A man hospitalized in Japan

What is "Designated Activities" (Medical Stay and Accompanying Persons)?

Among the status of residence called Designated Activities, the categories of Medical Stay and Accompanying Persons (Attendants) are granted to foreign patients (including those undergoing full medical check-ups) who visit Japan for the purpose of receiving medical treatment, and to their accompanying persons.

Before entry, applicants must obtain a Medical Stay Visa issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. After landing, they stay under the "Designated Activities" status as defined by the Ministry of Justice and the Immigration Services Agency (Notification No. 25: Medical Stay; Notification No. 26: Accompanying Persons).

Eligible Fields and Covered Activities

  • Medical treatment at a medical institution (including inpatient and outpatient care)
  • Full medical check-up, health screening, or cancer screening
  • Dental treatment
  • Recuperation (including spa/hot spring therapy within 90 days)
  • Other medical and recuperative activities as directed by a Japanese medical institution

Accompanying persons are those who visit Japan to assist the foreign patient with daily needs. Non-relatives may also accompany the patient if necessary. However, accompanying persons may not engage in any income-generating business or remunerated activities.

Period of Stay and Visa Validity

  • Period of Stay: Up to 90 days, 6 months, or 1 year (determined based on medical condition)
  • Visa Validity: Up to 3 years if necessary
  • Multiple-Entry Visa: Available when each stay does not exceed 90 days (a treatment schedule prepared by a physician must be submitted at the time of application)

※ If the planned period of stay exceeds 90 days, hospitalization is required. In this case, the patient must obtain a Certificate of Eligibility through a proxy (a staff member of the accepting hospital or a relative residing in Japan) from the nearest regional immigration bureau before applying for a visa.

Application Process (Two Stages)

  1. For first-time entry from abroad
    Contact a registered guarantor agency (medical coordinator, travel agency, etc.) to arrange treatment and obtain the "Certificate of Scheduled Medical Treatment from the Medical Institution and Letter of Guarantee from the Guarantor Agency" → Apply for a visa at the Japanese embassy or consulate in your country
  2. For those planning hospitalization exceeding 90 days
    A staff member of the accepting hospital or a relative residing in Japan acts as a proxy and submits a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) application to the nearest regional immigration bureau → After obtaining the COE, submit it together with other required documents when applying for a visa at the Japanese embassy or consulate
  3. For those already residing in Japan who wish to change or renew their status to Medical Stay
    Submit an application for Change of Status of Residence, Extension of Period of Stay, or Acquisition of Status of Residence at the nearest regional immigration bureau

Overview of Application Requirements

  • The applicant must be scheduled to receive medical treatment, examination, or recuperation at a medical institution in Japan
  • The accepting medical institution must be confirmed through a guarantor agency (at the time of visa application)
  • The applicant must be able to cover all costs of the stay (proven by financial documents, prepayment/deposit, medical insurance, sponsor, etc.)
  • For accompanying persons: the purpose must be to assist the patient, and no remunerated activities may be conducted
  • For stays exceeding 90 days with hospitalization: a Certificate of Eligibility must be obtained in advance

Requirements for hospitalization and accompanying person activities are set forth in the Ministry of Justice Notification.

List of Required Documents

【Visa Application (at Japanese Embassy/Consulate)】Main Documents for Foreign Patients

  1. Passport
  2. Photo
  3. Visa Application Form (Ministry of Foreign Affairs PDF)
  4. Certificate of Scheduled Medical Treatment from the Medical Institution and Letter of Guarantee from the Guarantor Agency (Ministry of Foreign Affairs PDF)
  5. Documents proving sufficient financial resources (e.g., bank statements)
  6. Identity verification documents (varies by nationality; please confirm with the embassy or consulate where you are applying)
  7. Certificate of Eligibility (only required when hospitalization exceeds 90 days; see Ministry of Justice: Certificate of Eligibility Application)
  8. Treatment Schedule (when applying for a multiple-entry visa; prepared by a physician and obtained through a guarantor agency)

Accompanying persons must submit, among the above, a passport, photo, visa application form, and identity documents. Please confirm the details with the relevant embassy or consulate.

【Certificate of Eligibility Application (Before Entry / Hospitalization Exceeding 90 Days)】Ministry of Justice

  • Application for Certificate of Eligibility (with photo attached)
  • Return envelope (with stamp for registered mail)
  • Certificate of Acceptance of Foreign Patient issued by the Japanese hospital (Form PDF)
  • Documents explaining planned activities (hospital information, treatment schedule, accommodation and contact details before/after hospitalization)
  • One of the following documents proving ability to cover all costs of stay:
    　・Proof of prepayment or deposit to hospital / Certificate of private medical insurance and policy copy / Bank balance certificate / Payment guarantee from a sponsor or support organization
  • For accompanying persons: documents regarding planned activities (schedule, accommodation, contact details, relationship with patient) and proof of financial capacity

【Change / Extension / Acquisition of Status of Residence (Within Japan)】Ministry of Justice

Main documents commonly required: Application for Change of Status of Residence (or Extension/Acquisition application), photo, passport and Residence Card (for inspection), Certificate of Acceptance of Foreign Patient issued by a Japanese hospital (form varies by application type), documents describing planned activities, and proof of financial capacity. For details by application type, please refer to the Immigration Services Agency: "Designated Activities" (Medical Stay and Accompanying Persons).

References and Inquiries