How to apply for a visa in Japan

If you are unfamiliar with the visa process here is a quick run down (this is coming from the U.S. anyway)

1. Apply for Certificate of Eligibility. Keep a copy as you will need all the same information later.

2. Either wait in U.S. for this to come back, and apply at the consulate to have this turned into a visa
OR
2. Submit when you arrive
OR
2. Have a friend/coworker submit your paperwork, and move to Japan on a 90 day tourist visa while you await the paperwork process. The hiccup is that this can be a bit of a gamble. If your paperwork is not back by day 90, you MUST leave the country or risk getting a reentry ban when you do try to leave. We took this route.

3. If your paperwork is not back by day 90 you must leave the country, as was the case for us. We chose to leave and fly to South Korea. It is about the same price as a train ride from Kyoto to Tokyo and takes only an Hour. We chose to go via Peach Airlines, a small ANA airline that mainly flies domestic and to a couple other countries. The flight was great, and you get to board via the tarmac. They also have a beautiful terminal all to themselves, a small waiting area that is very clean, and with their own immigration and customs it is very efficient.

4. Re-enter Japan on a new 90 day tourist visa. We hear they may give you grief about this, as you aren't really supposed to do a visa run, but you can get back in. BE SURE YOU HAVE A FLIGHT LEAVING JAPAN. Even if you cancel it the minute you get back in the country. When you leave South Korea, you must prove you have a flight leaving Japan. They will always give you 90 days, so even if you book a flight a week from the day you are re-entering, you will get the full 90 day visa. This is what we did, and recommend it as a short stay raises less questions. You may be asked what your purpose is to come back, so plan to know what tourist activities you are participating in!

5. When your paperwork COE arrives, go to your LOCAL immigration office. Although we live in Kyoto our paperwork was submitted in Tokyo. We thought we needed to go there, but when we arrived they said we should have gone to our local branch (and were a bit annoyed with us).

6. Take an older Japanese male with you, if you can. Japanese men are much more respected than you, or than your female friends. They will have an easier time working with the Japanese immigration people. You don't have to like it, or think its right, but do it anyway. It will make your life way easier.

7. You will need to fill out a form to have your COE changed into a visa, you can do this at the office (it's short). It will be the same information you put on your COE, so bring that copy you made when this all started. They will then ask you to put your address on a postcard, and will send it when they want you to come back to the office.

8. If you are working for a company, there will be paperwork for them to fill out, but you can mail it in. They will provide you with an envelope and the form, and you must buy an 80yen stamp. This is very specific and a purposeful amount -you are paying for the process via postage stamp.

9. In two weeks to a month you will get the postcard, and need to go back to the office to finalize the paperwork and get your stamp.

Tips:
-If you can get your residency card from your local ward, that will help. If not, you don't have to have it.
-Apply through smaller satellite offices. We hear that they process faster and can be easier to work with than the main offices in Tokyo.