Immigration Procedures
- What do you need?
The admission approval from the Japanese educational institution you have been accepted into (Japanese language institution, junior college, university or others)- A valid passport
- Visa from Japanese Embassy or Consulate from your home country
- Applicable status of residence
- Applying for Visas
- 1. When there is no "certificate of eligibility for a status of residence" issued
- Visa application is personally submitted by students intending to study in Japan at the Japanese Embassy or Consulate in their home country. The time required to process this visa application will take longer as the application documents will have to be sent back and forth between the student's home country and Japan.
- 2. When there is a "certificate of eligibility for a status of residence" issued
- Before applying for a visa, students intending to study in Japan or their proxies will apply for the "certificate of eligibility for a status of residence" and have it issued to them at Regional Immigration Bureaus in Japan. With this "certificate of eligibility" in hand, students will then personally apply for visas at the Japanese Embassy or Consulate in their home country. Unlike visa application without the "certificate of eligibility for a status of residence", this alternative has a shorter processing time.
- Immigration procedures for exam purpose
- Guarantor for immigration procedures
- Non-Japanese Registration
Registration procedures- Applications must be personally made at the ward/municipal office of their respective areas by filling in the Non-Japanese Registration application form and attaching 2 copies of photographs.
- Duty to carry the Non-Japanese Registration Card at all times and duty to return it upon permanent exit from Japan
- The Non-Japanese Registration Card has to be collected within the specified time as notified during the application. It is important that this Card is carried at all times and presented to authorized officials such as immigration officials or police officers when requested. Except when re-entry into Japan has been approved, it must be surrendered to the immigration officer at the port of exit.
- Permission for engaging in activities outside the status of residence scope
- Procedures for temporary exit from Japan
- Extending term of residence
- Changing status of residence
- Revocation of the status of residence
- Bringing dependents to Japan
Status of residence is categorized according to types of activities, statuses and positions that foreign residents are allowed to undertake in Japan. There are 27 types of statuses of residence and the ones applicable to international students for study in Japan are as follows.
| Type of educational institution | Status of residence | Term of residence |
|---|---|---|
| Universities | College Student | 2 years & 3 months 2 years 1 year & 3 months 1 year or 6 months |
| Junior colleges | ||
| Colleges of technology | ||
| Professional training colleges | ||
| Preparatory Japanese language courses offered at private universities and Junior colleges | ||
| Exchange programs (less than 1 year) | College Student | 1 year & 3 months 1 year or 6 months |
| Japanese language institutions (not including professional training colleges) |
Visas can be applied through either one of the procedures outlined below:
* Although applicants may personally apply for the certificate of eligibility for a status of residence, most of the time it is delegated to their proxy (institution etc.). Please check with your school on documentation requirements when applying for the "College Student" status of residence as each school may have its own requirements.
A "Temporary Visitor" visa is required when entering Japan to take an exam. When applying for this visa, the exam slip from the concerned school must be presented to the Japanese Embassy or Consulate in your home country. This visa allows the applicant 15, 30 or 90 days stay in Japan. If the applicant is admitted into a school during this period, the applicant may apply to change his/her status to "College Student" in Japan.
The regulation requiring applicants to have a guarantor for entry into Japan or for screening of status of residence was abolished in 1996. Nevertheless, if the applicant is unable to finance his/her expenses in Japan, a guarantor providing means to support the applicant is required.
Foreigners who plan to stay in Japan for more than 90 days are required to apply for the Non-Japanese Registration Card within 90 days from the date of entry in Japan, at the city/ward office in the area they are residing in.
The "College Student" status of residence granted for the sole purpose of studying in Japan and as such do not permit work. When planning to work part-time, a written consent from the current school must be obtained before applying for "Permission to Engage in Activities other than that Permitted under the Status of Residence Previously Granted" at the nearest Regional Immigration Bureau. Foreigners who have graduated from universities, junior colleges, graduate schools and professional training colleges who are holding "Designated Activities Visa" status of residence for the purpose of employment seeking activities, can now apply for permission to engage in activities outside of the visa scope.
Procedures for temporary exit from JapanForeigners in Japan planning to return to their home countries or visit other countries for a short period during their term of residence must apply for a re-entry permit at Regional Immigration Bureaus before leaving Japan. Pay attention to this requirement because failure to do so will necessitate you to apply for another visa at an oversea Japanese Embassy or Consulate.
Term of residence must be extended at Regional Immigration Bureaus when planning to stay in Japan longer than the term of residence initially applied for during the entry into Japan. (Usually, applications are received 2 months before its expiration). Illegally remaining in Japan will result in punishment and deportation.
Status of residence must be changed to a different type when activities initially applied for is discontinued to engage in other activities. The application must be filed at Regional Immigration Bureaus.
Engaging in income-generating businesses or activities without proper approval will result in punishment and deportation.
Policy on revocation of status of residence was established on December 2, 2004. Under this policy, status of residence can be revoked in cases where activities engaged in were falsely declared and/or submission of false personal history documents.
Status of residence may also be revoked if activities specified in the status of residence have not been performed for 3 months or more, unless with valid reasons.
Spouses and children of "College Student" holders can reside in Japan under the "Dependent" status of residence for a term of 2 years and 3 months, 2 years, 1 year and 3 months, 1 year or 6 months according to the holder's term of residence. It is recommended that international students bring their dependents once they are familiar with life in Japan and are economically stable.
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