Eligibility Quiz
Documents Required
Core Application Documents
- Application form — One copy of the "Application for Recognition of Refugee Status / Eligibility for Complementary Protection" form (available in 30+ languages from the Immigration Services Agency)
- Photograph — One photo (4cm × 3cm) taken within 6 months, without a hat, front view, upper body. If you do not have residence status, submit two photos.
- Identity and residence documents (must be presented in person):
- Passport or Certificate of Status of Residence
- Residence Card (if you hold one)
- Permission statements for provisional landing, crew landing, emergency landing, or temporary refuge (if applicable)
- Provisional release permit or supervised release decision notice (if applicable)
Personal Statement
A detailed personal statement is not mandatory but is critical to your application. It should cover:
- Your life from birth to the present
- Specific persecution you have experienced or fear
- Why you were or would be persecuted (connect your circumstances to one of the five protected grounds)
- Why you cannot obtain protection from your government
- What would happen if you returned home
- Concrete details: names of persecutors, dates, locations, specific incidents
- Answers to: who, what, why, when, where, how
Write in as much detail as possible; length is not a limiting factor. Avoid inconsistencies with statements you make during interviews.
Supporting Evidence
Submit all available documents to substantiate your claim:
- News and media — Newspaper or magazine articles about you, your activities, or persecution in your country
- Political or religious documents — Writings expressing your political opinion, membership cards, religious texts, or evidence of religious practice
- Legal documents — Search warrants, arrest warrants, court records, or indictments
- Organizational membership — Student ID, union cards, party membership documents, or letters from organizations
- Country of origin information — Reports from the U.S. State Department, UK Home Office, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, or other reputable sources about conditions in your country
- Personal attestations — Letters from family, friends, colleagues, or organizations describing your persecution or activities
- Medical records — Documentation of torture, abuse, or injuries, including photographs
- Photographs — Images of injuries, damage to property, or other evidence of persecution
Translation Requirements
All documents must be translated into Japanese. You are responsible for translation costs. This can be expensive if you have a large volume of evidence. Consider:
- Professional translation services (typically ¥100–300 per page depending on language and complexity)
- Community organizations that may offer discounted or free translation
- Certified translations if the document is official