Job Discussion Forums

Gamushara84 · Joined: 07 Mar 2007 Posts: 32 Location: Earth.

Hey all!

Is it true that in order to get a work visa for Japan, Japan immigration needs to have the original diploma?

Will something like a degree bearing transcript, or a certificate that has been apostilled work?

Thank you.

(I searched a FAQ and there was a post where someone wrote that he (she?) went to Japan before he graduated; he had completed his graduation requirements, didn't attend the ceremony and didn't pick up his diploma. Someone else said that he went to Japan with a certificate from his school saying he'd graduated. Is this possible?)

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Lose your original?
Hard to find in storage?
Don't want to risk parting with it temporarily?

All of those questions have been answered with yes. So, yes, immigration would prefer to see your original parchment, and in some cases they require it, but in some cases the immigration officials will also accept a substitute -- usually transcripts and a certified letter from your school.

Employers, on the other hand, may also accept a scanned copy, but they don't really need to see anything. The diploma/degree is for processing your visa.