Visa-related Information

Residence Status

In principle, the visa status given to study or do research is “Student.” In order to apply for a visa, students need to acquire a Certificate of Eligibility. To acquire a Certificate of Eligibility and for other visa application procedures, you should contact the International Student Section.
 
For detailed information, please click here.

【International Student Section】
　　E-mail：ryugakusei-g.c[at]gs.mail.u-tokyo.ac.jp

Extension of Period of Stay (Status of Residence: “Student”)

Application Period
You may apply from three (3) months before the expiration date of your current period of stay until the expiration date itself.
Please note that remaining in Japan after the expiration date without completing the procedure constitutes illegal overstay. We strongly recommend that you begin preparing your application well in advance.
 
Application Procedures
① Request preparation of application documents at the International Student Section
<Required documents>
・Student ID card
・Residence card
・Passport
・Photograph (4 cm × 3 cm, taken within the last 3 months)
・Request for Issuance.xlsx
・Application for Extension of Period of Stay.xlsx
   ➡Please refer to 【Sample】.pdf when completing the form.
 Notes:
    -If handwritten, use a black pen only. Erasable pens (e.g. friction pens) are not permitted.
　-Double-sided printing is not allowed.
　-A total of five (5) pages, including Pages 1 and 2 prepared by the university, must be submitted to the Immigration Services Bureau.
　-Preparation of the documents to be completed by the affiliated institution takes approximately 10 days to 2 weeks.

② Receive documents from the university
You will receive a complete set of documents required for submission.

③ Submit the Application to the Immigration Services Bureau
<Required documents>
・Application for Extension of Period of Stay
・Residence card
・Passport
・Certificate of Enrollment
・Academic Transcript (For research students: Certificate of Research Activities)
・Application fee: JPY 6,000

Change of Residence Status (to “Student”)

Application Procedure
① Request preparation of application documents at the International Student Section
<Required documents>
・Student ID card
・Residence card
・Passport
・Photograph (4 cm × 3 cm, taken within the last 3 months)
・Request for Issuance (Documents Prepared by the Organization) *available at the university counter
・Application for Change of Status of Residence *available at the university counter
Notes:
    -If handwritten, use a black pen only. Erasable pens (e.g. friction pens) are not permitted.
　-Double-sided printing is not allowed.
　-A total of five (5) pages, including Pages 1 and 2 prepared by the university, must be submitted to the Immigration Services Bureau.
　-Preparation of the documents to be completed by the affiliated institution takes approximately 10 days to 2 weeks.

② Receive documents from the university
You will receive a complete set of documents required for submission.

③ Submit the Application to the Immigration Services Bureau
<Required documents>
・Application for Change of Status of Residence
・Residence card
・Passport
・Letter of Admission or Certificate of Enrollment
・Application fee: JPY 6,000



Contact:
International Student Section
ryugakusei-g.c[at]gs.mail.u-tokyo.ac.jp (Please replace [at] with @.)


Special Re-entry Permit

Before temporarily leaving Japan, be sure to obtain permission from supervisor and notify the International Student Section.

Foreign nationals in possession of a valid passport and Residence Card who will be re-entering Japan within 1 year of their departure to continue their activities in Japan are, in principle, not required to apply for a re-entry permit. This is called a Special Re-entry Permit.
 
Please check the box on the embarkation card for "Re-entrant" to use this system. This system is free of charge.
If your period of stay expires within 1 year of temporarily leaving Japan, please ensure that you re-enter Japan before the expiration of your period of stay. 
 
  • Remember to take your Residence Card or alien registration card when you temporarily leave Japan, as you will need to present it to the immigration officer at the port of embarkation and disembarkation.
  • You are still able to use the Special Re-entry Permission process even if you have applied for an extension to your period of stay and wish to leave Japan temporarily during the processing period.

Permission for Activities Not Permitted by Status of Residence

As international students coming to Japan intend to study and research at university, students are assigned the residency status of "College Student." Part-time work is not permitted under this status unless permission is granted by the Immigration Bureau. To apply for this permission, submit the prescribed application form and other required documentation.

Application Procedures

Submit the items listed below to an Immigration Bureau office in person. If the request is approved, the certificate of permission will be issued in about two to three weeks after the application. In addition, you can simultaneously apply for an extension of your period of stay along with this application for part-time work permission.

Items Required for Application

  1. Application for Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted under the Status of Residence Previously Granted (available at Immigration Bureau offices, and downloadable from the Ministry of Justice‘s website)
  2. Residence Card / Alien Registration Card
  3. Passport
 
Notes
  • Those who have been granted the status of residence of "College Student" based on the landing permission (excluding those who have been granted a period of stay of 3 months) are able to file for this application following acquisition of landing permission at the port of entry. In this case, please use this application form.
  • International students of the University of Tokyo do not need to obtain this work permit when they work as a Research Assistant or Teaching Assistant at the university.
  • Be sure to notify the administrative office of your faculty or graduate school when you receive the work permit for part-time jobs.
  • International students are limited to 28 hours of part-time work per week, and 8 hours a day during summer or winter breaks.
  • Part-time work is not permitted during leaves of absence from the university.
  • The spouse of an international student residing in Japan as a dependent is required to obtain a similar work permit if he or she wishes to engage in part-time work.

Visa-related Information

Immigration Bureau