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New Religious Activities Visa

Note: This page is intended for those with a visa coordinator role at YWAM Japan locations and ministries that are under the legal Religious Corporation (世界青年宣教会).

As YWAM Japan is a registered Religious Corporation, we can assist foreign YWAMers who do not already have residency in Japan in receiving a Religious Activities Visa.

If you have a new staff member joining you who do not yet have residency permission to live in Japan, part of their process to join as YWAM Japan staff is to receive a visa from Japanese Immigration. This page details this process. Please follow this process carefully.

If you have any questions about anything on this page, please communicate with the National Office.

The Process​

  • The incoming staff member will inform you that they have reached at least the Minimum Support Level of financial support you have agreed upon and would like to begin this process.
  • Request required documentation from the applicant via both email and physical mail (detailed below).
  • Fill out the Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) Application form (As found on the Immigration website). You may need further information from the applicant to help you.
  • Inform the National Office of this visa application and request an Invitation/Warranty letter, which they will mail to you.
  • Take the application form and all required documentation to your local Immigration office. You may need some form of YWAM ID (i.e. business card) with you in case they ask.
  • Once you receive the CoE, mail it to the applicant.
  • Apply for a Certificate for Completion of Registration to the ERFS system and fill out a Declaration form. Email both of these documents to the applicant.
  • They will then go to their local Japanese Embassy or Consulate and submit a Visa Application form, CoE, Certificate for Completion of Registration to the ERFS system, Declaration form, and passport in order to apply for their visa.
  • Once they have their visa, they should be in communication with you as they book their flight to Japan. They must enter Japan within 3 months of receiving their visa.

Required Documentation for CoE​

From the applicant:

  • A 4cm x 3cm portrait photograph (should be clear, with a plain background, and recently taken. Applicant in photo should be facing forward, without sunglasses, hats, etc.)
  • Copy of applicant's passport photo page (the copy must be clear and all information legible)
  • Two original, signed letters on church stationary, not copies, from their sending church: Letter of Dispatch and Letter of Release. (It may be helpful for you to provide templates for them to use, which will make translation easier.)

From you:

  • Application form
  • Envelope with your address and 404 yen postage stamp (simplified registered mail)
  • Invitation/Warranty letter - from National Office
  • Japanese translations of the Letter of Dispatch and Letter of Release
  • A letter (in Japanese) explaining why we do not have employment insurance, as requested in question number 3 on page 3 of the application form. We do not provide a salary, and living expenses are covered by sending church. (This may not be necessary, but was requested by at least one immigration office.)