COE still processing after 10+ months
Has anyone experienced a COE taking this long for an Engineer visa?
Any similar experiences or advice would be appreciated.
Format:
• Application office:
• Application Date:
• COE received on:
Type of Visa: HSP, Engineer, Instructor, BMV,
spouse/dependent, etc.
Request for further:
My case:
• Application office: Shinagawa / Tokyo Immigration
• Application Date: September 5th, 2025
• COE received on: Still processing
Type of Visa: Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services
spouse/dependent, etc.: None
Request for further: None officially requested by immigration so far.
Notes:
• IT-related position
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant major
• Around 3 years of relevant work experience
• JLPT N1
• Category 3 company
• Small company
• First time hiring a foreign employee
• No official request for additional documents from immigration so far
• Request for expedited processing / petition submitted
• Immigration’s usual answer has only been “still under review”
• Recently, when I called immigration directly, they said they would send an internal email.