Application for recognition of refugee status

Name of procedure	Application for recognition of refugee status
Procedural basis	The Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees (hereinafter referred to as the "1951 Refugee Convention") and the Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees (hereinafter referred to as the "Refugee Protocol") Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, Article 61-2
Individuals subject to procedure	Foreign nationals residing in Japan
Submission period
How to submit	As a general rule, applicants must fill in the application form with the required information, prepare the attached documents, and submit these to the Regional Immigration Services Bureau themselves. If the applicant is under the age of 16 or is unable to submit these documents due to illness or for other reasons, a relative may apply on behalf of the applicant.
Handling fee	There is no handling fee
Attached documents and number of copies	Document certifying that the applicant is a refugee (or a document claiming that the applicant is a refugee) - 1 copy Two photographs (4 cm high × 3 cm wide upper body photos of the subject facing the camera hatless taken within three months of submission date; name written on back) (three photographs for applicants without a status of residence) Presentation of the following documents is required Passport or Certificate of Eligibility (foreign nationals unable to present a passport or Certificate of Eligibility are to submit one copy of a document explaining the reason) Residence card (if applicable) For a foreign national being granted permission for provisional landing, landing permission for crew members, permission for emergency landing, landing permission due to distress, or landing permission for temporary refuge, the permission (Note) For a foreign national with a provisional release, the provisional release permit
Application format	Application for recognition of refugee status (available in multiple languages) Can be printed on standard Japanese A4 paper.
Procedures and examples for filling out forms	Please contact a Regional Immigration Services Bureau .
Where to apply	The Regional Immigration Services Bureau with jurisdiction over your place of residence (Please contact either a Regional Immigration Services Bureau or an Immigration Information Center (Tel: 0570-013904).)
Hours	Weekdays 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (The day or time may vary depending on the procedure, so contact the relevant Regional Immigration Services Bureau .)
Consultation counter	Regional Immigration Services Bureaus
Examination criteria	That the applicant is a refugee to whom the 1951 Refugee Convention applies according to Article 1 of the 1951 Refugee Convention or Article 1 of the Refugee Protocol.
Standard processing period	Six months
How to appeal	Information about requesting administrative review will be made available at the time of notification of the disposition for the application for recognition of refugee status.

A guide to recognition of refugee status procedures (multilingual version)

You will need Adobe Reader to view PDF documents.
If they do not display correctly, please try using the latest version.