
• Check documents from the employer or accepting organization in advance
• Prepare an explanation where unusual or potentially unclear circumstances exist

The objective is not simply to submit as many documents as possible. The important point is to present a coherent application supported by evidence that matches the facts.

Summary｜Use processing times as a reference, not a deadline

• Japan’s Immigration Services Agency publishes average residence-application processing times monthly
• As of August 7, 2026, the latest listed fiscal-year data is for May 2026 approvals
• The average is not a completion date for your pending application
• Refused and withdrawn applications are not included in the averages
• Extension and change-of-status figures may include time until notification
• The figures are nationwide averages
• Exceeding the average does not by itself indicate refusal
• The applicant, employer, supporting documents and current examination trends should all be reviewed

If you are waiting for a COE, extension, change of status or permanent residence decision, do not rely on the average number of days alone. Consider your filing details, additional-document requests, current period of stay, employer circumstances and other relevant facts together.