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This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

--- advice_coe_holders [2025/03/16 04:14] – [After entry] particles
+++ advice_coe_holders [2025/04/17 17:22] (current) – [Re-entry] particles
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-====== Advice for Certificate of Eligibility (COE) holders ======
+====== Advice for New Residents of Japan ======
-First of all, congratulations on obtaining your [[https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/procedures/16-1.html|Certificate of Eligibility]]! As someone who recently went through this process, I want to congratulate you on getting to the start of the end of a very, very long journey.
+First of all, congratulations on obtaining your [[https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/procedures/16-1.html|Certificate of Eligibility]] and/or visa! As someone who recently went through this process, I want to congratulate you on getting to the start of the end of a very, very long journey.
 On this page, I offer tips on what you should do next and think about before and immediately after you enter Japan.
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 ===== Entry =====
-  * Make sure you've made copies of your Certificate of Eligibility and put them in multiple places when you pack your luggage. You need both your passport, with a valid visa sticker, and your COE, to enter Japan. The expiration date on the COE is what dictates your entry start and end dates, not the visa. Because the COE is just a piece of paper, I really suggest having multiple copies so that if your luggage is lost or stolen, hopefully you still have a backup copy with you somewhere.
+  * Make sure you've made copies of your Certificate of Eligibility and put them in multiple places when you pack your luggage. You need both your passport, with a valid visa sticker, and your COE, to enter Japan. The expiration date on the COE is what dictates your entry start and end dates, not the visa. Because the COE is just a piece of paper, I really suggest having multiple copies so that if your luggage is lost or stolen, hopefully you still have a backup copy with you somewhere. If you do not have a COE you can skip worrying about a COE.
   * You may be asked to show your visa and COE at your airport of choice when you embark on the way to Japan.
-  * When you arrive at your airport of choice, you will enter through the **visitor** line, not through any other line. However, you should make it clear to the staff working at the airport that you are a COE holder. Have your COE out and ready. Only some of the immigration stations can process people with COEs, especially at Haneda and Narita. It is at this point that you will be given your Residence Card.
+  * When you arrive at your airport of choice, you will enter through the **visitor** line, not through any other line. However, you should make it clear to the staff working at the airport that you are a COE holder. Have your COE out and ready. Only some of the immigration stations can process people with COEs, especially at Haneda and Narita. It is at this point that you will be given your Residence Card. If you do not have a COE, again, you should show your visa-stamped passport.
     * I'm sure you've already been made aware of this, but you must, from this point on, carry your Residence Card with you at all times to all destinations. In all practical terms, your Residence Card is your only Japan-issued government ID. If you ever lose your Residence Card, you must report it as lost or stolen at a police station and obtain a police report. Then, you must immediately to to immigration to get it replaced.
   * Remember to have your entry documents correct and complete the processing of any customs shipments you have pending. You likely need two stamped copies of your customs declaration for unaccompanied articles, so you can present them to your shipping partner at the airport. **Do not lose these documents.**
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     * Haven't moved yet? If you're preparing, consider Tokyo for the simple reason that we have a lot of foreigners here. It's very, very easy to accommodate foreigners in Tokyo.
     * See-also: [[https://tabunka.tokyo-tsunagari.or.jp/useful/guide_eng/|Comprehensive Living Guide for Foreign Residents in Japan]]
+===== Re-entry =====
+If you want to leave Japan temporarily, you need a Re-Entry Permit or Special Re-Entry Permit. The former requires an application, the latter requires no application. Both have limits on use. Generally, for special re-entry, you need to come back within 1 year. The thing about "Special" re-entry that makes it special is that it's issued at the airport and doesn't require paperwork.
+After airport security, you need to take your passport and your Residence Card not to the automated passport gates, but instead to the tables where there are re-entry slips. Complete the special re-entry slip with the pertinent information. Take it and your documents to the staffed immigration desk. They will staple your special re-entry permit into your passport, and subsequently, they will stamp your passport.
+Being sure not to forget your Residence Card, you can leave the country at your leisure with the Special Re-Entry Permit still stapled in your passport. On your return flight, you can complete the relevant information on the card.
+To re-enter, and often, just to board a flight to Japan, you will be asked to present your Residence Card, Passport, and Special Re-Entry permit. Once you arrive back in Japan, follow signs for re-entry.
+Do note that the permits are intended to remain stapled in your passport. Immigration will stamp the back of them with a seal, so you can't just get a new one if you lose yours. Avoid losing yours. If this happens, you most likely need to talk to immigration when you get back, and/or the police.